Engineering Assessment of TEG and TEG/FC Technology Growth Potential. Phase II. Thermoelectric Generator and Fuel Cell Technology Growth Potential.

摘要

The TEGs referred to in this report consist of an array of thermocouple elements heated on one face by a self-contained burner and cooled on the other face by air or a liquid-to-air system. The thermocouple elements are typically semiconductor material, and they develop a voltage proportional to the temperature differential maintained across them and an available current that is proportional to the heat flow. Fuel cells consist of a two-stage system in which fuel is first processed into hydrogen and then fed, together with air, to a cell stack. In the cell stack, hydrogen releases electrons in reaction with the oxygen (from the air) thus creating water and a flow of electrons. The cell stack collects the electrons liberated in the reaction and delivers the electrical energy to the external circuit or load.