Thermoelectric Generator using Ice-Water Mixture as Heat Sink and Ambient Air as Heat Source 
Mohamad Asmidzam Ahamat1, Razali Abidin2, Eida Nadirah Roslin3, Ong Yung Chieh4
1Mohamad Asmidzam Ahamat, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia.
2Razali Abidin, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3Eida Nadirah Roslin, Automotive Engineering Section, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia.
4Ong Yung Chieh, Mechanical Engineering Section, Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia.
Manuscript received on November 12, 2019. | Revised Manuscript received on November 25, 2019. | Manuscript published on 30 November, 2019. | PP: 6155-6158 | Volume-8 Issue-4, November 2019. | Retrieval Number: D5128118419/2019©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.D5128.118419
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Thermoelectric generator can utilize various combinations of heat sink and heat source. In this paper, the performance of thermoelectric generator that uses surrounding air as heat source and coldness from ice-water mixture is presented. The objective was to evaluate the open circuit voltage produced by thermoelectric generator, at a range of differences in temperature between the cold and hot surfaces of module. In this work, the thermoelectric module was placed between aluminum heat sink and cold beverage container that contained ice-water mixture. The heat sink operates using the difference in buoyancy of surrounding air (i.e. natural convection). The hot and cold surfaces temperature of thermoelectric modules was measured using Type-K thermocouples. A digital multimeter was connected to the thermoelectric module for measurement of open circuit voltage. The open circuit voltage produced by the thermoelectric generator was linearly proportional to the magnitude of difference in temperature of two surfaces of a thermoelectric module. The electrical power produced by the generator was up to 14 miliWatt. A simple test showed that with a suitable voltage amplification device, this thermoelectric generator can supply enough power for LED bulbs. The finding presented is suitable for the development of energy scavenging devices, which is relevant to stand-alone power generation system.
Keywords: Condensation, Cold Waste, Energy Scavenging, Relative Humidity, Thermoelectric Generator.
Scope of the Article: Thermal Engineering.