JPH09163773A - Thermoelectric power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric power generator whose power generation efficiency is enhanced, which miniaturizes a thermoelectric power generation module and in which heat on the high-temperature side is collected to the low-temperature side by a heat exchanger as required. SOLUTION: When electricity is generated, a changeover valve 5 is changed over, a high-temperature fluid inside a pipe 4 for the high-temperature fluid is introduced into a high-temperature heat storage body 1 at a thermoelectric power generation module 2 through the changeover valve 5, and the side of one end part of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is heated by heat stored in the high-temperature heat storage body 1 when the electricity is generated. Then, a changeover valve 9 is changed over, a low-temperate fluid inside a pipe 8 for the low-temperature fluid is introduced into a pipe 10 for the low-temperature fluid from the changeover valve 9, and the side of the other end part of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is cooled by the low-temperature fluid which flows inside the pipe 10 for the low- temperature fluid. At this time, heat flows to the low-temperature side from the high- temperature side by a heat transfer between solids, and the electricity is generated by the temperature difference of the thermoelectric power generation module 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator that directly converts heat energy into electric energy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A thermoelectric generator is a device that directly converts thermal energy into electric energy by the action of a thermoelectric semiconductor forming the thermoelectric generator module when a temperature difference is applied to the thermoelectric generator module. A conventional example of this thermoelectric generator will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The thermoelectric generator includes a thermoelectric generator module 2, a fuel pipe 12, and an air pipe 13.
A combustor (high temperature fluid (exhaust gas) supply source) 14, a high temperature fluid pipe 7 extending from the combustor 14 through one end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and a fan (low temperature fluid supply source) 16 A low temperature fluid pipe 10 extending from the fan 16 through the other end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, a converter 15, the converter 15 and one end and the other end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2. It is composed of a lead wire 17 for extracting electric power to be connected.

In this thermoelectric generator, the high temperature fluid pipe 7
A high temperature fluid flowing inside heats one end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and a low temperature fluid flowing inside the low temperature fluid pipe 10 cools the other end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2. At this time, in the thermoelectric power generation module 2, heat flows from the high temperature side to the low temperature side by convective heat transfer, and power is generated due to the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side.

[0004]

The conventional thermoelectric generator shown in FIG. 3 has the following problems. That is, in this thermoelectric generator, the larger the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator module 2, the higher the power generation efficiency. Further, the larger the amount of heat flowing through the thermoelectric power generation module 2, the larger the amount of power generation can be obtained, but since heat is transferred from the high temperature side to the low temperature side by convective heat transfer, the temperature difference that occurs in the thermoelectric power generation module 2 gradually decreases, The power generation efficiency and power generation amount decrease on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction of the fluid (see the curve in FIG. 2 (the curve without the high temperature heat storage body)).

Further, the heat of the high temperature fluid is transferred to the thermoelectric power generation module 2
In the case where the thermoelectric power generation module 2 has a large thermal resistance and is used for recovery into a low temperature fluid via the heat transfer area, that is, when the area of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 does not pass through the thermoelectric power generation module. There was a problem that the heat transfer area became insufficient due to the need for several times. The present invention is proposed in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to maintain the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric power generation module substantially uniformly, and to improve the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module. It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric power generation device which can be improved, a thermoelectric power generation module can be downsized, and heat of a high temperature side can be recovered to a low temperature side by a heat exchanger as needed.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation device for heating one end of a thermoelectric power generation module 2 and cooling the other end to generate power. The high temperature heat storage body 1 provided at one end of the power generation module 2, the heat exchanger 3, the high temperature fluid pipe 4, the switching valve 5 provided in the high temperature fluid pipe 4, and the heat exchange from the switching valve 5 To the high temperature fluid pipe 6 that extends through the heat exchanger 3 and the high temperature heat storage body 1 that extends from the switching valve 5 and through the high temperature heat storage body 1 and to the high temperature fluid pipe 6 on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction of the heat exchanger 3. The connected high-temperature fluid pipe 7, the low-temperature fluid pipe 8, the switching valve 9 provided in the low-temperature fluid pipe 8, and the switching valve 9 extending from the same and penetrating the other end side of the thermoelectric power generation module 2. It extends from the low temperature fluid pipe 10 and the switching valve 9 and extends to the thermoelectric power generation mode. In the other end of the fluid flow direction downstream of Yuru 2 and comprises a cryogenic fluid pipe 11 passing through the heat exchanger 3 as well as connected to the cryogenic fluid pipe 10.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a thermoelectric generator of the present invention is shown in FIG.
1 is a high temperature heat storage body,
Reference numeral 2 is a thermoelectric power generation module, 3 is a heat exchanger, 4 is a high temperature fluid pipe, 5 is a switching valve provided in the high temperature fluid pipe 4, 6 is extended from the switching valve 5 and penetrates the heat exchanger 3. A high temperature fluid pipe, 7 is a high temperature fluid pipe extending from the switching valve 5 and penetrating the high temperature heat storage body 1 and connected to the high temperature fluid pipe 6 on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction of the heat exchanger 3. .

