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CPOTE2022
7th International Conference on
Contemporary Problems of Thermal Engineering
Hybrid event, Warsaw | 20-23 September 2022
7th International Conference on
Contemporary Problems of Thermal Engineering
Hybrid event, Warsaw | 20-23 September 2022
Abstract CPOTE2022-1084-A
Book of abstracts draft
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Experimental tests of the integration of thermoelectric generators in a biomass boiler
Sergio USÓN, University of Zaragoza, SpainJavier ROYO, University of Zaragoza, Spain
Paula CANALÍS, University of Zaragoza, Spain
Thermoelectric generators (TEG) are based on Seebeck effect and produce electricity from a heat flow. Since they have no moving parts, they require low maintenance and provide quiet operation. On the other hand, they have low efficiency (what is less relevant when heat leaving the device at low temperature is used for other purposes) and they need suitable difference temperature (what requires careful thermal integration). In this framework, the integration of TEG in biomass boilers is a promising approach. It has been tested by including several TEG modules in a commercial pellet-fired 25 kWth boiler that has been modified and equipped with a monitoring system. The facility is described and some relevant experimental results are presented. For instance, the effect of TEG cooling is analyzed by comparing two options: i) tap water to be heated in order to produce sanitary hot water or ii) water from the heating circuit entering to boiler that is preheated while TEG cooling. Results show that more than 60W can be obtained by using 6 TEG and only a small fraction of heat released by biomass combustion. This power can contribute significantly to boiler’s ancillary consumption and would be significantly higher if more TEG were integrated, what would require additional boiler modifications.
Keywords: Thermoelectric generator, Biomass, Experimental pilot plant, Micro combined heat and power plant, Heat transfer
Acknowledgment: The authors would like to acknowledge European Regional Development Funds (FEDER) / Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) – Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) for funding the project TEGBIOSOL (RTI2018-09886-A-100). The use of "Servicio General de Apoyo a la Invesrtigación - SAI", Universidad de Zaragoza is also acknowledged.