Performance Analysis of a Mini-Thermoelectric Engine for the Generation of Electricity

In this research work a small thermal engine was utilized for generation of electrical energy and its operation was analyzed in terms of the output performance with various external load resistances and different flywheel rotations. It was seen from the results that with increase of the external load there is a less considerable increase in voltage. It has been observed that by an increasing the external load from 100 Ω to about 2000 Ω, a rapid decrease in the output power is occurred. However, beyond a specific value of about 2000 Ω the decrease in the electrical power is relatively small. It was obvious from the results of output voltage, current and power with respect to the increase in hot air temperature (T₁) that these physical quantities are increased at a constant rate for specific range of temperatures, from 185 °C to about 240 °C. It was worth mentioning that at higher temperatures the rate of increase in output voltage was reduced, implying that the expansion rate of hot air is getting saturated and the rotating speed of the flywheel reached its maximum capability to generate electricity.