Reference numeral 8 is a pipe for low temperature fluid, 9 is a switching valve provided in the pipe 8 for low temperature fluid, and 10 is a pipe for low temperature fluid which extends from the switching valve 9 and penetrates the other end side of the thermoelectric power generation module 2. , 11 extend from the switching valve 9 and are located on the downstream side of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 in the fluid flow direction, and the low temperature fluid pipe 1
It is a pipe for low temperature fluid which is connected to 0 and penetrates the heat exchanger 3.

Next, the operation of the thermoelectric generator shown in FIG. 1 will be specifically described. (1) When power is generated, the switching valve 5 is switched so that the high-temperature fluid flowing in the high-temperature fluid pipe 4 is connected to the high-temperature fluid pipe 4 →
The switching valve 5 is guided to the high temperature heat storage body 1 of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and a predetermined amount of heat is stored in the high temperature heat storage body 1, and this heat is used as a heating source for power generation. The heat storage amount of the high temperature heat storage body 1 is
It is arbitrarily determined according to the temperature and properties of the high temperature fluid.

At the time of power generation, the heat stored in the high temperature heat storage body 1 heats one end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and the switching valve 9 is switched so that the low temperature fluid flowing in the low temperature fluid pipe 8 is used as a low temperature fluid. Pipe 8 → Switching valve 9 → Pipe for low temperature fluid 1 penetrating the other end side of thermoelectric power generation module 2
0, and the other end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is cooled by the low temperature fluid flowing in the low temperature fluid pipe 10.

At this time, in the thermoelectric power generation module 2, since the heat on the high temperature side is transferred to the low temperature side by heat transfer between solids, the temperature difference of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is a straight line in FIG. 2 (solid line using high temperature heat storage body). As shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric generation module 2 is maintained substantially uniformly, and the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric generation module 2 is improved. Further, since the heat transfer in the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is performed by the heat transfer between solids as described above, the heat transfer amount is smaller than that in the case where the heat transfer is performed by the convective heat transfer as in the conventional thermoelectric power generation device. The thermoelectric power generation module 2 is downsized as a result. (2) When the heat of the high temperature fluid is recovered and used as the low temperature fluid, the switching valve 5 is switched so that the high temperature fluid flowing in the high temperature fluid pipe 4 is connected to the high temperature fluid pipe 4 → the switching valve 5 → the high temperature fluid. Piping 6 → heat exchanger 3 while switching the switching valve 9 so that the low temperature fluid flowing in the low temperature fluid piping 8 is a low temperature fluid piping 8 → a switching valve 9 → a low temperature fluid piping 11 → a heat exchanger 3 The heat of the high temperature fluid side is recovered to the low temperature fluid side by exchanging heat between the high temperature fluid piping 6 and the low temperature fluid piping 11.

It is also possible to switch the switching valves 5 and 9 as needed so that power generation by the thermoelectric power generation module 2 and heat recovery by the heat exchanger 3 can be performed simultaneously.

