Authors: Matteo Paolo Codecasa Carlo Fanciulli Roberto Gaddi Francisco GomezPaz Francesca Passaretti
Publish Date: 2014/08/07
Volume: 44, Issue: 1, Pages: 377-383
Abstract
Heating by gas combustion by use of different types of systems and plants is widespread in residential and industrial environments One example is the gas stove the heatradiating unit of which operates autonomously with a local gas feed and possibly electricity for an optional fan convector A thermoelectric generator TEG can be integrated within this type of autonomous gas heater for local production of electric power to support electrical auxiliaries where desired without the need for any connection to the electricity grid This approach can lead to easier installation and operation and increases overall efficiency A new prototype of an autonomous gas heater has been implemented by integration of a TEG device of simple and robust design easily operated by the end user A small amount of heat is withdrawn and converted into electricity by the TEG This enables selfsustaining operation and moreover powers new ancillary functions eg fan convector without extra electrical requirements and no need for an electrical connectionThis work was partly funded under the framework agreement between CNR and Regione Lombardia Sincere acknowledgements are due to laboratory technician Enrico Bassani for preparation of components for instrumentation and for the experimental setup The Italkero Company and some of the authors have a patent pending for the technical solution presented in this report
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