Modular thermoelectric units for heat recovery systems and methods thereof

Abstract

Apparatus and method for generating electricity. The apparatus includes one or more first components configured to extract heat from at least a first fluid flow at a first temperature to one or more devices configured to convert thermal energy to electric energy. The first fluid flow is in a first direction. Additionally, the apparatus includes one or more second components configured to transfer heat from the one or more devices to at least a second fluid flow at a second temperature. The second temperature is lower than the first temperature, and the second fluid flow is in a second direction. Each first part of the first fluid flow corresponds to a first shortest distance to the one or more devices, and the first shortest distance is less than half the square root of the total free flow area for a corresponding first cross-section of the first fluid flow.

1 . An apparatus for generating electricity, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more first components configured to extract heat from at least a first fluid flow at a first temperature to one or more devices configured to convert thermal energy to electric energy, the first fluid flow being in a first direction; and   one or more second components configured to transfer heat from the one or more devices to at least a second fluid flow at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, the second fluid flow being in a second direction;   wherein:
 each first part of the first fluid flow corresponds to a first shortest distance to the one or more devices, the first shortest distance being less than half the square root of the total free flow area for a corresponding first cross-section of the first fluid flow, the first cross-section being perpendicular to the first direction; and 
 each second part of the second fluid flow corresponds to a second shortest distance to the one or more devices, the second shortest distance being less than half the square root of the total free flow area for a corresponding second cross-section of the second fluid flow, the second cross-section being perpendicular to the second direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first direction varies with movement of the first fluid flow. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first direction is fixed regardless of movement of the first fluid flow. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second direction varies with movement of the second fluid flow. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second direction is fixed regardless of movement of the second fluid flow. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more first components include a first heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more second components include a second heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the one or more devices are one or more thermoelectric devices. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each of the one or more thermoelectric devices includes at least one thermoelectric material. 
     
     
         9 . A thermoelectric apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more first channels configured to receive one or more first parts of a first fluid flow at a first temperature;   one or more second channels configured to receive one or more parts of a second fluid flow at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature;   one or more third channels configured to receive one or more second parts of the first fluid flow, the one or more third channels being separated from the one or more first channels by at least the one or more second channels;   one or more first thermoelectric materials located between the one or more first channels and the one or more second channels; and   one or more second thermoelectric materials located between the one or more second channels and the one or more third channels.   
     
     
         10 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 the one or more first channels are one or more parts of a first heat exchanger; 
 the one or more second channels are one or more parts of a second heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more third channels are one or more parts of a third heat exchanger; 
 wherein the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are separated by at least the second heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         11 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the one or more first thermoelectric materials are located between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more second thermoelectric materials are located between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         12 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 the one or more first channels are one or more parts of a first heat exchanger; 
 the one or more second channels include multiple channels, at least one of the multiple channels being at least a part of a second heat exchanger, at least another one of the multiple channels being at least a part of a third heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more third channels are one or more parts of a fourth heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         13 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger are separated by at least the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger are in contact with each other. 
     
     
         15 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are parts of a first modular thermoelectric unit; and 
 the third heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger are parts of a second modular thermoelectric unit. 
 
     
     
         16 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 12  wherein:
 the one or more first thermoelectric materials are located between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more second thermoelectric materials are located between the third heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         17 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 9  wherein:
 the one or more first thermoelectric materials are not in direct contact with the one or more first channels or the one or more second channels; and 
 the one or more second thermoelectric materials are not in direct contact with the one or more second channels or the one or more third channels. 
 
     
     
         18 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the one or more second channels are further configured to receive all parts of the second fluid flow. 
     
     
         19 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A thermoelectric apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from a first fluid flow at a first temperature;   a second heat exchanger configured to extract heat from or transfer heat to a second fluid flow at a second temperature, the second temperature being different from the first temperature;   a third heat exchanger configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from a third fluid flow at the first temperature, the third heat exchanger being separated from the first heat exchanger by at least the second heat exchanger;   one or more first thermoelectric materials sandwiched between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;   one or more second thermoelectric materials sandwiched between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger; and   one or more components extending from the first heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger without making any thermal contact with the second heat exchanger;   wherein:
 the one or more first thermoelectric materials, the second heat exchanger, and the one or more second thermoelectric materials are located between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more components are configured to apply one or more compressive forces to at least the one or more first thermoelectric materials, the second heat exchanger, and the one or more second thermoelectric materials. 
   
     
     
         29 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the one or more components are not in any thermal contact with the one or more first thermoelectric materials and are not in any thermal contact with the one or more second thermoelectric materials. 
     
     
         30 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature. 
     
     
         31 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. 
     
     
         32 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 28  wherein:
 the one or more first thermoelectric materials are not in direct contact with the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger; and 
 the one or more second thermoelectric materials are not in direct contact with the second heat exchanger or the third heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         33 . The thermoelectric apparatus of  claim 28  wherein the one or more components include one or more bolts extending from the first heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger without making any thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. 
     
     
         34 . A method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
 extracting heat from at least a first fluid flow at a first temperature to one or more devices configured to convert thermal energy to electric energy, the first fluid flow being in a first direction; and   transferring heat to at least a second fluid flow at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, the second fluid flow being in a second direction;   wherein:
 each first part of the first fluid flow corresponds to a first shortest distance to the one or more devices, the first shortest distance being less than half the square root of the total free flow area for a corresponding first cross-section of the first fluid flow, the first cross-section being perpendicular to the first direction; and 
 each second part of the second fluid flow corresponds to a second shortest distance to the one or more devices, the second shortest distance being less than half the square root of the total free flow area for a corresponding second cross-section of the second fluid flow, the second cross-section being perpendicular to the second direction. 
   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the one or more devices are one or more thermoelectric devices. 
     
     
         36 . A thermoelectric method for generating electricity, the method comprising:
 receiving, by one or more first channels, one or more first parts of a first fluid flow at a first temperature;   receiving, by one or more second channels, one or more parts of a second fluid flow at a second temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature;   receiving, by one or more third channels, one or more second parts of the first fluid flow, the one or more third channels being separated from the one or more first channels by at least the one or more second channels; and   generating electricity by at least one or more first thermoelectric materials and one or more second thermoelectric materials, the one or more first thermoelectric materials located between the one or more first channels and the one or more second channels, the one or more second thermoelectric materials located between the one or more second channels and the one or more third channels.   
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method for thermoelectric conversion, the method comprising:
 transferring heat to or extracting heat from a first fluid flow at a first temperature by a first heat exchanger;   extracting heat from or transferring heat to a second fluid flow at a second temperature by a second heat exchanger, the second temperature being different from the first temperature;   transferring heat to or extracting heat from a third fluid flow at the first temperature by a third heat exchanger, the third heat exchanger being separated from the first heat exchanger by at least the second heat exchanger; and   applying, by one or more components, one or more compressive forces to at least one or more first thermoelectric materials, the second heat exchanger, and one or more second thermoelectric materials, the one or more first thermoelectric materials sandwiched between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, the one or more second thermoelectric materials sandwiched between the second heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger, the one or more first thermoelectric materials, the second heat exchanger, and the one or more second thermoelectric materials being located between the first heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger;   wherein the process for applying, by one or more components, one or more compressive forces includes extending the one or more components from the first heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger without making any thermal contact with the second heat exchanger.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the process for applying, by one or more components, one or more compressive forces includes extending the one or more components from the first heat exchanger to the third heat exchanger without making any thermal contact with the one or more first thermoelectric materials and without making any thermal contact with the one or more second thermoelectric materials. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the one or more components include one or more bolts.