Effect of geometrical structure of embedded phase change material on the power generation of thermoelectric module

The effect of geometrical structure of embedded phase change material (PCM) on the power generation of the thermoelectric module (TEM) was studied in this work. Paraffin wax with different geometrical structure was embedded in a polymer container which is adhered to the hot junction of the fabricated TEM. Since the PCM can used as the heat source and provide latent heat when the heat source stops providing heat, applying the PCM in the TEM is an efficiency method to enhance the power generation of the TEM. Our experimental results show that the energy harvesting time becomes 60 seconds longer in comparison with the case without the PCM when 4.3 g weight of paraffin wax is applied. At the same time, the power generation of the TEM increases by magnitude of 25%. Moreover, the output voltage and electrical energy generation of TEM with PCM increase with increasing both cross-area and height of the applied PCM.