Experimental Investigation of Thermoelectric Power Generator Using D-Mannitol Phase Change Material for Transient Heat Recovery

Thermoelectric technology, a solid state technology that converts heat energy into usable electricity, have gained a great attention in the field of renewable energy resources. This paper presents an importance of phase change material (PCM) of D-Mannitol attached in the hot side of commercially available Bi2Te3 based thermoelectric module on the recovery of transient heat so as to boost the conversion efficiency. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current of TEG attached in the D-Mannitol were recorded for heating and cooling in the temperature range of 323 K-450 K. During heating cycle, the thermal energy produced by external heater is stored in the PCM which is used as a heat source for power generation during cooling. Particularly, the maximum open circuit voltage drawn in presence of external heater is 1.23 V which moderately reduces to 0.4 V after 15 min. The maximum power drawn in the heater on and heater off are 20.8 mW and 0.48 mW respectively.