thermoelectric research in csiro
DESCRIPTION
Outline of new materials research and applications for thermoelectrics at CSIROTRANSCRIPT
Thermoelectrics Capabilities CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE)
Dr. Nick Savvides, Dr. Karl Müller, Dr. Haiyan Chen, Jack Ling, Dr. Dong Chen, Sarah Miller, and Dr. Howard Lovatt
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Motivation
• Figure of merit for thermoelectrics • Current best materials have ZT ~1 • Typical system efficiency 5 - 12% • ZT ~ 2 would give up to 25% efficiency • (For reference, current combustion engine efficiency ~25%!)
1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Temperature (K)
ZT: f
igur
e of
mer
it 1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Si1-xGex PbTe
BiSb
Bi2Te3
Room temperature
TZTκσα 2
=
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Materials Research
• Aims of present work • Prepare fine Mg2Si, Mg2Ge, Mg2Sn and their solid solutions • Characterize the microstructure, TE prop: α, σ, κ • Optimize ZT by nanostructuring …..
• Processing • Ingots & single-crystals
• direct-melting, Bridgman method, zone-melting… • Dense compacts:
• Reduction to nano-powders, mechanical alloying, hot pressing…
• Characterization • Microstructure & composition: XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX… • TE properties: Seebeck, resistivity, thermal conductivity …. • Device assembly & testing…..
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Mg2Sn
αx
Isotropy αy
Seebeck Coefficient
Compound Literature CSIRO
Mg2Si 200 – 500 µV/K 330 – 350 µV/K
Mg2Ge 200 – 700 220 – 360
Mg2Sn 20 – 115 135 – 188
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Electrical Conductivity
Dramatic increase in electrical conductivity with control of eutectic composition
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Theoretical Materials
Motivation • No theoretical limit to performance • Recent reports of experimental
materials with high ZT
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Molecular Quantum Dot
0D ~1 nm
Nanoparticle Electron Reservoir
~100 nm
Theoretical Materials
Result • CSIRO has a provisional patent on a novel material - offers high ZT ~10
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Genset Waste Heat Recovery
• 30 kW natural gas Genset
• Waste heat from exhaust 18kW • Target electricity 500W
• FY 07/08: Demonstration unit
Pump
Boile
r
Expander
Con
dens
er
Water Heater
85°C90°C
95°C
5.4 L/min
+17kW
+17kW
-34kW +34kW -30kW
520°C 150°C
Pump
Boile
r
Expander
Con
dens
er
Water Heater
85°C90°C
95°C
5.4 L/min
+17kW
+17kW
-34kW +34kW -30kW
520°C 150°C
Pump
Boile
r
Expander
Con
dens
er
Water Heater
85°C90°C
95°C
5.4 L/min
+17kW
+17kW
-34kW +34kW -30kW
520°C 150°C
Thermoelectric
Electric Output
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
TEG System in Construction
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Solar Thermoelectric Design and Analysis
• Motivation: To design and evaluate solar thermoelectric systems suitable for urban, rural and remote locations
• Facilities and Capabilities: • The National Solar Energy Centre in Newcastle has tracking solar
collector systems including parabolic troughs and heliostat array. A solar dish is located at Lucas Heights
• The National Solar Energy Centre continuously records accurate local weather data for system analysis
• Design and analysis of solar thermal systems using the latest tools and techniques developed by, and in collaboration with, the international solar thermal community
• Multidisciplinary team of physicists, electrical, electronic, mechanical and chemical engineers with expertise in optics, fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Concentrating Solar Facilities
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
DET Thermoelectric Activities
• Engaging with major engineering company on feasibility of harnessing energy from the environment, including a low temperature, non-concentrating, solar powered thermoelectric device ($70k)
• Performing an techno-economic appraisal of a solar thermoelectric trough concept
• Evaluating technologies for harnessing energy from the environment to power sensors. Literature review in progress
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Power Conditioning and Control
Power generation • Convert/invert voltage • Need to find maximum power point and convert/invert voltages
CSIRO. Thermoelectric Capabilities
Applications
• Medical hyperthermia/hypothermia • Energy conservation • Waste heat energy recovery • Sensing • Refrigeration • Solar thermal power generation
Thank You
Contact Us Phone: 1300 363 400 or +61 3 9545 2176
Email: [email protected] Web: www.csiro.au
CSIRO Material Science and Engineering (CMSE) Dr. Howard C Lovatt Stream Leader - Energy Conversion Devices
Phone: +61 2 9413 7412 Email: [email protected] Web: www.csiro.au