Thermoelectric power generation module

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a thermoelectric material-containing porous body (20) comprising a porous body containing a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 3 [mu] V / K or more; and a first electrode part (11) and a second electrode part (12) which are connected to the thermoelectric material-containing porous body (20), one end side of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body (20) being an immersed part (21) immersed in the liquid (3), the other end side of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body (20) being a non-immersed part (22), the liquid (3) being sucked in the immersed part (21), and the sucked liquid (3) volatilizing in the non-immersed part (22). A temperature difference is generated between one end side and the other end side of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body (20) by the heat of vaporization when the liquid (3) volatilizes, and power is generated by the temperature difference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation module which generates electricity by utilizing temperature difference through the Seebeck effect.

[0002] This application claims priority based on patent application No. 2022-134171 filed in Japan on August 25, 2022 and patent application No. 2023-132040 filed in Japan on August 14, 2023, and their contents are incorporated herein. Background Art

[0003] As the above-mentioned thermoelectric power generation module, a thermoelectric power generation module using a thermoelectric conversion element capable of converting thermal energy and electric energy into each other has been proposed.

[0004] The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which an electromotive force is generated when a temperature difference occurs at both ends of a thermoelectric conversion element, and this effect converts thermal energy into electrical energy. In recent years, thermoelectric power generation utilizing this effect has been actively developed.

[0005] Here, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose thermoelectric power generation modules using carbon nanotubes as the thermoelectric conversion elements.

[0006] In the thermoelectric power generation modules disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, power generation is performed by generating a temperature difference between one end and the other end of a thermoelectric conversion element. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a heat source to generate the temperature difference.

[0007] Therefore, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a thermoelectric power generation module having a structure in which through holes are formed in a portion of an insulating substrate on the surface of which carbon nanotubes are arranged, and electrodes are arranged at the portion where the through holes are formed and at the portion where the through holes are not formed.

[0008] The thermoelectric power generation module of the non-patent document 1 is constructed as follows: by floating on the water surface, water is absorbed at the part with through holes formed, and the heat of vaporization when the water vaporizes causes a temperature difference between the part with through holes formed and the part without through holes formed of the carbon nanotubes, and electricity is generated by the temperature difference.

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6553191 (B)

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-041264 (A)

[0011] Non-patent literature 1: Tomoyuki Chiba, Yuki Amma & Masayuki Takashiri; "Heat sourcefree water floating carbon nanotube thermoelectric generators"; [online]; 2021; Nature; Internet<URL:https: / / www.nature.com / articles / s41598-021-94242-0>

[0012] In the thermoelectric power generation module described in Non-Patent Document 1, since the insulating substrate provided with carbon nanotubes floats on the water surface, the insulating substrate provided with carbon nanotubes has the same temperature as the water temperature, and the temperature difference is generated on the carbon nanotubes only by the heat of vaporization. In order to improve the power generation efficiency, the amount of heat of vaporization needs to be greatly increased. In addition, only the heat of vaporization of water on a part of the surface of the insulating substrate floating on the water surface can be used, so that power generation cannot be effectively performed.

[0013] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power generation modules described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 or the thermoelectric power generation module described in Non-Patent Document 1, carbon nanotubes are disposed on the surface of an insulating substrate, so the degree of freedom of shape is low and the structure is complex and difficult to handle. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric power generation module which has a simple structure, is easy to handle, and can generate electricity simply and efficiently.

[0015] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a thermoelectric power generation module of method 1 of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a porous body containing thermoelectric material, which is composed of a porous body containing a thermoelectric material whose absolute value of Seebeck coefficient is greater than 3μV / K; and a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion, which are connected to the porous body containing thermoelectric material, one end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as an impregnation portion immersed in liquid, and the other end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as a non-impregnation portion, the liquid is absorbed in the impregnation portion, and the absorbed liquid volatilizes in the non-impregnation portion, and a temperature difference is generated between one end side and the other end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization when the liquid volatilizes, and power generation is performed by the temperature difference.

[0016] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of the first embodiment of the present invention, since the first electrode part and the second electrode part are connected to the porous body containing thermoelectric material composed of a porous body containing thermoelectric material having an absolute value of Seebeck coefficient of 3μV / K or more, one end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as an impregnation part immersed in liquid, and the heat of vaporization when the liquid absorbed in the impregnation part evaporates in the non-impregnation part generates a temperature difference between one end side and the other end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material, so that power generation can be performed by the temperature difference. In addition, since one end of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as the impregnation part and the other end is set as the non-impregnation part and arranged outside the liquid, the temperature difference between the outside air and the liquid can also be used.

