Title: Design and performance evaluation of thermoelectric generator stove and comparison with traditional, natural and forced draft stoves

Authors: Risha Mal; Rajendra Prasad; Virendra K. Vijay

Addresses: Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India ' Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India ' Centre for Rural Development and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India

Abstract: The recent work examines the performance of thermoelectric generator (TEG) stove. A TEG is a semiconductor device which converts heat energy directly to electrical energy when a temperature difference is maintained in both the sides of the TEG. The novelty of recent developed design is that a TEG is embedded on the outer wall of the combustion chamber of the forced draft stove. When a temperature difference of 200°C is maintained a power of 9 W is generated from TEG and the generated power is utilised to drive a small dc fan. The excess generated electrical energy can be utilised for lighting and charging a mobile phone. The fan's air cools the cold side of the TEG and the same air is directed inside of combustion chamber. The air improves combustion efficiency and reduces harmful emissions. The performance of the TEG stove is tested by measuring the thermal efficiency, carbon monoxide and particulate matter and then compared with different existing stoves.

Keywords: thermoelectric generators; TEG stoves; dc fans; heat sink; dc-dc converter; biomass stoves; combustion; emissions; waste heat; performance evaluation; traditional stoves; natural stoves; forced draft stoves; TEG design; thermal efficiency; carbon monoxide; particulate matter; cooking stoves.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2015.073793

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2015 Vol.11 No.3, pp.220 - 233

Received: 11 Mar 2015
Accepted: 24 Apr 2015
Published online: 22 Dec 2015 *

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