Optimized Thermal Management Technology for Thermoelectric Generators

The proposed program will improve the thermal management of a man-portable thermoelectric generator (TEG) by developing a heat pipe enhanced heat rejection heat exchanger that transfers heat directly to the air when the ambient temperature is low, but uses a small amount of water to promote evaporative cooling when the ambient temperature is high or when increased generating power is required.The use of evaporative cooling can reduce the heat rejection temperature from 110 C for the boiling water case to only 38 C for high heat flux evaporative cooling.In addition, Yankee will develop technology to improve the heat flow to and from the core thermoelectric module by utilizing thin dielectric coatings in place of the traditional ceramic insulating wafers commonly used.This will allow a greater level of power generation for a given available temperature difference.