10.8D According to researchers, advances in nanomaterial fabrication are leading to development of tiny thermoelectric modules that...

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Mechanical Engineering

10.8D According to researchers, advances in nanomaterial
fabrication are leading to development of tiny thermoelectric
modules that could be used in various applications, including
integrating nanoscale cooling devices within the uniforms of
firefighters, emergency workers, and military personnel;
embedding thermoelectric modules in facades of a building;
and using thermoelectric modules to recover waste heat in
automobiles. Research two applications for this technology
proposed within the past five years. Investigate thetechnical
readiness and economic feasibility for each concept. Report yourfindings in an executive summary.

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3.8 Ratings (673 Votes)

Applications of THERMO ELECTRIC MODULES Thermo Electric Modules can be used for Waste heat recovery and shapeengineerable thermoelectric painting Waste Heat Recovery A typical automobile converts about onequarter of the combusted fuel energy to useful work while the remaining energy escapes as waste heat through the radiator and engine exhaust The American manufacturing industry as a whole does a better job of utilizing energy but still roughly onethird of the energy consumed escapes as heat to the atmosphere or to cooling systemsWaste heat recovery recaptures this lost heat for conversion into electrical power As researchers attempt to address this task TE conversion continues to emerge as a prime candidate for waste heat recovery applications Not all waste heat streams are good candidates for thermoelectric waste heat recovery Since thermoelectric efficiency is a function of temperature difference most lowgrade waste heat applications at temperatures below 200C are not good candidates for waste heat recovery The conversion efficiencies will be too low to provide adequate payback eg three years for the thermoelectrics associated heat exchangers and other hardwareHigher energy waste streams such as automobile engine exhaust have larger temperature differences and yield higher conversion efficiencies Higher temperatures require higher temperature thermoelectric materials with higher figures of merit ZTs over the temperature range of interest Lead tellurides skutterudites clathrates magnesium See Answer

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