Evaporative Systems, Inc.
Custom Wastewater Disposal Equipment & Solutions

Applications
Natural Gas Dehydration Systems
Steam Lines
Hot Oil Lines
Can Be Installed In Any Type Of  Heating And Cooling Circulation Lines

This unique thermoelectric generator utilizes waste heat generated in the tri-ethelyne glycol fluid loop of a Natural Gas Dehydrator to supply DC electrical current.

The generator uses the hot (dry) and cold (wet) glycol streams as a source of energy. The generator consists of a single high temperature heat exchanger of rectangular cross-section, eight HZ-14 thermoelectric modules, two cold side heat exchangers, and a spring-loaded clamping system to hold the cold side heat exchangers and thermoelectric modules in good thermal contact against the central hot heat exchanger.

Hot (dry) tri-ethylene glycol from the dehydrator boiler enters the hot heat exchanger through a straight section of pipe. It then flows by gravity through evenly spaced parallel rectangular passages in the center, giving up its heat to the thermoelectric modules. At the outlet end cooler glycol drains into the holding tank below the boiler where it is then cooled and circulated to the dehydrator tower.

Cold (wet) glycol/water solution from the dehydrator tower is pumped into one cold side heat exchanger by a double-acting circulation pump normally associated with the dehydrator system. The glycol flows through one cold heat exchanger and is then returned via flexible hose to flow through the second cold heat exchanger whereby heat is absorbed from the thermoelectric modules. From there, the glycol passes to a still column tower located above the boiler where it is heated and the water is vaporized before the dry glycol returns to the boiler.

The difference in temperature across the thermoelectric modules generates DC electricity. While the eight HZ-14 modules are capable of producing in excess of 100 watts under their rated conditions, they only produce up to 60 watts in this application because of the lower temperatures and low flow rate associated with the dehydrator glycol system. However, this low temperature system provides the potential for a long operating life with little degradation of the thermoelectric modules

The glycol generator can be easily installed in the field or during the original equipment manufacture.