Harvest a vast untapped reservoir of energy with this essential resource
The search for widely available, sustainable energy sources is arguably the defining challenge of the current era. Low-Grade Heat, a term referring to temperatures under 100 degrees Celsius, is an incredibly abundant form of energy in the natural world, but not one which existing sustainable technologies have been able to harvest efficiently and sustainably. The ubiquity of this energy, however, gives it huge potential to address the looming energy crisis.
Low-Grade Heat Harvesting surveys existing technologies for utilizing low-grade heat and the related techniques for storing and converting low-grade heat energy. Beginning with the basic thermodynamic principles underlying low-grade heat, it proceeds to work systematically through the major categories of low-grade heat harvesting device, offering a comprehensive overview of the state of the field.
Low-Grade Heat Harvesting readers will also find: - A focus on emerging technologies - Detailed discussion of thermoelectric devices for low-grade heat harvesting, liquid-based thermocells for heat-to-current conversion, and many more - Authored by an acknowledged expert in energy storage and conversion
Low-Grade Heat Harvesting is ideal for materials scientists, electrochemists, electronics engineers, and anyone else working to address energy needs.
Table of Contents
About the Author ix
Preface xi
1 Backgrounds and Principles of Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 1
1.1 Backgrounds and History 2
1.2 Working Principles of Current Systems 5
1.2.1 Seebeck Effect 5
1.2.2 Peltier Effect 6
1.2.3 Thomson Effect 6
1.2.4 Thermodiffusion Effect 8
1.2.5 Thermogalvanic Effect 9
1.2.6 Thermoextraction Effect 10
1.3 Parameters for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 11
1.3.1 Seebeck Coefficient 13
1.3.2 Electrical Conductivity 13
1.3.3 Thermal Conductivity 14
1.3.4 Conversion Efficiency 15
1.3.5 Power Density 18
References 19
2 Conventional Thermoelectric Devices for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 21
2.1 Basic Structure and Working Principle of Electronic Thermoelectric Device 21
2.1.1 Working Principle of Electronic Thermoelectric Devices 21
2.1.1.1 Seebeck Effect 21
2.1.1.2 Peltier Effect 22
2.1.1.3 Thomson Effect 23
2.2 Material System of Electronic Thermoelectric Device 24
2.2.1 Bi2Te3-Based Thermoelectric Material 25
2.2.2 PbX (X = S, Se, Te) Compound 28
2.2.3 SiGe Alloy 31
2.3 Performance and Optimization Method of Electronic Thermoelectric Device 33
2.4 Manufacturing Process of Electronic Thermoelectric Devices 36
2.5 Design, Integration and Application of Electronic Thermoelectric Device 38
2.5.1 Single-Stage/Multi-Stage Device Structure Design 38
2.5.2 Selection of Electrode Material and Electrode Connection Technology 39
2.5.3 Thermoelectric Material/Electrode Transition Layer and Interface Structure 39
2.5.4 Device Application and Service Performance 40
References 42
3 Polymer-based Thermoelectric Devices for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 43
3.1 Introduction 43
3.2 Conversion Process and Mechanism 45
3.3 Current Material Types and Design Principles 49
3.3.1 p-type Organic TE Materials 50
3.3.2 n-Type Organic TE Materials 52
3.3.3 PEDOT Derivatives 56
3.3.4 Carbon Nanotubes/Conductive Polymer Composites 57
3.3.5 Inorganic Semiconductive Nanomaterials/Polymer Composites 58
3.4 Construction and Functionalization of TE Devices 60
References 64
4 Liquid-Based Thermocells for Heat-To-Current Conversion 67
4.1 Introduction 67
4.2 Basis of Thermocells Design 68
