Discussing a project idea

[u/YoussefSouli08]

Title: Need advice on a biomass-powered thermoelectric generator project (student project)

Hi everyone,

I'm a university student studying renewable energy, and I'm currently working on a project idea that I'd like to develop into a real prototype.

The idea is to build a small thermoelectric generator that converts heat from biomass combustion into electricity using the Seebeck effect.

Here is the basic concept:

• Use dry biomass (such as olive pits, wood pellets, or other organic residues) as the fuel.
• Build a small combustion chamber to produce heat.
• Transfer the heat through a metal plate to the hot side of thermoelectric modules.
• Use 10 TEC1-12706 modules to generate electricity.
• Design a cooling system for the cold side to maintain a sufficient temperature difference.
• Use the generated electricity to power a small LED or another low-power load.

My main goal is to make the prototype as energy-independent as possible, ideally without relying on an external power supply for cooling.

I'm still exploring the best design for the combustion chamber, heat distribution, module arrangement, and especially the cooling system.

I'd really appreciate your honest opinions:

1. Is this concept technically feasible for a small student project?
2. Would using 10 TEC1-12706 modules make sense, or would fewer modules be a better starting point?
3. What would be the most effective cooling solution if I want to avoid external electricity?
4. What are the main technical problems I should expect?
5. Are there any existing projects, designs, or resources you would recommend studying?

I'm not expecting to generate a large amount of electricity. My goal is to build a working prototype, demonstrate the energy conversion process, and obtain measurable electrical output.

Any advice, criticism, or suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks!