Thermoelectric Generator Fuel Cell Co-Generation Waste Heat Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric generators in existing systems require additional cooling systems to maintain a high temperature differential for efficient energy conversion, which increases weight and complexity, and do not effectively utilize waste heat from fuel cells for power generation.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a thermoelectric generator between the hot exhaust and cold intake streams of a fuel cell, with a heat exchanger to preheat intake gases, allowing the thermoelectric generator to harness waste heat and eliminate the need for a separate cooling system, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate cooling system is added to maintain temperature differential, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the exhaust gas flow path by routing exhaust gases through the cold side of the thermoelectric generator, eliminating the need for a separate cooling system while maintaining the required temperature differential for efficient energy conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow serves multiple functions: it cools the thermoelectric generator cold side, generates additional power through the thermoelectric effect, and provides preheating for intake air through heat exchange, replacing the need for dedicated cooling infrastructure
2Productivity
If a separate cooling system is added to maintain temperature differential, then energy conversion efficiency is improved, but system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the exhaust gas flow path by routing exhaust through the thermoelectric generator cold side, eliminating the weight of separate cooling system components such as radiators, pumps, and fans
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow self-regulates the temperature differential by naturally flowing through the thermoelectric generator cold side, eliminating the need for powered cooling components and their associated weight
3Power
If waste heat from fuel cell is utilized by thermoelectric generator, then additional power generation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waste heat utilization function with the existing exhaust gas flow path by routing exhaust through the thermoelectric generator, achieving additional power generation without adding complex heat recovery infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow continuously passes through the thermoelectric generator to generate power throughout operation, converting waste heat into useful electrical energy without interrupting the fuel cell's primary function
4Productivity
If intake gases are preheated through heat exchanger, then fuel cell efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preheating function is merged with the exhaust gas flow path by using the same exhaust stream that cools the thermoelectric generator to heat the intake air, achieving fuel cell efficiency improvement without adding separate preheating equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust gas flow performs multiple functions in sequence: cooling the thermoelectric generator cold side, enabling power generation through the thermoelectric effect, and preheating intake air for the fuel cell, maximizing utility of a single fluid stream
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves operational efficiency by leveraging waste heat for additional power generation without additional fuel consumption, reducing system weight by eliminating the need for a cooling system and increasing the temperature differential for enhanced energy conversion.
Implementation Method 1
The TE may generate electric energy based on a temperature differential between a TE cold-side and a TE hot-side
Implementation Method 2
preheating the fuel cell intake gases by routing the fuel cell intake gases from the TE through a heat exchanger (HX) to recover heat from the fuel cell exhausts
Implementation Method 3
The fuel cell may generate electric power based on a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods of electric power generation are disclosed. A particular method includes generating electric power using a fuel cell. The method also includes generating additional electric power using a thermoelectric generator (TE) by routing exhaust from the fuel cell to a hot side of the TE and routing fuel cell intake gases to a cold side of the TE. The method also includes preheating the fuel cell intake gases by routing the fuel cell intake gases from the TE through a heat exchanger (HX).