High efficiency thermoelectric generation

Abstract

A thermoelectric power generating system is provided that includes at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with at least a first portion of a first working fluid. The first portion of the first working fluid flows through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one thermoelectric assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one first heat exchanger. The at least one thermoelectric assembly further includes at least one second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the plurality of thermoelectric elements and with a second working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The second working fluid is cooler than the first working fluid. The thermoelectric power generating system further includes at least one heat exchanger portion configured to have at least some of the first portion of the first working fluid flow through the at least one heat exchanger portion after having flowed through the at least one thermoelectric assembly. The at least one heat exchanger portion is configured to recover heat from the at least some of the first portion of the first working fluid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermoelectric power generating system comprising:
 at least one thermoelectric assembly comprising:
 at least one first heat exchanger in thermal communication with at least a first portion of a first working fluid, the first portion of the first working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly; 
 a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with the at least one first heat exchanger; and 
 at least one second heat exchanger in thermal communication with the plurality of thermoelectric elements and with a second working fluid flowing through the at least one thermoelectric assembly, the second working fluid cooler than the first working fluid; and 
   at least one heat exchanger portion configured to have at least some of the first portion of the first working fluid flow through the at least one heat exchanger portion after having flowed through the at least one thermoelectric assembly, the at least one heat exchanger portion configured to recover heat from the at least some of the first portion of the first working fluid.