Waste Heat Recovery: Thermoelectric Power Generation Technology
General Descriptions
A significant portion of energy used in industry and transportation is lost as waste heat. Waste heat is generally categorized into three levels based on temperature: High (>600°C), Medium (200 ~ 400°C), and Low (<200°C) .
Low-temperature waste heat accounts for over 60% of the total, yet it is often directly discharged because its lower energy grade makes it difficult to utilize.
Thermoelectric power generation efficiency saw a major breakthrough around the year 2,000 with the introduction of nanotechnology. Based on its ability to convert energy directly through materials, the technology offers several advantages: simple structure, no moving parts, low maintenance requirements, and flexible installation scales (ranging from several Watts to several Kilowatts). Consequently, the value of thermoelectric technology in industrial waste heat applications is steadily emerging. While commercial thermoelectric modules—primarily based on Bismuth Telluride (BiTe) alloys—still have relatively low heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency (typically <5%), they are becoming commercially competitive due to mass production and the fact that the energy source is free waste heat.
Specifications
Power Generation Scale: Several Watts to 10 kW per single module.
Applicable Heat Sources: Flue gas, steam, thermal radiation, hot water (including hot springs), and other thermal liquids.
Operating Temperature: 90°C and above.
Power Output Options:
(1) Direct Use: DC (Direct Current).
(2) Inverter Conversion: Converted to AC (Alternating Current).
(3) Grid-Tied: Output to the facility’s power grid via a grid-tied inverter.
Applications
(1) Residual High-Temperature Gases: Flue gas from combustion equipment, waste steam.
(2) Process Liquid Fluids: Water, oil, etc.
(3) Thermal Radiation: From high-temperature metal materials or hardware surfaces.
(4) Geothermal & Hot Springs: Direct heat extraction for power.