Abstract
Considering heat recovery at the family-type water-cooled refrigerator, the temperature change between the exhaust heat and coolant can generate thermoelectric power using double cylinder module. Maximization of thermoelectric power was evaluated under several technical requirements by designing the optimum dimensions. Heat balance and thermal transfer via metallic electrodes and tubes between inner hot water and outer cold water were mathematically estimated under parallel flow. Heat transfer at the outer tube affects more critically than that at the inner on the electric power. The thinner thermoelectric module with the larger surface area can generate more power under some certain limitations on tube size (minimum length and practical thickness) and mass flow rate of thermal fluids (limited heat from the refrigerator). An example of optimal dimensions is proposed by taking higher flow rate of coolant, where a larger amount of hot water can be stored in the tube to supply to the kitchen and bathroom.
