Portable power sources using combustion of butane and thermoelectrics

Abstract

RTI is currently developing cascade and segmented thermoelectric (TE) power modules to achieve a thermal-to-electric efficiency target of 20%. In this context, we have achieved significant power levels with advanced bulk SiGe TE modules developed individually. Power levels over 1 W/sub e/ per module - with 11 W/sub e/ demonstrated by using 10 modules - now make a new thermoelectrics-based man-portable power supply potentially very attractive. These new modules are able to operate at high temperatures (>700/spl deg/C) and are thereby able to effectively utilize the temperature from direct combustion of any fuel such as butane, propane, natural gas, diesel or other logistics fuels. Combining: (1) these high-temperature SiGe TE modules with (2) a combustor with (3) a lightweight heat exchanger could enable TE to address man-portable off-grid requirements for fueled power sources.