[0017] Furthermore, an insulating substrate for disposing thermoelectric materials and the like is not required, so the structure becomes simple and easy to handle.

[0018] Furthermore, the liquid can be vaporized from the entire surface of the portion of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body that is not immersed in the liquid, so that the vaporization amount can be ensured, and power can be efficiently generated by the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization.

[0019] In addition, the porous body is preferably a structure that generates capillary action. Furthermore, the porous body is preferably a hygroscopic heat generating body that generates heat when wetted. Thus, the temperature difference between the impregnated part and the non-impregnated part can be increased, and electricity can be generated efficiently.

[0020] A thermoelectric power generation module according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module according to the first aspect, the thermoelectric material is a carbon nanotube.

[0021] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of embodiment 2 of the present invention, since the thermoelectric material is carbon nanotubes, the porous body containing the thermoelectric material can be formed by setting the carbon nanotubes themselves as a porous structure, or by making an insulating porous body contain carbon nanotubes.

[0022] Furthermore, liquid can be reliably sucked from the impregnated portion formed at one end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material, and a temperature difference can be ensured between the one end and the other end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid.

[0023] Furthermore, after use, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body can be discarded by incineration, thereby reducing environmental load.

[0024] A thermoelectric power generation module according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module according to the first aspect, the thermoelectric material is an organic thermoelectric material.

[0025] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 3 of the present invention, since the thermoelectric material is an organic thermoelectric material, the porous body containing the thermoelectric material can be formed by setting the organic thermoelectric material itself as a porous structure, and the porous body containing the thermoelectric material can also be formed by making an insulating porous body contain the organic thermoelectric material.

[0026] Furthermore, liquid can be reliably sucked from the impregnated portion formed at one end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material, and a temperature difference can be ensured between the one end and the other end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid.

[0027] A thermoelectric power generation module according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module according to the first aspect, the thermoelectric material is a nanotube or a nanowire made of a compound semiconductor or a silicon semiconductor.

[0028] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 4 of the present invention, since the thermoelectric material is set to be a nanotube or nanowire made of a compound semiconductor or a silicon semiconductor, it is possible to form a porous body containing the thermoelectric material by setting the nanotube or nanowire itself as a porous structure, and it is also possible to form the porous body containing the thermoelectric material by making an insulating porous body contain nanotubes or nanowires.

[0029] Furthermore, liquid can be reliably sucked from the impregnated portion formed at one end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material, and a temperature difference can be ensured between the one end and the other end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid.

[0030] A thermoelectric power generation module according to aspect 5 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module of any one of aspects 1 to 4, the porous body is any one of paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, and a guide rod.

[0031] In the thermoelectric power generation module according to mode 5 of the present invention, since the porous body is set to any one of paper, silk, non-woven fabric, cloth, and guide rod (liquid absorbent core), it is possible to easily produce a porous body containing thermoelectric material by making these papers, silk, non-woven fabrics, cloth, and guide rods (liquid absorbent core) contain thermoelectric material.

[0032] Furthermore, liquid can be reliably sucked from the impregnated portion formed at one end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material, and a temperature difference can be ensured between the one end and the other end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid.

[0033] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a thermoelectric power module according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the liquid is a volatile liquid that can volatilize at room temperature.

[0034] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 6 of the present invention, since the liquid is set to a volatile liquid that can evaporate at room temperature, even if it is used at room temperature, the liquid can be vaporized in the non-impregnated part on the other end side of the porous body containing the thermoelectric material, and power generation can be reliably performed by utilizing the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization.

[0035] The thermoelectric power generation module of mode 7 of the present invention is characterized in that in the thermoelectric power generation module of any one of modes 1 to 6, the porous body containing thermoelectric material has a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material containing p-type thermoelectric material and a porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material containing n-type thermoelectric material, and the porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material is connected in series with the porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material.

[0036] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the porous body containing a p-type thermoelectric material and the porous body containing an n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series, the power generation efficiency can be greatly improved.

[0037] The thermoelectric power generation module of mode 8 of the present invention is characterized in that in the thermoelectric power generation module of any one of modes 1 to 6, the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set to be any one of a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material and a porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material and a porous body containing conductor composed of a porous body containing conductor is connected to the porous body containing thermoelectric material.

[0038] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 8 of the present invention, since the conductor-containing porous body composed of a porous body containing a conductor is connected to the porous body containing thermoelectric material, liquid can be reliably absorbed from the impregnation part, and the temperature difference can be ensured at one end side and the other end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid.

[0039] A thermoelectric power module according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power module of any one of the first to eighth aspects, a liquid retaining portion that retains the liquid is provided.

[0040] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 9 of the present invention, since it has a liquid retaining portion for retaining the liquid, the liquid is retained in the liquid retaining portion, and the impregnation portion formed on one end side of the porous body containing the thermoelectric material is immersed in the liquid, thereby being able to generate electricity by utilizing the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization.

[0041] The thermoelectric power generation module of aspect 10 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module of aspect 9, one end of a plurality of the thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies is immersed in the liquid retaining portion, and a partition is provided between the immersed portions of adjacent thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies.

[0042] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of method 10 of the present invention, since one end of a plurality of the porous bodies containing thermoelectric materials are immersed in the liquid retaining portion, and a partition portion is provided between the impregnated portions of adjacent porous bodies containing thermoelectric materials, it is possible to prevent adjacent porous bodies containing thermoelectric materials from contacting each other and short-circuiting, or short-circuiting due to liquid, thereby greatly improving the power generation efficiency.

[0043] A thermoelectric power generation module according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module of any one of the first to eighth aspects, a float is provided.

[0044] According to the thermoelectric power generation module of mode 11 of the present invention, since it is provided with a float, it is configured to use the float to make the thermoelectric power generation module float on the liquid surface of an existing liquid storage part (for example, a pool, tank, etc.), and to immerse the impregnated part formed on one end side of the porous body containing the thermoelectric material in the liquid, and to make the non-impregnated part on the other end side of the porous body containing the thermoelectric material be located outside the liquid, thereby making it possible to generate electricity by utilizing the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization.

[0045] The thermoelectric power generation module of mode 12 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thermoelectric power generation module of any one of modes 1 to 11, there is a porous body with a corrugated structure in which an inclined wall portion on one side is connected to an inclined wall portion on another side, and at least the inclined wall portion on one side is set to be the porous body containing thermoelectric material.

[0046] According to method 12 of the present invention, the thermoelectric power generation module has a simple structure and can be relatively easily manufactured because it has a porous body with a corrugated structure in which an inclined wall portion on one side is connected to an inclined wall portion on the other side, and at least the inclined wall portion on one side is set to be the porous body containing thermoelectric material.

[0047] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric power generation module which has a simple structure, is easy to handle, and can generate power simply and efficiently. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power module as a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for producing a porous body containing a thermoelectric material used in the thermoelectric power generation module of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 3 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power module as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power generation module as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power generation module as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power generation module as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 7 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power generation module as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 8 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric power generation module as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 9 This is a schematic explanatory diagram of a thermoelectric material-containing porous body as another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the embodiments shown below are specifically described for a better understanding of the purpose of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in order to facilitate understanding of the features of the present invention, for convenience, the drawings used in the following description sometimes enlarge the main parts, and the dimensional ratios of the various structural elements are not necessarily the same as the actual ones.

[0058] (First Embodiment)

[0059] First, a thermoelectric power generation module as a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the thermoelectric power generation module 10 involved in this embodiment comprises: a porous body 20 containing thermoelectric material, which is composed of a porous body containing a thermoelectric material with an absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient of more than 3μV / K; and a first electrode portion 11 and a second electrode portion 12, which are connected to the porous body 20 containing thermoelectric material.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, a liquid holding portion 30 for holding the liquid 3 is provided.

[0062] The liquid 3 held by the liquid holding part 30 is preferably a volatile liquid that evaporates at room temperature (20° C.). Examples of the volatile liquid include water and various alcohols. In the present embodiment, the liquid 3 is water.

[0063] Furthermore, one end side ( Figure 1 The other end side ( Figure 1The non-immersed portion 22 (in the middle, the upper end side) is provided as a non-immersed portion 22 that is not immersed in the liquid 3.

[0064] In this embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the first electrode unit 11 is disposed at one end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material 20, and the second electrode unit 12 is disposed at the other end of the porous body containing a thermoelectric material 20. That is, in this embodiment, the first electrode unit 11 is disposed in the liquid 3.

[0065] The thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 is composed of a porous body containing a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more.

[0066] Thermoelectric materials having an absolute value of Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more have characteristics as semiconductors and have characteristics as p-type semiconductors or n-type semiconductors. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 may be either a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor.

