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Article

A Novel MPPT Control Method of Thermoelectric Power Generation with Single Sensor

1
Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4, Hibikino, Wakamatsu, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0196, Japan
2
Kushiro National College of Technology, 2-32-1, Otanoshike, Kushiro, Hokkaido 084-0916, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2013, 3(2), 545-558; https://doi.org/10.3390/app3020545
Submission received: 31 December 2012 / Revised: 7 March 2013 / Accepted: 10 April 2013 / Published: 29 April 2013
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy)

Abstract

:
This paper proposes a novel Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control method of thermoelectric power generation for the constant load. This paper reveals the characteristics and the internal resistance of thermoelectric power module (TM). Analyzing the thermoelectric power generation system with boost chopper by state space averaging method, the output voltage and current of TM are estimated by with only single current sensor. The proposed method can seek without calculating the output power of TM in this proposed method. The basic principle of the proposed MPPT control method is discussed, and then confirmed by digital computer simulation using PSIM. Simulation results demonstrate that the output voltage can track the maximum power point voltage by the proposed MPPT control method. The generated power of the TM is 0.36 W when the temperature difference is 35 °C. This is well accorded with the V-P characteristics.

1. Introduction

Currently attention is focusing on the energy harvesting technologies to electrify the small-rated electric devices by environmental energy such as waste heat energy and machine vibration. One of the power generation methods by waste heat energy is the thermoelectric power generation by Seebeck effect of thermoelectric power module (TM) [1]. The TM can generate the electric power at low-temperature difference. However the thermoelectric power generation has some problems, such as the energy conversion efficiency, thermal leakage, and internal resistance. It is necessary to improve the energy conversion efficiency from thermal energy to electric energy, to suppress the thermal leakage and to track the maximum power point voltage of TM.
We have proposed a method of suppressing the thermal leakage using heat pipes. The heat pipes were used for heat transfer from TM to heat sink avoiding thermal leakage. We confirmed to supply the electric power to the self-contained wireless telemetry by using the heat pipes and boost converter continuously. However, the boost converter controlled the output voltage of TM only. In [2,3], the impedance was mismatch between the TM and load impedance, so TM did not generate the maximum power. Thus, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control is necessary to maximize the power generation.
One of the MPPT control methods is the hill-climbing method, which is employed to seek the maximum power point by calculating the power with a voltage and current sensors [4]. This method needs two sensors to calculate and track the maximum power. We have proposed a method of the MPPT controller for TM by temperature detection [5]. The thermoelectric power generation system has been used for the power source of self-contained wireless telemetry. The reference output voltage of the TM is decided by the approximation formula of the V-P characteristics and the module temperature. This means the operation algorithm is simple, thus the one-chip microcomputer is enough to control the MPPT. The experimental results exhibit that the MPPT controller can track the maximum power point voltage. And then, the thermoelectric power generation system can work the self-contained wireless telemetry which is required a supplied voltage of at least 2.1V. On the other hand, the MPPT control method of photovoltaic power system is proposed [6]. This proposed method can achieve to track the maximum power point with only a single sensor. However, it is necessary that the generated power is calculated. These MPPT methods need a number of sensors and elaborate calculation.
This paper proposes a novel MPPT control method for thermoelectric power generation system of the constant load with only single current sensor. Estimating the output of the TM, the MPPT controller can track the maximum power point. Analyzing the thermoelectric power generation system with boost chopper by state space averaging method [7], the output of the TM estimates with only current sensor. The maximum power point voltage can be decided by both the estimated values and the internal resistance at the maximum power point. The proposed MPPT control method can achieve to track the maximum power point voltage without calculating the generated power of the TM. Digital computer simulation was implemented to demonstrate the validity and practicability of the proposed method using PSIM. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MPPT controller can track the maximum power point perfectly.

