Thermoelectric output enhancement using an aluminium tube as PCM- based storage for thermoelectric road harvesting

Md Suraini, Putra Hariz Haikal (2024) Thermoelectric output enhancement using an aluminium tube as PCM- based storage for thermoelectric road harvesting. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Due to the enormous amount of waste heat produced by asphalt pavement, road thermal energy harvesting has gained more attention in recent years. In this project, a thermoelectric energy harvesting system (TEH) that utilized the heat from the surface of asphalt pavement is studied. This thesis aimed to design new TEHs with phase change material (PCM) as cold storage to retain subterranean cooling by simulation and experimentally. The design model consisted of an asphalt base holder to hold the asphalt, a top plate for heating, and a bottom plate for cooling. The top plate is exposed on the asphalt surface to harvest heat from sunlight, and the bottom plate is submerged into the pavement. The bottom plate is then connected to the H-shape cooling element, and both cylinder tubes are filled with PCMs. The heat transfer analysis for the TEHs is performed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation and validated with an experimental investigation. Two types of PCM are used, PCM RT 25 and paraffin wax, PCM RT 30. Results indicate that PCM RT 30 outperforms PCM RT 25, yielding a higher temperature difference. The average generated output voltage is 1.2V with a temperature difference of 20.16°C for PCM RT 30. At the same time, RT 25 achieves only 0.9V with a temperature difference of 14.2°C. Consequently, utilizing PCM RT 30 enables charging 5F supercapacitors to reach 3.8V within 2.50 hours, marking a significant achievement in this study.

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