[0067] Here, as thermoelectric materials having an absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more, the following can be cited: (a) carbon nanotubes (CNTs); (b) organic thermoelectric materials; (c) nanotubes or nanowires made of compound semiconductors or silicon semiconductors; (d) precious metal compounds; (e) carbon materials; (f) metals such as Bi, Co, Fe, and Ni, etc.

[0068] In addition, the absolute value of the Seebeck coefficient of the thermoelectric material contained in the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 is preferably 40 μV / K or more. Furthermore, the thermoelectric materials (a) to (f) may be composited and used.

[0069] Here, in (a) carbon nanotubes, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be formed by making the carbon nanotubes themselves into a porous structure (paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, guide rod, etc.). Alternatively, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be formed by incorporating carbon nanotubes into other porous bodies.

[0070] In addition, the Seebeck coefficient of carbon nanotubes is approximately 5 to 170 μV / K.

[0071] As (b) organic thermoelectric materials, there can be mentioned PEDOT series (PEDOT:PSS, PEDOT:Tos, etc.), π-conjugated nickel complex series (poly(nickel-ethylenetetrathiolate): poly(nickel-ethylenetetrathiolate)), N-DMBI series (N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzoimidazole: N,N-dimethyl-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole), etc.

[0072] The Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS is about 10 to 100 μV / K. The Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:Tos is about 40 to 210 μV / K. The Seebeck coefficient of the π-conjugated nickel complex system is about -16 to -140 μV / K.

[0073] The organic thermoelectric material itself can be made into a porous structure (paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, guide rod, etc.) to form the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20. Alternatively, the organic thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be formed by incorporating the organic thermoelectric material into another porous body.

[0074] In (c) nanotubes or nanowires made of compound semiconductors or silicon semiconductors, the other porous body contains one or more nanotubes or nanowires (boron nitride nanotubes, Si nanowires and Bi 2 Te 3 Nanowires, etc.) are used to form a porous body 20 containing thermoelectric materials.

[0075] (d) The noble metal compound includes copper compounds, silver compounds, gold compounds, platinum compounds, etc. Specifically, compounds of noble metal elements (Cu, Ag, Au, Pt) and S, Se, and Te are preferred.

[0076] The thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be constituted by incorporating the precious metal compound into another porous body.

[0077] Examples of the (e) carbon material include carbon black and graphene.

[0078] The thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be constituted by incorporating the carbon material into another porous body.

[0079] (f) Among the metals such as Bi, Co, Fe, and Ni, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be formed by making other porous bodies contain the metals such as Bi, Co, Fe, and Ni. Preferably, the other porous bodies contain the metals such as Bi, Co, Fe, and Ni by electroplating.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the porous body 20 containing thermoelectric material is a porous body in which carbon nanotubes (CNT) are impregnated, has the characteristics of a semiconductor, and has the characteristics of a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor. In addition, in the present embodiment, the porous body 20 containing thermoelectric material can be any one of a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor.

[0081] As the porous body, fibrous materials such as paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, guide rods, etc. are preferred. In the present embodiment, the porous body is paper, and the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 is paper containing CNTs. In addition, the fiber may be natural fiber or artificial fiber, or paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, guide rods, etc. composed of a combination of multiple fibers may be used.

[0082] Furthermore, as the porous body, a structure that generates capillary phenomena is preferred, and in addition to paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, and guide rods, plates, films, nets, hollow fibers, etc. can also be used. In addition, the porous body is preferably an insulating porous body. The porous body is preferably a hygroscopic heat-generating body. As long as there is a heat generation effect caused by a hydration reaction on the surface of the material generated by wetting, or a heat generation effect caused by the release of strain accompanying the swelling of the material, the temperature difference with the non-impregnated portion 22 can be increased, thereby enabling efficient power generation.

[0083] Here, reference Figure 2 An example of a method for producing the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 (CNT-containing paper) will be described.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown in (1), pulp fibers are added to pure water and stirred sufficiently to obtain a pulp suspension 51 in which the pulp fibers are dispersed.

[0085] And, if Figure 2 As shown in (2), a carbon nanotube dispersion 52 is obtained by adding single-walled carbon nanotubes into pure water and stirring sufficiently. At this time, the weight of the single-walled carbon nanotubes relative to the weight of the pulp fiber as the paper raw material is preferably set to a ratio of 0.8% by mass to 8.0% by mass. In addition, there is no need to add a dispersant. In addition, when obtaining the carbon nanotube dispersion 52, it is preferably subjected to ultrasonic treatment for about 30 minutes.

