P10462: Thermoelectric Power System for
Cookstove
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Young Jo Fontaine – ME – Thermoelectric
Design, Placement, and Thermal Analysis
Dan Higgins – EE – Power Control System
Shawn Hoskins – ME – Project Leader,
Interface Liaison
Luke Poandl – EE – Battery and Auxiliary
Power
Dan Scannell – ME – Fan Design/Selection,
Placement, and Flow Analysis
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Rural Haitians currently cook indoors using
inefficient wood-burning stoves
Due to incomplete combustion, particulate
emissions are released and fuel is not being used
to its full potential
The people of Haiti face serious health problems
due to smoke inhalation as well as complete
deforestation of their country due to inefficient
use of wood
Goal of project track is to develop a stove that
uses a thermoelectrically powered fan to
introduce proper airflow and promote complete
combustion of fuel
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Goal of project is to develop a thermoelectric
power system for a COTS cookstove
Thermoelectrics create an electric potential
when subjected to a temperature difference
Using the heat from the fire, a thermoelectric
module could possibly produce power for the
fan, recharging a battery, and auxiliary uses
(i.e. cell phone charging)
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Power a fan using TEG
Start fan on battery power
When a sufficient temperature difference
across the TEG is realized, power fan with
output of TEG
Recharge the batteries with TEG power output
Provide auxiliary power for charging a
cellphone with TEG power output
System should be affordable for Haitians and
simple to build
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Current stove has
fan that runs off AA
batteries
Objective is to
provide similar
airflow using TEG
as power source
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System is designed as a “backpack” unit
◦ Can be affixed to multiple stoves
◦ Requires only two openings to be cut in current
stove’s wall
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Heat is supplied to the TEG through an
aluminum rod (exposed to fire) and flat plate
TEG is cooled by an aluminum heat sink and
airflow from the fan
Airflow is directed through a duct similar to
the heat sink geometry and into the stove
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System starts on battery power (3 AA’s)
System switches to TEG as main power when
TEG begins to provide sufficient power
TEG powers the fan, recharges the batteries,
and provides power for charging a cell phone
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System was designed for Taihuaxing TEP112635-3.4
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Provides 2.8 Watts of power at peak operation
Single order: $50
1,000+ order: $8.60
Lead time: 1 week
Allows higher overheating protection compared to
similar TEG’s (380°C)
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Taihuaxing TEP1-1264-1.5
◦ Higher potential power output (5.9W)
◦ Similar pricing and lead time to TEP1-12635-3.4
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Marlow TG 12-4-01L & 12-6-01L
◦ Lower maximum temperature (250°C)
◦ Higher prices ($12.50 to $20.00)
◦ No lead time
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Will order these additional TEG’s and use for
testing/possible implementation
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Prevents overcharging of batteries
Does not allow auxiliary power use when TEG
is not actively providing power
Does not incorporate MPPT, but was deemed
most realistic/practical design
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Flow analysis was redone using the square
geometry of the heat sink as a duct
Results were compared to that of the stove’s
current system
Minimal difference was realized between the
two designs
Duct will be constructed of sheet metal and
will be 2.6” square
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
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Current
Design
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Design was redone by varying the length of
rod within the combustion chamber, as
opposed to the length of rod outside the
stove
Length of rod outside the stove was set to
1cm
Found that potential for overheating and
destroying the TEG was much more likely
Therefore, decided to keep original design
Also, melting point of aluminum is not
expected to be reached
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The TEG will be secured to the flat plate and heat
sink through the use of four 10-32 socket cap
screws
Screws will pass through holes in the flat plate
and heat sink larger than their diameter to
prevent conduction from the hot side to the heat
sink
Each screw will be secured using a 10-32 hex nut
and will be insulated on each side with a PTFE
washer
Heat sink and flat plate are larger than the
footprint of the TEG to allow for screw through
holes
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Estimated cost of prototype build is $101.67
Estimated cost of production (1000+) is
$46.26
This is assuming all parts are purchased offthe-shelf; some components can be
fabricated for a lesser cost