JTEC
Johnson Thermoelectric Energy Conversion System
The JTEC is a revolutionary approach to electrical power generation. It is not a fuel cell; however, it uses fuel cell technology.
It provides electrical energy generation efficiency levels that are not available from any other technology. By using existing sources of energy including ambient energy available in the environment, heat from the human body,
waste heat from industrial processes, solar and even heat from other power generation systems, JTEC systems offer environmentally friendly and potentially low cost sources of electrical power to address a wide range of needs
and applications. Application for the technology range from micro-power systems to power advanced micro-electronics and Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) to power generation for portable electronics to large scale
utility power generation systems. By using the JTEC as a bottoming cycle that operates on waste heat from existing systems, extremely high combined power generation efficiencies can be achieved. The technology is
applicable to portable as well as large scale fixed power generation plants. It is applicable too land vehicles, air vehicles and spacecraft. more ...
Johnson ElectroMechanical Systems, Inc., in cooperation with the Georgia Institute of Technology and Tuskegee University, is developing a revolutionary approach to power generation. The Johnson Ambient Energy System (JAES)
system is not a fuel cell; however, it uses fuel cell technology. It provides thermal to electrical energy conversion efficiency levels that are not available from any other technology. By using existing sources of natural
energy including thermal, barometric pressure, humidity, and solar, the JAES system configuration offers an environmentally friendly and potentially low cost supply of electrical energy for low power applications. The truly
remote and unattended operation of electronic devices so ubiquitous to our modern way of living poses a real problem. In many cases the ability to operate such a device reliably would be of great value, as would be the case
for a remote weather monitoring system, water level sensors in remote areas, wildlife research in their natural habitat, to name but a few. Alternatively, the ability to operate an emergency beacon reliably and for an extended
period of time could be of great value to rescue operations. In order to operate successfully in cold, dark, unfriendly environments a power generation device is must take full advantage of the energy available in many different
forms, even at very low levels. In addition to the remote operation of devices there exist many applications where the ability to scavenge power from the environment will be of value. Some systems will scavenge adequate power for
continuous operation while other systems will scavenge power to allow devices to operate in "sleep" or "stand-by" mode for extended periods of time until a critical signal activates the device to momentarily draw higher power. The
JAES system addresses all of these needs in a solid-state, energy efficient device. more ...
The Johnson Electric Heat Pipe (JEHP) combines the thermal conversion capability of a heat engine and the heat transport capabilities of a heat pipe into a
single versatile device. The device employs a binary working fluid, which is comprised of hydrogen in combination with a two-phase fluid. The JEHP utilizes
a proton conductive membrane (PCM) configured between two electrodes to form a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). In the heat pump mode, the MEA is used to
pump hydrogen in such a way as to create a partial pressure differential within the vapors of the binary working fluid. The hydrogen partial pressure
differential drives the secondary working fluid to condense at the high temperature end of the heat pipe and evaporate at the low temperature end.
Latent heat consumed at the low temperature end is transported and released at the high temperature for a heat pump effect. In the power generation
configuration, liquid vaporized at the high temperature end consumes latent heat and creates a low hydrogen partial pressure. The vapor is condensed
at the low temperature end creating a high hydrogen partial pressure and releasing the latent heat. The resulting partial pressure differential is
applied across the MEA to generate electrical power. The electric heat pipe can be configured in length and shape, including bends, as needed to meet
the requirements of a given application. Several, proof of concept, component level experiments have been conducted to establish its feasibility.
Extensive investigations into suitable proton conductive materials have been performed.
more ...