[0086] Then, if Figure 2 As shown in (3), the pulp suspension 51 and the carbon nanotube dispersion 52 are mixed and stirred to obtain a mixed solution 53. At this time, the carbon nanotubes are attached to the pulp fibers.

[0087] And, if Figure 2 As shown in (4) and (5) above, the mixed solution 53 is made into paper and dried to obtain the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 (CNT-containing paper).

[0088] In the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of this embodiment, Figure 1As shown in the figure, one end side of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 containing a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more is set as an impregnation portion 21 immersed in the liquid 3, so that the liquid 3 is absorbed through the pores of the porous body. The absorbed liquid 3 moves to the other end side of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 and volatilizes in the non-impregnation portion 22 arranged outside the liquid 3. Due to the heat of vaporization at this time, the temperature of the non-impregnation portion 22 decreases.

[0089] Thus, a temperature difference is generated between the first electrode portion 11 disposed at one end of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 and the second electrode portion 12 disposed at the other end of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20. That is, in this embodiment, a temperature difference is generated in a direction intersecting the liquid surface (a direction away from the liquid surface). Due to this temperature difference, a potential difference is generated between the first electrode portion 11 and the second electrode portion 12.

[0090] In the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of the present embodiment constructed as described above, a first electrode portion 11 is connected to one end side of a porous body 20 containing a thermoelectric material, which is composed of a porous body containing a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more, and a second electrode portion 12 is connected to the other end of the porous body 20 containing a thermoelectric material. By the heat of vaporization when the liquid 3 absorbed in the impregnated portion 21 of the porous body 20 containing a thermoelectric material volatilizes in the non-impregnated portion 22, a temperature difference is generated between one end side and the other end side of the porous body 20 containing a thermoelectric material, so that power generation can be generated by the temperature difference.

[0091] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power module 10 of the present embodiment, since the other end of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 is provided as the non-impregnated portion 22 and disposed outside the liquid 3 , the temperature difference between the outside air and the liquid 3 can also be utilized.

[0092] Furthermore, the liquid 3 can be volatilized from the entire surface of the non-impregnated portion 22 of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 that is not immersed in the liquid 3, so that the vaporization amount increases, and power can be efficiently generated by the temperature difference caused by the vaporization heat.

[0093] In particular, in the present embodiment, since the temperature difference is generated in the direction intersecting the liquid surface (the direction away from the liquid surface), the liquid 3 can be effectively vaporized, and the temperature difference between the external air and the liquid 3 can be further utilized, so that electricity can be effectively generated. In addition, when the liquid 3 is hydrophilic, the surface of the porous body 20 containing the thermoelectric material is hydrophilized by adding a surfactant or irradiating plasma, so that the liquid 3 can be effectively absorbed, the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization can be increased, and electricity can be effectively generated. When the liquid 3 is hydrophobic, the porous body 20 containing the thermoelectric material is preferably treated with hydrophobicity. That is, it is preferred to perform hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface treatments on the porous body 20 containing the thermoelectric material according to the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the liquid 3.

[0094] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of the present embodiment, since the carbon nanotubes are impregnated in the porous body, it is not necessary to provide an insulating substrate for disposing the carbon nanotubes or the like, and the structure becomes simple and easy to handle.

[0095] Furthermore, since the porous body is used, the liquid 3 can be efficiently absorbed in the impregnated portion 21 by capillary action, and the liquid 3 can be efficiently volatilized in the non-impregnated portion 22 .

[0096] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of the present embodiment, when the porous body is any one of paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, and guide rod, by making the paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, and guide rod contain carbon nanotubes, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be easily manufactured. Furthermore, the liquid 3 can be reliably sucked from the impregnated portion 21 of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20.

[0097] Furthermore, after use, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 20 can be discarded by incineration, thereby reducing environmental load.

[0098] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of the present embodiment, when the liquid 3 is a volatile liquid that can evaporate at room temperature, the liquid 3 absorbed from the impregnated portion 21 containing the porous body 20 of the thermoelectric material can be effectively vaporized in the non-impregnated portion 22 even when used at room temperature, thereby generating electricity by utilizing the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization.

