Open AccessResearch on a floating thermoelectric power generator for use in wetland monitoring
Author(s) -
Yuqi Zhang,
Zhe Zhang,
Yafeng Wu,
Latai Ga,
Daochun Xu,
Wenbin Li
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0232331
Subject(s) - thermoelectric generator , electricity generation , electrical engineering , power (physics) , environmental science , thermoelectric effect , seebeck coefficient , materials science , generator (circuit theory) , maximum power principle , electric power , optoelectronics , automotive engineering , photovoltaic system , engineering , physics , electrical resistivity and conductivity , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
A floating power generation device is designed and fabricated to overcome the power supply limitations of wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring. Once there is a temperature difference between the upper surface exposed to sunlight and the lower surface in the water, the device is capable of generating power while floating in the wetland environment. Fresnel lenses were applied to concentrate solar irradiation on a selective absorbing coat. Meanwhile two vertical axis rotors were used to cool the cold side of the thermoelectric power generator by catching the breeze. The effects of solar irradiation, temperature distribution, load resistance, wind speed, the maximum power and the electrical efficiency of the thermoelectric power generator were analyzed. When subjected to solar irradiation of 896.38 W/m 2 , the device generated a potential difference of 381.03 mV and a power output of 8.86 mW via thermoelectric generation. In addition, compared with the system without wind, the output power was increased by approximately 10.96% in our system. The low power wireless networks, used in wetland environments, could be operated by the thermoelectric power generated by the floating device. Besides, this system offers powering solution for self-power miniature devices that are applied in aqueous environment.