Abstract
A brick having a function to convert directly waste heat to electric energy was made on an experimental basis. U-shaped β-FeSi2 thermocouples were manufactured by ordinary sintering technique and inserted into a firebrick using as furnace wall. To avoid damage of the thermocouples caused by thermalstress between the firebrick and the thermocouple at high temperature, the firebrick and the thermocouple having different thermal expansion coefficients were joined with a compound of (Al2O3, SiO2)-fiber and Al2O3-castable ceramics.
Optimal thickness of the thermocouple to obtain maximum electric power from one brick was examined, and it was found to be 5mm. The maximum power of the thermocouple was 55mW when the brick was heated up to 1000°C by an electric furnace.
