System calculates TEMs conversion efficiency

Article By : Advance Riko

The F-PEM Evaluation System is designed to operate in harsher environments where thermoelectric modules are actually deployed.

Japan-based advanced thermal management and evaluation systems supplier Advance Riko has developed a system which evaluates thermoelectric modules (TEMs) that generate power from waste heat in the atmosphere.

Technologies using new methods to recover waste heat emitted from devices including incinerators and engine rooms and converting it into renewable energy have attracted growing attention. Among them, conversion of thermal energy into electricity using thermoelectric materials without any moving parts has drawn particular interest as a maintenance-free and clean technology.

The F-PEM Evaluation System has been designed to operate in harsher environments where thermoelectric modules are actually deployed, evaluating temperature differences, maximum power generation and heat flow, and calculating conversion efficiency, according to the company.

Evaluation testing by long-term operation and thermal cycling tests can also be performed not only for developing new modules, but for evaluating durability under conditions in which commercial modules are actually installed as well.

Features:

• Module output can be evaluated due to continuous load at high temperature
• Repeated Pmax measurement at regular intervals while applying long load
• Measurement applying constant load as well as modules set environment.

Based on patents developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the F-PEM Atmospheric Thermoelectric Module Evaluation System goes on sale at $68,012 (¥7 million) from November 2016.