熱電素子を用いた空冷式発電システムの研究

抄録

This study is to investigate of utilization of thermal energy by slight temperature difference. We focused on an electric power generation system using waste thermal energy of hot spring water. An experiment has been carried out using the Peltier elements to generate the electric power by using the Seebeck effect. In order to provide both sides of the Peltier element with temperature difference, an experimental apparatus consists of a rectangular pipe to drain hot water and some heat sinks for air-cooling. A 24 hours' continuous experiment was carried out because the generated voltage greatly affected by air temperature. The result shows that the relationship between generated voltage and air temperature was negative correlations. On the other hand, when the wind velocity becomes large even if it is short time, the cooling effect of the pin fin was large. Thus, the generated voltage was increased.