Michael Petralia | The Cooper Union (original) (raw)

Papers by Michael Petralia

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature d... more A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature differential between the thermoelectric module (TEM) surfaces of 70.00°C. This can cold-start a GSM locator and broadcast coordinates using an SMS message. Ultra-low power off-the-shelf electronics are combined to produce a reliable cellular signal and generate the coordinates, eliminating the need for dedicated GPS modules and reducing the total power consumption. A supercapacitor-based charging system was designed to store charge from the TEMs and discharge a constant 5.2 V to power the electronics. The system requires approximately 60 seconds from a cold start to send geographic coordinates. Designs for several cold blocks, used to generate the temperature differential for the TEMs, were investigated, including designs utilizing phase-change material (PCM) and water.

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

The authors have been developing and testing an enhanced system of heated ground agriculture that... more The authors have been developing and testing an enhanced system of heated ground agriculture that uses buried plastic pipes to cool waste hot water and steam from municipal, CHP, and geothermal sources. The average heat dissipation rate is 3.3 kW of heat per square meter in test beds under 50 square meters. Plant data indicates increased yields of up to 20% and the successful small harvest of cultivars in outdoor settings that are only native to warmer climates. A heated green roof in New York City produced a small cotton harvest and January pansies. In 2018 a small harvest of non-indigenous oregano and turnips was commercially test marketed in Iceland. Test results indicate that a larger scale study to determine economic viability is warranted.

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

The author’s patented thermoelectric generator system uses a steam pipe as a heat source and ambi... more The author’s patented thermoelectric generator system uses a steam pipe as a heat source and ambient cooling in an exterior location at the Agricultural University of Iceland. This produces up to 7.2 watts (W) steady state using 6 thermoelectric modules. The system has been powering a 3G webcam system since 2017 while it’s surplus power trickle charges 12 volt (V) batteries. New low power monitoring options originally developed for photovoltaic systems can be easily retrofitted for improved efficiency, additional and control options. The test results confirm the viability of a thermoelectric generator as power sources for security systems.

Proceedings, 2018

Geothermal bore holes and steam pipes are often in remote locations where normal powering methods... more Geothermal bore holes and steam pipes are often in remote locations where normal powering methods for monitoring systems are difficult due to distance from the electrical grid. Solar power options are limited during the winter months, and colder temperatures are detrimental to stand-alone batteries. The authors have successfully field tested their patented thermoelectric generator in Hveragerdi at the Agricultural University of Iceland. It was retrofitted directly to the surface of a geothermal steam pipe in less than 30 minutes. The generator can produce more than 5 watts (W) in steady state in an environment which has a delta T of 130 °C between the ambient air temperature and the surface of the steam pipe. Cellular video surveillance systems, rudimentary control systems, and small robotic systems have been powered while trickle charging 12 volt (V) 9 ampere-hour (Ah) lead acid batteries. Recent applications use a standard commercially available 3G mobile broadband connection with a low power modem for a web cam. The charged batteries can be used for peak power applications. Reliability studies are in progress and additional options will be investigated.

Thermoelectrics for Power Generation [Working Title], 2019

This chapter presents an analysis of a point-of-use thermoelectric generator that is patented by ... more This chapter presents an analysis of a point-of-use thermoelectric generator that is patented by one of the authors. The design, implementation and performance of the generator for powering electronic monitoring devices and charging batteries is discussed. This passive generator has no moving parts and relies on ambient air cooling. In one iteration it produces 6.9 W of steady state power using six Laird thermoelectric modules (Laird PB23 Series, HT8, 12) when placed on a 160°C steam pipe with a 30°C ambient environment (ΔT of 130°C). The generator produced 31.2 volts (V) open circuit and 0.89 amperes (A) short circuit. It successfully powered two microcontroller-based security cameras, one with a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and another with cellular connectivity. In another scenario, the generator produced approximately 6 W with a steam pipe temperature of 140°C and an ambient of 25°C (ΔT of 115°C). This second system powered LED lights, a cellularinterfaced video surveillance system, and monitoring robots, while simultaneously trickle charging batteries. A third installation totally powered a stand-alone 3G web security camera system.

Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on Embedded networked sensor systems - SenSys '05, 2005

2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, 2010

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature d... more A small-scale thermoelectric generator (TEG) system produces a power of 1.43 W at a temperature differential between the thermoelectric module (TEM) surfaces of 70.00°C. This can cold-start a GSM locator and broadcast coordinates using an SMS message. Ultra-low power off-the-shelf electronics are combined to produce a reliable cellular signal and generate the coordinates, eliminating the need for dedicated GPS modules and reducing the total power consumption. A supercapacitor-based charging system was designed to store charge from the TEMs and discharge a constant 5.2 V to power the electronics. The system requires approximately 60 seconds from a cold start to send geographic coordinates. Designs for several cold blocks, used to generate the temperature differential for the TEMs, were investigated, including designs utilizing phase-change material (PCM) and water.

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

The authors have been developing and testing an enhanced system of heated ground agriculture that... more The authors have been developing and testing an enhanced system of heated ground agriculture that uses buried plastic pipes to cool waste hot water and steam from municipal, CHP, and geothermal sources. The average heat dissipation rate is 3.3 kW of heat per square meter in test beds under 50 square meters. Plant data indicates increased yields of up to 20% and the successful small harvest of cultivars in outdoor settings that are only native to warmer climates. A heated green roof in New York City produced a small cotton harvest and January pansies. In 2018 a small harvest of non-indigenous oregano and turnips was commercially test marketed in Iceland. Test results indicate that a larger scale study to determine economic viability is warranted.

Volume 6: Energy, 2019

The author’s patented thermoelectric generator system uses a steam pipe as a heat source and ambi... more The author’s patented thermoelectric generator system uses a steam pipe as a heat source and ambient cooling in an exterior location at the Agricultural University of Iceland. This produces up to 7.2 watts (W) steady state using 6 thermoelectric modules. The system has been powering a 3G webcam system since 2017 while it’s surplus power trickle charges 12 volt (V) batteries. New low power monitoring options originally developed for photovoltaic systems can be easily retrofitted for improved efficiency, additional and control options. The test results confirm the viability of a thermoelectric generator as power sources for security systems.

Proceedings, 2018

Geothermal bore holes and steam pipes are often in remote locations where normal powering methods... more Geothermal bore holes and steam pipes are often in remote locations where normal powering methods for monitoring systems are difficult due to distance from the electrical grid. Solar power options are limited during the winter months, and colder temperatures are detrimental to stand-alone batteries. The authors have successfully field tested their patented thermoelectric generator in Hveragerdi at the Agricultural University of Iceland. It was retrofitted directly to the surface of a geothermal steam pipe in less than 30 minutes. The generator can produce more than 5 watts (W) in steady state in an environment which has a delta T of 130 °C between the ambient air temperature and the surface of the steam pipe. Cellular video surveillance systems, rudimentary control systems, and small robotic systems have been powered while trickle charging 12 volt (V) 9 ampere-hour (Ah) lead acid batteries. Recent applications use a standard commercially available 3G mobile broadband connection with a low power modem for a web cam. The charged batteries can be used for peak power applications. Reliability studies are in progress and additional options will be investigated.

Thermoelectrics for Power Generation [Working Title], 2019

This chapter presents an analysis of a point-of-use thermoelectric generator that is patented by ... more This chapter presents an analysis of a point-of-use thermoelectric generator that is patented by one of the authors. The design, implementation and performance of the generator for powering electronic monitoring devices and charging batteries is discussed. This passive generator has no moving parts and relies on ambient air cooling. In one iteration it produces 6.9 W of steady state power using six Laird thermoelectric modules (Laird PB23 Series, HT8, 12) when placed on a 160°C steam pipe with a 30°C ambient environment (ΔT of 130°C). The generator produced 31.2 volts (V) open circuit and 0.89 amperes (A) short circuit. It successfully powered two microcontroller-based security cameras, one with a wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and another with cellular connectivity. In another scenario, the generator produced approximately 6 W with a steam pipe temperature of 140°C and an ambient of 25°C (ΔT of 115°C). This second system powered LED lights, a cellularinterfaced video surveillance system, and monitoring robots, while simultaneously trickle charging batteries. A third installation totally powered a stand-alone 3G web security camera system.

Proceedings of the 3rd international conference on Embedded networked sensor systems - SenSys '05, 2005

2010 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, 2010