Study of the thermoelectric module TGM-127-1.4-2.0 for low-current systems of agricultural enterprises

Abstract

Control of parameters of engineering communications and energy metering system (electric grid, water supply, heating, sewerage, etc.) is a topical direction for research in the field of application of non-traditional energy sources. The technical means used for collecting, processing and transmitting information relate to low-current power supply systems. Correct and reliable operation of low-voltage systems requires the creation of optimal conditions which include uninterrupted power supply. Despite the effectiveness of low-current energy monitoring systems, not all required measurement points are equipped with these systems. More importantly, they require electrical energy to function. The use of an autonomous power source makes it possible to control and fix the necessary parameters while also providing local lighting of the working areas. One of the promising independent power sources for such systems is a thermoelectric generator (TEG) which converts heat losses into electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator consists of thermoelectric modules the number of which depends on the required output parameters. To study and identify the most effective thermoelectric modules, an experimental installation of a thermoelectric generator with a forced cooling system was developed. Based on the analysis of the technical characteristics of low-temperature thermoelectric elements, the thermoelectric module of the brand TGM-127-1.4-2 was selected. During the experiments, it has been found that the examined thermoelectric module is the most suitable for the developed TEG design, because its technical parameters and output are able to provide an autonomous power supply to a weak-current system based on LoRaWAN wireless communication network.