Articles techniques et présentations

An autonomous gas-heater for outdoor environments was selected as a test-case for cogeneration in gas-heaters and stoves, permitting installation and operation without need of an electrical network connection. A thermoelectric generator (TEG) was designed, converting part of produced heat into electrical power for auxiliaries (ventilation) or ancillary functions (illumination). Design approach, TEG\'s layout and structure, constraints for integration in gas-heater, are discussed; main components are examined: hot-side heat collector, capturing heat from the flame; thermoelectric module technology and selection; natural-convection heat-radiator; optimization of thermal chain; assembly and design as a whole.

A prototype has been built and tested. Functional behavior has been modeled through multiphysics simulation, allowing for further optimization and extrapolation of results towards more complex designs.