Novel Approach to Harvest Thermal Energy from Asphalt Pavement Roadways Jacob Holguin Undergraduate Research Assistant Department of CIVIL ENGINEERING Mentored by Samer Dessouky, PhD, PE Associate Professor December 2, 2016

Introduction There is an abundance of heat existing from asphalt pavement Opportunity to utilize sustainable energy Roadway infrastructure an abundant resource Roadway pavement temperature can reach up to 60-70°C Utilize pavement heat

Objective Harvest energy from roadway infrastructure Convert thermal energy into electrical energy Use harvested energy for practical applications Reduce contribution to the heat urban island

Governing Principal and Mechanism Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) Modules Seebeck Effect Temperature gradient (difference in temp.) Two dissimilar electrical conductors Production of voltage Thermal electromotive force

Data Pavement Surface Temperature profile

Data Transformable Thermal Energy from Pavement Average pavement surface temperature ranges from 45 to 55 C eight hours per day (except Mid November to Mid February-3 months) Average soil temperature ranges from 25 C to 30 C below 6” adjacent to road side soil. Available average thermal gradient ∆T= 20 C to 25 C 20 C to 25 C is the potential source to produce electrical energy

Methodology Thermal Energy Harvester Prototype L-Shaped copper panel TEG Epoxy Glue Thermal Paste Insulation Heat Sink

Methodology Lab simulation Materials Lab Functionality Performance Finite Element Simulation Lab simulation Materials Lab Functionality Performance Near-pavement Conditions

Methodology Implemented on roadside West Campus 1-2” Removal of pavement surface 10” in the road-side soil

Methodology Implemented on roadside West Campus 1-2” Removal of pavement surface 10” in the road-side soil

Results Lab Simulations Relationship between temperature gradient and produced voltage Results Lab Simulations V= 826 mV I= 27.23 mA

Results Field Analysis V= 649 mV I= 22.03 mA

Benefits Reduces heat urban island Abundant resource Intake of thermal energy Output of electrical energy Abundant resource Low voltages are able to be boosted

Future Work Optimize system performance Electrical storage components Increase temperature gradient Conserve heat flux Clamping System Electrical storage components Further investigation Utilize drone applications Thermal imaging Detect optimal AOI

Conclusions The developed prototype has proven the potential for harvesting an converting thermal energy from roadway Exploring ways to improve the configuration and efficiency of the prototype will allow for practical applications involving roadways

Questions?