Development and Validation of an Electrical Energy Harvesting System Utilising the Seebeck Effect for use in AUV/Submarines

Kelly, Jordan and Cheneler, David and Richardson, Andrew (2023) Development and Validation of an Electrical Energy Harvesting System Utilising the Seebeck Effect for use in AUV/Submarines. Masters thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) utilise the Seebeck effect which can directly convert heat energy into electricity. When a temperature difference is created across the TEG modules, an electromotive force will be generated if the modules are connected in an electric circuit with a load. As the planet aims to reduce its carbon footprint clean methods of generating electricity are increasing in demand, and therefore so is the research into the use of TEG modules. This research aimed to determine how TEGs could be used in utilising the temperature difference between the inside of a small submarine and the water which surrounds it and predict how much electrical power could be produced. This was done using both Ansys software and physical experiments. A test rig was built to emulate the conditions which would be experienced by the TEG modules in a submarine, with a warmer constant temperature on one side and the other side cooled by flowing chilled water. Many materials and the potential addition of heat transfer fins were tested, and all experimental tests performed were then simulated in Ansys Fluent and Thermal Electric to ascertain how accurate the simulations represent real-world results. The tests were performed from temperatures ranges between approximately 5⁰C ≤ T ≤ 20⁰C, it was decided that all temperatures 17⁰C and below simulated in Ansys would give a fair representation of how much power the TEGs could produce.Using the information from these tests and simulations, scaled up models we simulated in Ansys to model the TEG modules in a submarine section. These results showed that the use of heat transfer fins was not necessary due to the thickness of the submarine wall and the velocity at which the submarine would travel. At a temperature difference of 15⁰C between the inside of the submarine and the water flowing around it, four TEG modules connected in series can be expected to produce 0.35W.