Research and development on a thermoelectric power generating system using low-calorie exhaust gas. II

The authors have developed U-type Fe-Si porous thermoelectric devices (ex./spl phi/ 30 mm/spl times/20 mm) and succeeded to generate electricity by the reciprocating combustion of low-calorie gas. The obtained electric power and efficiency are not presently unsatisfied, but they assure the first step of design criteria of a 10 kW generating system for the near future. In this paper, the authors present a concept of this system and key technologies such as materials, porous processing, reciprocating combustion, etc.