4.3 Engineering Strategies for Liquid-based Thermocells 74
4.3.1 Redox Couples 74
4.3.2 Electrolyte 77
4.3.3 Electrode 79
4.4 Direct and Indirect Thermocell Applications 82
References 85
5 Thermosensitive Thermocells for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 87
5.1 Introduction 87
5.2 Design Principle and Method of Thermosensitive Thermocells 88
5.2.1 Working Principle of Thermosensitive Thermocells 88
5.2.2 Measurement Conditions of Thermosensitive Thermocells 90
5.2.3 The Basic Principle and Design Points of Thermosensitive Thermocells 91
5.2.3.1 Working Principle of Thermosensitive Thermocells 91
5.2.3.2 The Hot End Temperature of Thermosensitive Thermocells is Calculated by CJC 93
5.2.3.3 Key Point of System Design of Thermosensitive Thermocells 94
5.2.3.4 The Basic Law of Thermosensitive Thermocells 95
5.2.3.5 Thermosensitive Thermocells Requirements for Thermal Electrode Materials 96
5.3 Performance Test Method and Device Integration Technology of Thermosensitive Thermocells 98
5.3.1 Electrode Material Selection and Electrode-Connected Technology of Thermosensitive Thermocells 99
5.3.2 Device Construction and Functionalization of Thermosensitive Thermocells 101
5.3.2.1 The Basic Structure of Thermosensitive Thermocells 101
5.3.2.2 The Interface Structure of Thermosensitive Thermocells 104
5.3.3 Performance Test Method of Thermosensitive Thermocells 105
5.3.3.1 Evaluation and Measurement of Conversion Efficiency and Output Power 105
5.3.3.2 Measurement of Thermoelectric Properties of Materials by Harman Method 107
5.4 Summary and Perspective 108
References 109
6 Wearable Power Generation via Thermoelectrochemical Devices 111
6.1 Introduction 111
6.2 Thermoelectrochemical Devices Requirements for Wearables 113
6.2.1 Filler Material 113
6.2.2 Thermal Load Matching 113
6.2.3 Lateral Heat Flow and Substrates Effecting 115
6.3 Materials Toward Wearable Devices 116
6.3.1 Inorganic Material 116
6.3.2 Organic Polymer Material 121
6.3.3 Organic-Inorganic Composite Material 128
6.4 Summary and Future Trend 133
References 134
7 Thermoelectric Ionogel for Low-Grade Heat Harvesting 137
7.1 Introduction 137
7.2 Thermoelectric Performance of Thermoelectric Ionogels 139
7.2.1 Basic Performance 139
7.2.2 Thermodiffusion Cell 141
7.2.3 Thermogalvanic Effect 143
7.2.4 Synergistic Thermodiffusion and Thermogalvanic Effect 145
7.3 Preparation of Thermoelectric Ionogel 145
7.4 Application of Thermoelectric Ionogel 149
7.5 Challenges and Opportunities 152
References 152
8 Alkali Metal Thermal Electrochemical Converter 155
8.1 Introduction 155
8.2 The Single- and Dual-Stage Alkali Metal Thermal Electrochemical Converter 158
8.2.1 The Single-Stage Sodium Thermal Electrochemical Converter 158
8.2.2 The Dual-Stage Sodium Thermal Electrochemical Converter 163
8.3 The Alkali Metal Thermal Electrochemical Converter Devices 169
8.3.1 Working Fluids for AMTEC 169
8.3.2 Electrode for AMTEC 171
8.4 Challenges and Opportunities 171
References 174
9 Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycle and Other Techniques 177
9.1 Introduction 177
9.2 Progresses of TRECs 180
9.3 Combination of TRECs with Other Techniques 186
9.4 Challenges and Outlooks 190
References 193
10 Integration of Energy Conversion and Storage Devices 195
10.1 Introduction 195
10.2 Mechanisms 196
10.2.1 Thermally Regenerative Electrochemical Cycles (TRECs) 200
10.3 Engineering Designs for Thermoelectrochemical Cells 203
10.3.1 p/n-Type Conversion 203
10.3.2 Functional Designs 205
10.3.3 Device Integration and Applications 207
10.4 Summary and Outlooks 210
References 212
Index 215
