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Thermoelectric Generation by Radiative Cooling of the Earth

Thermoelectric Generation by Radiative Cooling of the Earth. Adam Vore Stella Kim Jung Hye Lee Jovani Tafoya. Overview. Need/Purpose Theory Theoretical vs. Actual Data Construction Advantages/Disadvantages Commercial Viability Results/Conclusion. Need/Purpose.

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Thermoelectric Generation by Radiative Cooling of the Earth

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  1. Thermoelectric Generation by Radiative Cooling of the Earth Adam Vore Stella Kim Jung Hye Lee Jovani Tafoya

  2. Overview • Need/Purpose • Theory • Theoretical vs. Actual Data • Construction • Advantages/Disadvantages • Commercial Viability • Results/Conclusion

  3. Need/Purpose • Solar Cells need sunlight • Electricity is needed at night • Maximizing generated power

  4. Atmospheric Window Theory Blackbody curve for a body at 300K • The Atmosphere is clear • In the 8-14mm range • Most of the radiation of a 300K body is in the “Atmospheric window” Governing Equation

  5. Theory P • Voltage is generated by temperature difference • Power is generated by heat flow Governing Equations

  6. Theory • Heat Flow Governed by Boltzmann radiation law • Typical values for Thot and Tcold are • Thot =15oC (air temperature) • Tcold=-50oC (sky radiometric temperature) Governing Equations

  7. Theory -60oC Photon path 5oC T.E. Generator 15oC • Net Radiation flux out • Heat flow

  8. Data • Performance was better than expected • Probably due to Thermoelectric element not covering entire area of emmitter • Measurements taken with the following equipment • 1 Apogee instruments infrared thermometer for sky temp • 1 Vaisala Weather station for air temp • 1 Campbell Scientific CR1000 datalogger for voltage measurements

  9. Construction • Aluminum reflectors • Copper Emmiters • Foam Insulation • Thermoelectric • Epoxy • Dry ice • Voltage meter

  10. Advantages ECONOMICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL • SUSTAINABLE RESOURCES • LESS MAINTENANCE FEE • ECO-FRIENDLY

  11. Disadvantage LIMITED AREAS • LOCATIONS • HUMIDITY • SEASON

  12. Commercial Viability • A Football field could generate 50kW • For a 1MW powerplant, you’d need 20 football fields • At a cost of $2/cm2 it would cost $66,000,000 per football field • Costs would go down with a high level of production • Target cost of $30,000 per football field • Low maintenance costs (cleaning)

  13. Results/Conclusion • A football field could power a house (average daily residential use: ) • Micro thermoelectric generator can reduce the area required Standard thermoelectric generator mini thermoelectric generator 3.6 mm2 – 38.44 cm2 2.5 mm2 – 1.2 mm2

  14. High start up costs : $50,000 Solar panel : $ 11,500 wind turbine: minimum $ 2,000/kW

  15. Inexpensive maintenance • Cost effective in long-term (Average monthly electricity bill: $95.66) Pays back after 26 yrs

  16. Sustainable Environmentally friendly 

  17. Questions? • Please direct all your questions toward Jovani

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