Laminated thermoelectric power generation device capable of exchanging heat through heat convection

Abstract

The invention discloses a laminated thermoelectric power generation device for exchanging heat through convective heat exchange. The device comprises thermoelectric power generation sheets, cold plates, hot plates, cold plate connecting pipes, hot plate connecting pipes, cold plate inlet pipes, cold plate outlet pipes, hot plate inlet pipes and hot plate outlet pipes, the cold plates and the hot plates are rectangular flat plates and are alternately arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction, the thermoelectric power generation sheets are located in gaps between the cold plates and the hot plates and are uniformly arranged in a matrix manner in the horizontal direction, and the surfaces of the two sides of the thermoelectric power generation sheets are tightly attached to the cold plates and the hot plates respectively; the connecting pipes are connected with two adjacent layers of cold plates or hot plates, and the cold plate connecting pipes and the hot plate connecting pipes are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction; fluid flows in from the inlet pipe and flows out from the outlet pipe, and flowing directions of cold fluid and hot fluid are opposite. Flow channels are formed in the cold plate and the hot plate, the hot plate is heated by hot fluid, the cold plate is cooled by cold fluid, heat is transmitted to the thermoelectric power generation piece from the hot plate and then transmitted to the cold plate, and heat energy is converted into electric energy based on the thermoelectric conversion effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of thermoelectric conversion, and in particular to a stacked temperature difference power generation device that exchanges heat through convection heat exchange. Background Art

[0002] Based on the thermoelectric conversion effect, the thermoelectric power generation sheet can directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy through temperature difference. It has the characteristics of no pollution and no noise, and has advantages in the utilization of low-grade thermal energy. Compared with the traditional Rankine cycle, the power generation efficiency of thermoelectric conversion is very low. The voltage and power output of a single thermoelectric power generation sheet are very small. A large number of thermoelectric power generation sheets must be connected in series to meet the voltage required for practical applications. The application of thermoelectric power generation only depends on the temperature of the surfaces on both sides of the device. It is not limited to the form of cold and heat sources. Industrial waste gas, automobile exhaust, solar energy, liquefied natural gas, etc. can be combined with thermoelectric power generation to achieve energy recycling. In the industrial field, the heat exchanger is the most typical heat exchange equipment. Combining thermoelectric power generation with a heat exchanger, adding a thermoelectric power generation sheet between the hot fluid and the cold fluid, and continuously heating or cooling the thermoelectric power generation sheet through the convection heat transfer of the fluid, a stable temperature difference can be formed on the two sides of the thermoelectric power generation sheet, and then output electrical energy.

[0003] The geometric size of a single thermoelectric generator is relatively small, and the application of large-scale thermoelectric generators requires reasonable spatial layout, especially in application scenarios such as ships, to limit the size of the overall power generation device within a certain range. In addition, maintaining a stable temperature difference is a necessary condition for the application of thermoelectric power generation. The design of the power generation device needs to consider the form of convective heat transfer of cold and hot fluids, including the geometric structure of the flow channel, the heat transfer capacity between the fluid and the wall, and other factors. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a stacked temperature difference power generation device that exchanges heat through convective heat transfer, arranges a large number of temperature difference power generation sheets in a limited space, maintains the temperature difference on both sides of the temperature difference power generation sheets through convective heat transfer of cold and hot fluids, and realizes large-scale power generation based on the thermoelectric conversion effect.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange, the device comprising a temperature difference power generation sheet 1, a cold plate 2, a hot plate 3, a cold plate connecting pipe 4, a hot plate connecting pipe 5, a cold plate inlet pipe 6, a cold plate outlet pipe 7, a hot plate inlet pipe 8 and a hot plate outlet pipe 9; the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are rectangular flat plates with the same geometric dimensions, placed in the horizontal direction, the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are alternately arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction, a plurality of temperature difference power generation sheets 1 are located in the gap between the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3, the temperature difference power generation sheet 1 is a thin sheet structure, and its two side surfaces are respectively in close contact with the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3, and the temperature difference power generation sheets 1 are uniformly arranged in a matrix in the horizontal direction; the cold plate connecting pipe 4 connects two adjacent layers of cold plates 2, the hot plate connecting pipe 5 connects two adjacent layers of hot plates 2, the cold plate connecting pipe 4 and the hot plate connecting pipe 5 are in the horizontal direction The cold plate inlet pipe 6 is connected to the cold plate 2 at the bottom, the cold plate outlet pipe 7 is connected to the cold plate 2 at the top, the hot plate inlet pipe 8 is connected to the hot plate 3 at the top, and the hot plate outlet pipe 9 is connected to the hot plate 3 at the bottom. The cold fluid flows in from the cold plate inlet pipe 6 and flows out from the cold plate outlet pipe 7. The hot fluid flows in from the hot plate inlet pipe 8 and flows out from the hot plate outlet pipe 9. The flow directions of the cold fluid and the hot fluid are opposite. The cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are provided with flow channels in the horizontal direction. The hot plate 3 is heated by the hot fluid and the cold plate 2 is cooled by the cold fluid. The temperature of the hot plate 3 is higher than that of the cold plate 2. The heat is transferred from the hot plate 3 to the temperature difference power generation sheet 1 and then to the cold plate 2. There is a constant temperature difference between the two side surfaces of the temperature difference power generation sheet 1, and the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy based on the thermoelectric conversion effect.