[0013]

In the thermoelectric generator of the present invention, when the power is generated as described above, the switching valve 5 is switched so that the high temperature fluid pipe 4 can be operated.
The high-temperature fluid flowing inside is introduced into the high-temperature fluid pipe 4 → the switching valve 5 → the high-temperature heat storage body 1 of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and a predetermined amount of heat is stored in the high-temperature heat storage body 1, and this heat is used as a heating source for power generation. To Then, at the time of power generation, the one end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is heated by the heat stored in the high temperature heat storage body 1, and the low temperature fluid flowing in the low temperature fluid pipe 8 is transferred to the low temperature fluid pipe 8 → the switching valve 9 → the low temperature fluid. Since the other end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is guided to the pipe 10 to cause a temperature difference in the thermoelectric power generation module 2, the heat of the high temperature side is transferred to the low temperature side by heat transfer between solids, so the thermoelectric power generation module The temperature difference of 2 can be maintained substantially evenly as shown by the straight line in FIG. 2 (solid line using high temperature heat storage body), and the thermoelectric power generation module 2
The power generation efficiency of can be improved.

Further, since the heat transfer in the thermoelectric power generation module 2 is performed by the heat transfer between solids as described above, the heat transfer amount is larger than that in the case where the heat transfer is performed by the convection heat transfer as in the conventional thermoelectric power generation device. Can be increased, and as a result, the thermoelectric power generation module can be downsized. When the heat of the high-temperature fluid is recovered and used as the low-temperature fluid, the switching valve 5 is switched so that the high-temperature fluid flowing in the high-temperature fluid pipe 4 is converted into the high-temperature fluid pipe 4 → the switching valve 5 → the high-temperature fluid pipe 6 → Heat exchanger 3
To the low temperature fluid pipe 8 while switching the switching valve 9
Since the low temperature fluid flowing inside is introduced into the low temperature fluid pipe 8 → the switching valve 9 → the low temperature fluid pipe 11 → the heat exchanger 3 and heat exchange is performed between the high temperature fluid pipe 6 and the low temperature fluid pipe 11, The heat exchanger can collect the heat on the high temperature side to the low temperature side as needed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a thermoelectric generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a temperature difference that occurs in a thermoelectric power generation module of the present invention and a thermoelectric power generation module of a conventional thermoelectric power generation apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a conventional thermoelectric generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High temperature heat storage body 2 Thermoelectric power generation module 3 Heat exchanger 4 High temperature fluid piping 5 Switching valve 6 High temperature fluid piping 7 High temperature fluid piping 8 Low temperature fluid piping 9 Switching valve 10 Low temperature fluid piping 11 Low temperature fluid piping

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Shinichi Tada 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Masataka Fujiwara 4-chome, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 1-2 No. 2 in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Nishino 4-1-2 1-2 Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Within Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric power generator that heats one end of a thermoelectric power generation module 2 and cools the other end to generate electric power, and heat exchange with a high temperature heat storage body 1 provided at one end of the thermoelectric power generation module 2. Device 3, high temperature fluid pipe 4, switching valve 5 provided in the high temperature fluid pipe 4, high temperature fluid pipe 6 extending from the switching valve 5 through the heat exchanger 3, and the switching The high temperature fluid pipe 7 extending from the valve 5 and penetrating the high temperature heat storage body 1 and connected to the high temperature fluid pipe 6 on the downstream side in the fluid flow direction of the heat exchanger 3; The switching valve 9 provided in the pipe 8 for low temperature fluid, the pipe 10 for low temperature fluid which extends from the switching valve 9 and penetrates the other end side of the thermoelectric power generation module 2, and the thermoelectric generation which extends from the switching valve 9 The low temperature fluid is provided downstream of the other end of the module 2 in the fluid flow direction. A thermoelectric generator comprising: a low temperature fluid pipe 11 that is connected to the heat pipe 3 and penetrates the heat exchanger 3.