Title: Internet-based remote monitoring system of thermo-electric-generations with mobile communication technology

Authors: Wenjie Peng; Daizhong Su

Addresses: Advanced Design and Manufacturing Engineering Centre, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK ' Advanced Design and Manufacturing Engineering Centre, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4BU, UK

Abstract: A remote online condition monitoring system for thermo-electric-generations (TEGs) is reported in this paper, which is applied in sustainable buildings. The system monitors the electrical power and heat energy generated by TEGs and to regulate the temperature of cold side of thermoelectric (TE) units used in the TEGs. The system provides the following major functions: data acquisition, data processing, system control and remote communication. The data acquisition module is built up within this system based on sensor technology and data I/O communication to acquire the data of working conditions of TEGs. System control is implemented by sending the commands to the control unit of the water valve for adjusting the temperature of cold side of TE units. The system has been validated by carrying out a case study of remote monitoring the working conditions of TEGs.

Keywords: thermoelectric units; remote monitoring; system control; data acquisition; DAQ; mobile phones; cell phones; GPRS cellular networks; sustainable buildings; thermoelectric generation; TEG; internet; mobile communications; condition monitoring; electrical power; heat energy; temperature regulation; data processing; system control; remote communications; water valves.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2016.076419

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2016 Vol.53 No.2, pp.154 - 170

Received: 16 Apr 2015
Accepted: 18 Jul 2015
Published online: 06 May 2016 *

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