Research on a floating thermoelectric power generator for use in wetland monitoring

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 15; no. 5; p. e0232331
• Main Authors: Zhang, Yuqi, Zhang, Zhe, Wu, Yafeng, Ga, Latai, Xu, Daochun, Li, Wenbin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 05.05.2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Aqueous environments; Cold; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Efficiency; Electric power generation; Energy efficiency; Energy resources; Engineering and Technology; Environmental monitoring; Fresnel lenses; Generators; Heat exchangers; Insulation; Irradiation; Load distribution; Load resistance; Mathematical models; Maximum power; Physical Sciences; Power (Philosophy); Power management; Power supply; Rotors; Sensors; Solar energy; Solar irradiation; Stress concentration; Temperature; Temperature distribution; Temperature effects; Temperature gradients; Thermoelectricity; Wetlands; Wind; Wind resistance; Wind speed; Wireless networks; Wireless sensor networks; Beijing China; China
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232331

A floating power generation device is designed and fabricated to overcome the power supply limitations of wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring. Once there is a temperature difference between the upper surface exposed to sunlight and the lower surface in the water, the device is capable of generating power while floating in the wetland environment. Fresnel lenses were applied to concentrate solar irradiation on a selective absorbing coat. Meanwhile two vertical axis rotors were used to cool the cold side of the thermoelectric power generator by catching the breeze. The effects of solar irradiation, temperature distribution, load resistance, wind speed, the maximum power and the electrical efficiency of the thermoelectric power generator were analyzed. When subjected to solar irradiation of 896.38 W/m2, the device generated a potential difference of 381.03 mV and a power output of 8.86 mW via thermoelectric generation. In addition, compared with the system without wind, the output power was increased by approximately 10.96% in our system. The low power wireless networks, used in wetland environments, could be operated by the thermoelectric power generated by the floating device. Besides, this system offers powering solution for self-power miniature devices that are applied in aqueous environment.