[0007] The cold plate inlet pipe 6, cold plate outlet pipe 7, hot plate inlet pipe 8 and hot plate outlet pipe 9 have the same geometric structure. The cross-sections of the cold plate inlet pipe 6 and the hot plate inlet pipe 8 gradually increase along the flow direction, and the cross-sections of the cold plate outlet pipe 7 and the hot plate outlet pipe 9 gradually decrease along the flow direction.

[0008] The flow channels of the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are rectangular channels or circular channels. The flow channels are parallel to each other and are evenly arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0009] The adjacent thermoelectric power generation sheets 1 are connected in series via wires, and the output voltage can be changed by adjusting the number of the thermoelectric power generation sheets 1 connected in series.

[0010] The cold fluid exchanges heat with the cold plate 2 in the flow channel of the cold plate 2 by means of forced convection heat exchange; the hot fluid exchanges heat with the hot plate 3 in the flow channel of the hot plate 3 by means of forced convection heat exchange.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0012] 1. The thermoelectric power generation sheet is a thin sheet structure. A stacked design can be used to arrange a large number of thermoelectric power generation sheets in a vertical space, effectively reducing the space area occupied by the overall power generation device and reducing the heat dissipated by the thermoelectric power generation sheet to the surrounding environment. Since the thermoelectric power generation sheet needs to fit closely with the heat transfer plate, a design of arranging flow channels in the cold and hot plates is adopted to facilitate its installation.

[0013] 2. The cold plate connecting pipes and the hot plate connecting pipes arranged alternately in the horizontal direction avoid spatial overlap while connecting the alternately arranged cold plates or hot plates, and for the flow channels in a single cold plate or hot plate, the uniformity of flow distribution between different channels can be improved.

[0014] 3. A large number of thermoelectric power generation sheets are arranged in the device, which can output higher electrical energy. By adjusting the number of series-connected thermoelectric power generation sheets, the output voltage can also be flexibly changed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a side view of the stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange according to the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the cold plate connecting pipe and the hot plate connecting pipe of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the geometric structure of the stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat transfer according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the geometric structure of the cold plate inlet pipe of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the temperature difference power generation sheet of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the geometric structure of the flow channel of the cold plate or hot plate of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0022] like Figure 1As shown, a stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange comprises a temperature difference power generation sheet 1, a cold plate 2, a hot plate 3, a cold plate connecting pipe 4, a hot plate connecting pipe 5, a cold plate inlet pipe 6, a cold plate outlet pipe 7, a hot plate inlet pipe 8 and a hot plate outlet pipe 9; the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are rectangular flat plates with the same geometric dimensions, placed in the horizontal direction, and the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are alternately arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction. A plurality of temperature difference power generation sheets 1 are located in the gap between the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3. The temperature difference power generation sheet 1 is a thin sheet structure, and its two side surfaces are respectively in close contact with the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3. The temperature difference power generation sheets 1 are evenly arranged in a matrix in the horizontal direction, and the arrangement form is as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown; the cold plate connecting pipe 4 connects two adjacent cold plates 2, the hot plate connecting pipe 5 connects two adjacent hot plates 2, and the cold plate connecting pipe 4 and the hot plate connecting pipe 5 are arranged alternately in the horizontal direction, and the arrangement form is as follows Figure 2 As shown; the positions of the cold and hot plate inlet and outlet pipes and the flow of cold and hot fluids are shown in Figure 3 As shown, the cold plate inlet pipe 6 is connected to the cold plate 2 located at the bottom, the cold plate outlet pipe 7 is connected to the cold plate 2 located at the top, the hot plate inlet pipe 8 is connected to the hot plate 3 located at the top, and the hot plate outlet pipe 9 is connected to the hot plate 3 located at the bottom. The cold fluid flows in from the cold plate inlet pipe 6 and flows out from the cold plate outlet pipe 7, and the hot fluid flows in from the hot plate inlet pipe 8 and flows out from the hot plate outlet pipe 9. The flow directions of the cold fluid and the hot fluid are opposite. Flow channels are opened in the horizontal direction inside the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3. The hot plate 3 is heated by the hot fluid, and the cold plate 2 is cooled by the cold fluid. The temperature of the hot plate 3 is higher than that of the cold plate 2. The heat is transferred from the hot plate 3 to the temperature difference power generation sheet 1 and then to the cold plate 2. There is a constant temperature difference between the two side surfaces of the temperature difference power generation sheet 1, and thermal energy is converted into electrical energy based on the thermoelectric conversion effect.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cold plate inlet pipe 6, the cold plate outlet pipe 7, the hot plate inlet pipe 8 and the hot plate outlet pipe 9 have the same geometric structure, the cross-sections of the cold plate inlet pipe 6 and the hot plate inlet pipe 8 gradually increase along the flow direction, and the cross-sections of the cold plate outlet pipe 7 and the hot plate outlet pipe 9 gradually decrease along the flow direction. The change in cross-section facilitates connection with other equipment; taking the cold plate inlet pipe 6 as an example, its geometric structure and the flow of the internal fluid are as follows Figure 4 shown.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow channels of the cold plate 2 and the hot plate 3 are rectangular channels or circular channels, and the geometric structure and distribution of the channels are as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the flow channels are parallel to each other and evenly arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjacent thermoelectric power generation sheets 1 are connected in series via wires, and the output voltage is changed by adjusting the number of the thermoelectric power generation sheets 1 connected in series.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cold fluid exchanges heat with the cold plate 2 in the flow channel of the cold plate 2 by forced convection heat exchange; the hot fluid exchanges heat with the hot plate 3 in the flow channel of the hot plate 3 by forced convection heat exchange.