[0099] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric power generation module 10 of the present embodiment, in the case of having a liquid holding portion 30 for holding the liquid 3, the impregnated portion 21 containing the porous body 20 of the thermoelectric material can be immersed in the liquid 3 held in the liquid holding portion 30. Therefore, the liquid 3 drawn from the impregnated portion 21 containing the porous body 20 of the thermoelectric material can be vaporized in the non-impregnated portion 22, thereby making it possible to generate electricity using the temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization. In addition, as a method of supplying the liquid 3 to the thermoelectric power generation module 10, in addition to the method of injecting an arbitrary amount of liquid into the liquid holding portion 30, the liquid can be constantly supplied from a river or the like, or it can be a method of making steam contact with the impregnated portion 21 containing the porous body 20 of the thermoelectric material and generating liquid by condensation to impregnate it, and generate electricity using the temperature difference with the non-impregnated portion 22.

[0100] (Second Embodiment)

[0101] Next, a thermoelectric power module 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0102] like Figure 3 As shown, in the thermoelectric power generation module 110 involved in this embodiment, the thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120, which is composed of a porous body including a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more, has a plurality of p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies (a first p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120P1, a second p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120P2) and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies (a first n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120N1, a second n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120N2).

[0103] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, one end of the first p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120P1 (at Figure 3 The lower end in the middle) and one end of the first n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120N1 (at Figure 3 The other end of the first n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120N1 (in Figure 3 The upper end in the middle) and the other end of the second p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120P2 (at Figure 3 The second p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120P2 is connected by a second connecting portion 116, and one end (at Figure 3 The lower end in the middle) and one end of the second n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body 120N2 (at Figure 3 The lower end is in the middle) and is connected by a third connecting portion 117.

[0104] Furthermore, a first electrode portion 111 is disposed at the other end of the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and a second electrode portion 112 is disposed at the other end of the second porous body 120N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material.

[0105] That is, in this embodiment, the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing an n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series.

[0106] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, one end side of the first porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material 120P1, the first porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material 120N1, the second porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material 120P2, and the second porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material 120N2 is set as an impregnation portion 121 immersed in the liquid 3, and the other end side of the first porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material 120P1, the first porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material 120N1, the second porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material 120P2, and the second porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material 120N2 is set as a non-impregnation portion 122.

[0107] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 115 and the third connecting portion 117 are immersed in the liquid 3 , and the second connecting portion 116 , the first electrode portion 111 , and the second electrode portion 112 are disposed outside the liquid 3 .

[0108] In the thermoelectric power generation module 110 of this embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, since one end side of the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing an n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material is set as an impregnation portion 121 immersed in the liquid 3, the liquid 3 is absorbed through the pores of the porous body. The absorbed liquid 3 moves to the other end side of the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing an n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material, and volatilizes in the non-impregnation portion 122 disposed outside the liquid 3. Due to the vaporization heat at this time, the temperature of the non-impregnation portion 122 decreases.

[0109] Thus, a temperature difference is generated between one end and the other end of the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing a n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing a n-type thermoelectric material, and power generation is performed by the temperature difference.

[0110] Furthermore, the first porous body 120P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series, and a potential difference is generated between the first electrode portion 111 connected to the other end of the first porous body 120P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material and the second electrode portion 112 connected to the other end of the second porous body 120N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material.

[0111] In the thermoelectric power generation module 110 of the present embodiment constructed as described above, as in the first embodiment, a temperature difference is generated between one end side and the other end side of the first porous body 120P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material by the heat of vaporization of the liquid 3, thereby enabling power generation.

[0112] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first porous body 120P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 120N1 containing an n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 120P2 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 120N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series, the power generation efficiency can be greatly improved.

[0113] As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0114] For example, in order to ensure the strength as a thermoelectric power generation module, the porous body containing the thermoelectric material may be disposed on a support (backing paper, substrate, etc.).

[0115] Furthermore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a case where a plurality of porous bodies containing p-type thermoelectric materials and a plurality of porous bodies containing n-type thermoelectric materials are arranged in a plane and connected in series is described, but this is not limited to this. Figure 4 Like the thermoelectric power generation module 210 shown in the figure, a plurality of porous bodies containing p-type thermoelectric materials (a first porous body containing p-type thermoelectric materials 220P1, a second porous body containing p-type thermoelectric materials 220P2) and a plurality of porous bodies containing n-type thermoelectric materials (a first porous body containing n-type thermoelectric materials 220N1, a second porous body containing n-type thermoelectric materials 220N2) may be arranged in three dimensions and connected in series.

