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Purpose This paper aims to present an experimental investigation and optimization of a low-temperature thermoelectric module to examine the influence of the main operating conditions. Design/methodology/approach In this work, a comparison was made by varying the various operating parameters such as heat source temperature, the flow rate of the cold fluid and the external load resistance. A Taguchi method was applied to optimize the parameters of the system. Three factors, including the external load resistance, mass flow rate of water (at the heat sink side) and heater temperature (at the heat source side) along with different levels were taken into account. Analysis of variance was used to determine the significance and percentage contribution of each parameter. Findings The experimental results show that the maximum power output 8.22W and the maximum conversion efficiency 1.11 per cent were obtained at the heater temperature of 240°C, the cold fluid mass flow rate of 0.017 kg/s, module temperature difference of 45°C and the load resistance of 5 O. It was observed that the optimum parameter levels for maximum power output determined as 5 O external load resistance, 0.17 kg/s mass flow rate of water and 240°C heater temperature (A1B3C3). It reflects that these parameters influence on the optimum conditions. The heater temperature is the most significant parameter on the power output of the thermoelectric module. Originality/value It is clear from the confirmation test that experimental values and the predicted values are in good agreement.

A thermoelectric generator was used to recover waste heat from a heat source, such as engine exhaust. The key elements of the thermoelectric generator are heat exchanger and thermoelectric module. Thermoelectric modules convert heat energy to electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. A temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric module is required to generate electric power. A theoretical model was developed to predict thermoelectric current, voltage, and power output. A bismuth Telluride thermoelectric module was used for analysis. It was observed that the thermoelectric voltage increased with the external load resistance, and the thermoelectric power output increased at a certain load resistance and then decreased. Under the match load condition, the maximum thermoelectric power output was obtained.

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The best operating condition of the exhaust thermoelectric generator (ETEG) provides more power output and low‐pressure drop (low‐PD). So it is required to optimize the operating condition of the ETEG. In the present work, Taguchi's L18(61 33) orthogonal array was chosen to find the optimal parameters. Analysis of variance was used to determine the percent contribution of the control factors such as engine loads (ELs), different types of heat exchangers (HEs) with and without inserts, water flow rate (WFR), and external load resistance (ELR) on the thermoelectric power output and PD in the HE. The confirmation test was carried out at optimum levels for the regression equations and Taguchi method. Gray relational analysis was performed to find the optimum value of the power output and PD. It is observed that the optimal operating condition is EL6 HE1 WFR3 ELR2 (EL6 = 10 kg, HE1 = G‐type test section, WFR3 = 0.08 kg/s, and ELR2 = 40 Ω).

Fiber Reinforced Polymer composites materials are replacing traditional composite materials practical applications for some years due to characteristics such as high durability, resistance to corrosion, flexural strength, in addition to outstanding mechanical properties specific towards the substance. Thus, the objective of current work is to investigate the manufacturing of multi natural fibre reinforced polymer composites, as well as study their mechanical characteristics, and set side by side them to those produced with a single natural fibre reinforced composite. Fiber-reinforced polymer composite's density and hardness were determined to be within acceptable levels by conducting flexural and tensile strength tests on the composites. The ASTM standards samples method were utilised to produce the specimens of composite with varying fibre weight percentages using the hand-lay-up technique. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) composite material has a maximum tensile strength of 240 MPa and can sustain that strength. The maximal impact strength of the CFRP composite is 69.21 KJ/m2. The performance of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer composites is found promising.