2. Characteristic of the Thermoelectric Power Module

In this paper, the six TMs (FPH1-12702AC), which consist of three series-connected TMs and two parallel-connected TMs is used. The cool side of the TM is set on a heat sink. The hot side of the TM is set on a tray with hot water. Figure 1 shows the V-I characteristics of the TM. We can see that the output power increases with rising temperature difference. Figure 2 shows the V-P characteristics of the TM. From Figure 2, we can see that the maximum power point voltage is changed by depending on the temperature difference.
Figure 1. V-I Characteristic of the thermoelectric module.
Figure 1. V-I Characteristic of the thermoelectric module.
Applsci 03 00545 g001
Figure 2. V-P Characteristic of the thermoelectric module.
Figure 2. V-P Characteristic of the thermoelectric module.
Applsci 03 00545 g002
We approximate the TMs for modeling on the PSIM. The output current IT of the TM is approximated from Figure 1 as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i003
From Equation (1), the power P of the TM is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i004
At the maximum power point of Figure 2,
Applsci 03 00545 i005
From Equation (3), the maximum power point voltage VMax is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i006
From Equation (4) and Equation (1), VMax is represented as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i007
From this equation, the internal resistance RM of the TM is 11.9 Ω at the maximum power point in this paper.

3. Proposed MPPT Control Method

Figure 3 shows the basic system configuration of the thermoelectric power generation system [3]. The thermoelectric power generation system uses a boost chopper because the load RO which assumes the wireless telemetry is required a supplied voltage at least 2.1V. The input and output side of the boost chopper is connected the smoothing capacitors.
Figure 3. System configuration of the thermoelectric power generation system using a boost chopper.
Figure 3. System configuration of the thermoelectric power generation system using a boost chopper.
Applsci 03 00545 g003

3.1. Analyzing the Thermoelectric Power Generation System

This section reveals that the output of the TM can estimate by using the linear analyzing result of the system. This paper uses the state space averaging method [7] for this analyzing. To reduce the power loss of the winding resistance of L, L is low inductance. On the other hand, RO is the high impedance. As a result, the boost chopper acts in discontinuous current mode (DCM). There are three modes in DCM. Figure 4 illustrates the relationship between switching condition and iL. D1 is the duty ratio during G-on period, D2 is the duty ratio during G-off and D-on period, D3 is the duty ratio during G-off and D-off period. Thus, we analyze the three modes. Figure 5 shows the equivalent circuits of Figure 3. The state equations of Figure 5 set up where the state variable x is (vTiLvO)T.
Figure 4. Relationship between the switching condition and iL.
Figure 4. Relationship between the switching condition and iL.
Applsci 03 00545 g004
Figure 5. Equivalent circuits of the thermoelectric power generation system. (a) MODE 1; (b) MODE 2; (c) MODE 3.
Figure 5. Equivalent circuits of the thermoelectric power generation system. (a) MODE 1; (b) MODE 2; (c) MODE 3.
Applsci 03 00545 g005
During the MODE 1, the switch G is ON, and iL increases from 0 to the peak value iLP. Figure 5a illustrates the equivalent circuit in MODE 1. rS is the ON-resistance of the MOSFET and rL is the winding resistance of L. From Figure 5a, the state equation of the MODE 1 is given as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i011
Applsci 03 00545 i012
Applsci 03 00545 i013
From these equations, the matrix is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i014
where A1 and b1 are given by
Applsci 03 00545 i015
The switching time is very short. So, the right side of Equations (6), (7) and (8) are assumed the constant value. As a result, we approximate these equations as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i016
Applsci 03 00545 i017
Applsci 03 00545 i018
During the MODE 2, the switch G is OFF, and the current flows into D. Figure 5b illustrates the equivalent circuit in MODE 2. rD is the conduction resistance of D. From Figure 5b, the state equation of the MODE 2 is given as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i057
Applsci 03 00545 i019
Applsci 03 00545 i020
From these equations, the matrix is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i021
where A2 and b2 are given by
Applsci 03 00545 i022
The right side of Equations (13), (14) and (15) are assumed the constant value. We approximate these equations as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i023
Applsci 03 00545 i024
Applsci 03 00545 i025
During the MODE 3, iL = 0. Figure 5c illustrates the equivalent circuit in MODE 3. From Figure 5c, the state equation of the MODE 3 is given as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i026
Applsci 03 00545 i027
Applsci 03 00545 i028
From these equations, the matrix is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i029
where A3 and b3 are given by
Applsci 03 00545 i030
The right side of Equations (20), (21) and (22) are assumed the constant value. We approximate these equations as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i031
Applsci 03 00545 i032
Applsci 03 00545 i033
Therefore, the difference equations in one switching cycle are given as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i034
Applsci 03 00545 i035
Applsci 03 00545 i036
From these difference equations, the differential equations are given as follows:
Applsci 03 00545 i037
Applsci 03 00545 i038
Applsci 03 00545 i039
The averaging state vector is assumed as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i040
The state averaging equation can be derived as
Applsci 03 00545 i041
Applsci 03 00545 i042
Applsci 03 00545 i043
where D12 = D1 + D2. Equation (31) corresponds with Equations (27), (28) and (29). Therefore, the average value is derived from the parameters multiplied by the duty factors. The following equation can be written in the steady state
Applsci 03 00545 i044
Therefore VT, IL and VO in the steady state can be derived as
Applsci 03 00545 i045
The average value IL of iL is given as follows
Applsci 03 00545 i046
where ILP is the peak value of iL [6]. The internal voltage VM of the TM in the steady state is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i047
The output voltage VT of the TM can be derived as
Applsci 03 00545 i048
The output current IT of the TM can be expressed as
Applsci 03 00545 i049
Therefore VM, VT and IT can be estimated by detecting the inductor current iL and the duty ratio.

3.2. Proposed MPPT Control Method

Figure 6 shows the circuit diagram using the proposed MPPT control method. The peak value iLP yields by using the peak hold circuit of iL. VT and IT can be estimated by Equations (36) and (37). The impedance matching condition is to match vT to the voltage of RM. The reference value of the boost chopper is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i050
The PI controller uses to track the reference and reduce the error, which is obtained by subtracting VT from Vref close to zero. The duty ratio D1 of the MODE 1 is calculated by the output value vC of the PI controller. The duty ratio D2 of the MODE 2 is calculated by the discontinuous period of iL and D1.
Figure 6. A circuit diagram with the proposed MPPT control method.
Figure 6. A circuit diagram with the proposed MPPT control method.
Applsci 03 00545 g006
Thus the MPPT control method in this paper can be estimated the output of the TM with only current sensor by analyzing the boost chopper using state space averaging method. The internal resistance of the TM is constant at the maximum power point whether the temperature difference or not. Hence, the voltage of the maximum power point can be decided without calculation of the power.

4. Simulation Results

Digital computer simulation using PSIM software is implemented to confirm the validity and practicability of the proposed MPPT control method. The TM is demonstrated current source in PSIM software, where the output of the current source is decided by Equation (1).
Table 1 indicates the circuit constants of Figure 6. The carrier frequency is 7.81 kHz. The low-pass filter of the input side of the boost chopper consists of the input capacitor CI and the internal resistance RM. The cut-off frequency fc is given by
Applsci 03 00545 i052
In this paper, the cut-off frequency fc is about 160 Hz. This simulation allows for the winding resistance of L, the ON resistance of D and the switch G in the experimental setup [3]. The proportional gain K is 0.1 and the integral time TI is 0.01s in the PI controller.
Table 1. Circuit parameters of the thermoelectric power generation system.
Table 1. Circuit parameters of the thermoelectric power generation system.
ParameterSymbolValue
Input capacitorCI100 μF
InductorL150 μH
Output capacitorCO1000 μF
Load resistorR1 kΩ
Winding resistor of the inductor LrL0.26 Ω
Conduction resistance of the diode DrD0.1 Ω
ON-resistance of the MOSFETrS8.5 mΩ
Figure 7. Simulation results by using the proposed MPPT control when the thermal difference is 35 °C. (a) During the starting period; (b) Magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s.
Figure 7. Simulation results by using the proposed MPPT control when the thermal difference is 35 °C. (a) During the starting period; (b) Magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s.
Applsci 03 00545 g007
Figure 7 shows the simulation results of the proposed MPPT control method at ΔT = 35 °C. Figure 7a is the simulation waveforms during the starting period. Figure 7b is the magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s in Figure 7a. vT is the output voltage of the TM, iT is the output current of the TM, p is the output power of the TM, vO is the load voltage, iL is the inductor current and iLP is the value of the peak holder. The peak holder tracks the peak value of iL. vT is 2.0V in the steady state. This result agrees well with the Equation (4).
This paper implements the simulation by using the conventional hill-climb method. Figure 8 shows the simulated results of the hill-climb method at ΔT = 35 °C. Figure 8a is the simulation waveforms during the starting period. Figure 8b is the magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s in Figure 8a. From these simulation, vT is 1.9V in the steady state. This result agrees well with the Equation (4). And then, the performance of the proposed MPPT control method corresponds with the conventional hill-climb method.
Figure 8. Simulated results by using the conventional hill-climb method when the thermal difference is 35 °C. (a) During the starting period; (b) Magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s.
Figure 8. Simulated results by using the conventional hill-climb method when the thermal difference is 35 °C. (a) During the starting period; (b) Magnified waveforms in the vicinity of 3.0 s.
Applsci 03 00545 g008
Figure 9 shows the simulation results in the case of the thermal difference fluctuation. ΔT is the temperature difference waveform. We assume that ΔT is the ramp reference. Although the thermal difference changes 7 °C/s, vT is tracked the maximum power point voltage by the proposed MPPT controller. The thermoelectric power generation system with the proposed MPPT controller can harvest the maximum power regardless of the temperature variation perfectly.
Figure 10 shows the simulation results of VT and p relative to approximation formulas. From Figure 9a, it can be seen that the average value of vT agrees well with Equation (4). And then, it can be seen that the average value of p agrees very well with Equation (2). From these results, the proposed MPPT controller can harvest the maximum power of the TM.
Figure 9. Simulation results in the case of the thermal difference fluctuation. (a) From 0 to 35 °C; (b) From 35°C to 0.
Figure 9. Simulation results in the case of the thermal difference fluctuation. (a) From 0 to 35 °C; (b) From 35°C to 0.
Applsci 03 00545 g009
Figure 10. Simulation results of VT and p relative to approximation formulas. (a) ΔT-VT; (b) ΔT-p.
Figure 10. Simulation results of VT and p relative to approximation formulas. (a) ΔT-VT; (b) ΔT-p.
Applsci 03 00545 g010

5. Conclusions

This paper proposed a novel MPPT control method for thermoelectric power generation using the state space averaging method. Estimating the output of the TM with only a current sensor, the MPPT controller can track the maximum power point. In the proposed method, the maximum power point voltage can be decided by the estimated values and the internal resistance at the maximum power point.
This paper revealed the electric characteristics and internal resistance of the TM. Analyzing the thermoelectric power generation system with boost chopper by state space averaging method, the output voltage and current of TM were estimated with only single current sensor. The maximum power point voltage can track without calculating the output power of the TM. Digital computer simulation was implemented to demonstrate the validity and practicability of the proposed method using PSIM. From the simulation results, the output power was about 0.36 W with the proposed MPPT control method when the temperature difference was 35 °C. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MPPT controller can track the maximum power point regardless of the temperature variation perfectly.

References

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MDPI and ACS Style

Yamada, H.; Kimura, K.; Hanamoto, T.; Ishiyama, T.; Sakaguchi, T.; Takahashi, T. A Novel MPPT Control Method of Thermoelectric Power Generation with Single Sensor. Appl. Sci. 2013, 3, 545-558. https://doi.org/10.3390/app3020545

AMA Style

Yamada H, Kimura K, Hanamoto T, Ishiyama T, Sakaguchi T, Takahashi T. A Novel MPPT Control Method of Thermoelectric Power Generation with Single Sensor. Applied Sciences. 2013; 3(2):545-558. https://doi.org/10.3390/app3020545

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yamada, Hiroaki, Koji Kimura, Tsuyoshi Hanamoto, Toshihiko Ishiyama, Tadashi Sakaguchi, and Tsuyoshi Takahashi. 2013. "A Novel MPPT Control Method of Thermoelectric Power Generation with Single Sensor" Applied Sciences 3, no. 2: 545-558. https://doi.org/10.3390/app3020545

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