[0116] exist Figure 4In the thermoelectric power generation module 210 shown, one end of the first porous body 220P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material is connected to one end of the first porous body 220N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material via a first connecting portion 215, the other end of the first porous body 220N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material is connected to the other end of the second porous body 220P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material via a second connecting portion 216, and one end of the second porous body 220P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material is connected to one end of the second porous body 220N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material via a third connecting portion 217.

[0117] Furthermore, a first electrode portion 211 is disposed at the other end of the first porous body 220P1 containing a p-type thermoelectric material, and a second electrode portion 212 is disposed at the other end of the second porous body 220N2 containing an n-type thermoelectric material.

[0118] Furthermore, one end side of the first porous body 220P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 220N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 220P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 220N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material is set as an impregnation portion 221 immersed in the liquid 3, and the other end side of the first porous body 220P1 containing p-type thermoelectric material, the first porous body 220N1 containing n-type thermoelectric material, the second porous body 220P2 containing p-type thermoelectric material, and the second porous body 220N2 containing n-type thermoelectric material is set as a non-impregnation portion 222.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case where the liquid holding portion 30 is provided is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 3 , the thermoelectric power generation module 310 is provided with a float 350 , and is configured so that the thermoelectric power generation module 310 can be disposed on the liquid surface of an existing liquid storage tank, pond, lake, or the like.

[0120] in addition, Figure 5 The thermoelectric power generation module 310 shown is a module obtained by removing the liquid retaining unit 30 and providing a float 350 in the thermoelectric power generation module 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] The float 350 may be formed of paper, or may be formed of a porous body constituting a porous body containing CNTs.

[0122] And, in the first embodiment, if Figure 1 As shown, the first electrode portion 11 is immersed in the liquid 3, but as long as a portion of the porous body 20 containing thermoelectric material is immersed in the liquid 3, and the distance from the liquid surface to the first electrode portion 11 is different from the distance from the liquid surface to the second electrode portion 12, the first electrode portion 11 may not be immersed in the liquid 3.

[0123] For example, Figure 6The thermoelectric power generation module 410 shown or Figure 7 As in the thermoelectric power generation module 510 shown, if the distance from the liquid surface to the first electrode portion 11 is different from the distance from the liquid surface to the second electrode portion 12, a temperature difference occurs between the first electrode portion 11 and the second electrode portion 12, thereby enabling power generation.

[0124] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the porous body containing a p-type thermoelectric material and the porous body containing an n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series, but either the porous body containing a p-type thermoelectric material or the porous body containing an n-type thermoelectric material may be a conductor. In this case, the conductor may be a porous body containing a thermoelectric material having conductivity.

[0125] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the liquid holding portion 30 for holding the liquid 3 is provided, but it may also be Figure 8 As shown in the thermoelectric power generation module 610, a plurality of porous bodies 620 (620P1, 620N1, 620P2, 620N2, 620P3, 620N3) containing thermoelectric materials are impregnated in impregnated portions 621, and partition portions 31 are formed between the impregnated portions 621, 621 of adjacent porous bodies 620, 620 containing thermoelectric materials.

[0126] And, if Fig. 9 As shown, the porous body 720 containing thermoelectric material can also be set as a porous body with a corrugated structure in which an inclined wall portion 720A on one side is connected to an inclined wall portion 720B on the other side, and the inclined wall portion 720A on at least one side is set as a porous body containing thermoelectric material. In addition, the inclined wall portion 720A on one side can also be set as a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material, and the inclined wall portion 720B on the other side can be set as a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material. Alternatively, the inclined wall portion 720A on one side can also be set as a porous body containing thermoelectric material (a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material or a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material), and the inclined wall portion 720B on the other side can be set as a porous body containing a conductor.

[0127] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the structure in which the first connecting portion 115 and the third connecting portion 117 are used to connect the porous bodies 120 containing thermoelectric materials to each other is described, but this is not limited to this. A conductive bonding material (for example, carbon tape, etc.) may also be used to connect the porous bodies 120 containing thermoelectric materials to each other.

[0128] Moreover, in this embodiment, the case of using a porous body containing thermoelectric material (paper containing thermoelectric material) with the porous body as paper is described, but it is not limited to this. It can also be a porous body containing thermoelectric material with the porous body as wire (wire containing thermoelectric material), it can also be a porous body containing thermoelectric material with the porous body as cloth (cloth containing thermoelectric material), or it can be a porous body containing thermoelectric material with the porous body as a guide rod (guide rod containing thermoelectric material).