[0027] The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in combination with a specific preferred embodiment. It cannot be determined that the specific embodiments of the present invention are limited to this. For ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, as long as they are within the essential spirit of the present invention, changes and modifications to the above-mentioned embodiments should be deemed to be within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stacked temperature difference power generation device that exchanges heat by convection heat exchange, characterized in that: The device comprises a temperature difference power generation sheet (1), a cold plate (2), a hot plate (3), a cold plate connecting pipe (4), a hot plate connecting pipe (5), a cold plate inlet pipe (6), a cold plate outlet pipe (7), a hot plate inlet pipe (8) and a hot plate outlet pipe (9); the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3) are rectangular flat plates with the same geometric dimensions and are placed in the horizontal direction; the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3) are alternately arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction; a plurality of temperature difference power generation sheets (1) are located in the gap between the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3); the temperature difference power generation sheets (1) are thin sheet structures, and the surfaces on both sides thereof are respectively in close contact with the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3); the temperature difference power generation sheets (1) are evenly arranged in a matrix manner in the horizontal direction; the cold plate connecting pipe (4) connects two adjacent layers of cold plates (2); the hot plate connecting pipe (5) connects two adjacent layers of hot plates (2); the cold plate connecting pipe (4) and the hot plate connecting pipe (5) are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction; The cold plate inlet pipe (6) is connected to the cold plate (2) located at the bottom, the cold plate outlet pipe (7) is connected to the cold plate (2) located at the top, the hot plate inlet pipe (8) is connected to the hot plate (3) located at the top, and the hot plate outlet pipe (9) is connected to the hot plate (3) located at the bottom. Cold fluid flows in through the cold plate inlet pipe (6) and flows out through the cold plate outlet pipe (7), and hot fluid flows in through the hot plate inlet pipe (8) and flows out through the hot plate outlet pipe (9). The flow directions of the cold fluid and the hot fluid are opposite. Flow channels are provided in the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3) in the horizontal direction. The hot plate (3) is heated by the hot fluid and the cold plate (2) is cooled by the cold fluid. The temperature of the hot plate (3) is higher than that of the cold plate (2). Heat is transferred from the hot plate (3) to the thermoelectric power generation sheet (1) and then to the cold plate (2). There is a constant temperature difference between the two side surfaces of the thermoelectric power generation sheet (1). Thermal energy is converted into electrical energy based on the thermoelectric conversion effect.

2. The stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cold plate inlet pipe (6), the cold plate outlet pipe (7), the hot plate inlet pipe (8) and the hot plate outlet pipe (9) have the same geometric structure; the cross-sections of the cold plate inlet pipe (6) and the hot plate inlet pipe (8) gradually increase along the flow direction, while the cross-sections of the cold plate outlet pipe (7) and the hot plate outlet pipe (9) gradually decrease along the flow direction.

3. The stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channels of the cold plate (2) and the hot plate (3) are rectangular channels or circular channels, and the flow channels are parallel to each other and evenly arranged in the horizontal direction.

4. The stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: Adjacent thermoelectric power generation sheets (1) are connected in series via wires, and the magnitude of the output voltage is changed by adjusting the number of thermoelectric power generation sheets (1) connected in series.

5. The stacked temperature difference power generation device for exchanging heat by convection heat exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cold fluid exchanges heat with the cold plate (2) in the flow channel of the cold plate (2) by means of forced convection heat exchange; and the hot fluid exchanges heat with the hot plate (3) in the flow channel of the hot plate (3) by means of forced convection heat exchange.

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