[0129] In addition, a thermoelectric material-containing wire (CNT-containing wire) in which carbon nanotubes are impregnated as a thermoelectric material can be produced by the method described below.

[0130] The method of making the silk contain carbon nanotubes is basically the same as the method of hand dyeing. The following method can also be used: the silk as the base is immersed in the carbon nanotube dispersion liquid, and the dispersion liquid is heated to a level that does not boil (about 60°C) in this state, and the water is evaporated to concentrate the carbon nanotube-coated silk. According to this impregnation method, more carbon nanotubes are impregnated in the silk.

[0131] In addition, the base yarn (substrate) required for producing CNT-containing yarns may be natural yarns such as cotton, linen, wool, and silk, or synthetic fiber yarns such as chemically synthesized polyester and nylon, but mixed yarns thereof may also be used.

[0132] Here, in the case of a type of thread that does not penetrate dyes such as synthetic fibers, a carbon nanotube dispersion may be applied to the surface and dried to produce a CNT-containing thread.

[0133] Example

[0134] Hereinafter, the results of confirmation experiments conducted to confirm the effects of the present invention will be described.

[0135] The immersed portion of the thermoelectric power generation module shown in the first embodiment is immersed in water, and the open circuit voltage between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion is measured. Here, the temperature of the stored water and the indoor temperature are adjusted as shown in Table 1. In addition, the temperature difference in Table 1 is the value obtained by subtracting the room temperature from the water temperature.

[0136] [Table 1]

[0137]

[0138] As shown in Inventive Examples 1-4 in Table 1, it was confirmed that a potential difference was generated between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion due to a temperature difference caused by the heat of vaporization of water, thereby generating power.

[0139] Furthermore, it was confirmed that by increasing the water temperature to be higher than the room temperature, the potential difference between the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion further increased, thereby efficiently generating electricity.

[0140] Industrial Applicability

[0141] In summary, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric power generation module that has a simple structure, is easy to handle, and can generate electricity simply and efficiently.

[0142] Description of Reference Numerals

[0143] 3Liquid

[0144] 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610 thermoelectric power generation modules

[0145] 11, 111, 211 first electrode part

[0146] 12, 112, 212 second electrode portion

[0147] 20, 120, 220 porous bodies containing thermoelectric materials

[0148] 21, 121, 221 dipping section

[0149] 22, 122, 222 non-immersion part

[0150] 30Liquid holding unit

[0151] 350 buoy

Claims

1. A thermoelectric power generation module, characterized in that: have: A porous body containing a thermoelectric material, which is composed of a porous body containing a thermoelectric material having an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 3 μV / K or more; and a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion connected to the porous body containing the thermoelectric material, One end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as an impregnated portion immersed in liquid, and the other end side of the porous body containing thermoelectric material is set as a non-impregnated portion. The liquid is absorbed in the impregnated portion and volatilizes in the non-impregnated portion. Heat of vaporization during volatilization of the liquid generates a temperature difference between one end and the other end of the thermoelectric material-containing porous body, and power generation is performed by the temperature difference.

2. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermoelectric material is carbon nanotube.

3. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermoelectric material is an organic thermoelectric material.

4. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermoelectric material is a nanotube or nanowire made of a compound semiconductor or a silicon semiconductor.

5. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The porous body is any one of paper, silk, nonwoven fabric, cloth, and a guide rod.

6. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid is a volatile liquid that can evaporate at room temperature.

7. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The porous body containing thermoelectric material includes a porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material and a porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material, and the porous body containing p-type thermoelectric material and the porous body containing n-type thermoelectric material are connected in series.

8. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The porous body containing thermoelectric material is set to be either a p-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body containing a p-type thermoelectric material or an n-type thermoelectric material-containing porous body containing an n-type thermoelectric material, and a conductor-containing porous body composed of a porous body containing a conductor is connected to the porous body containing thermoelectric material.

9. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid holding portion for holding the liquid is provided.

10. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 9, characterized in that: One end of the plurality of the thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies is immersed in the liquid retaining portion, and a partition is provided between the immersed portions of the adjacent thermoelectric material-containing porous bodies.

11. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: Equipped with buoyancy equipment.

12. The thermoelectric power generation module according to claim 1, characterized in that: A porous body having a corrugated structure in which one inclined wall portion and another inclined wall portion are connected, and at least the one inclined wall portion is provided as the thermoelectric material-containing porous body.

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