Showa Denko and Plantec Enter Full-Scale Experiment of Thermoelectric Module

Showa Denko announced on Wednesday the firm started full-scale demonstration experiments of thermoelectric conversion modules in cooperation with Osaka based plant engineering company, Plantec. Showa Denko succeeded in development of thermoelectric elements and modules those which represent high conversion efficiency in medium temperature range of 300-600 degrees Celsius. Plantec plans to introduce these modules in existent waste incinerators or sell new waste incinerators installing the modules.

Main materials of Showa Denko’s thermoelectric elements are lanthanum, cerium, iron, cobalt and antimony. The firm adopted its powdering and quick-cooling technologies to produce sintered magnetic alloys. By these productive technologies, the firm could efficiently form filled skutterudites (a structure having the property as a semiconductor) which represent high performances.

In laboratory tests, Showa Denko achieved conversion efficiency at 6.2% under temperatures of 50-600 degrees Celsius. Showa Denko and Plantec started demonstration experiments in August 2009 and succeeded in the continuous operation for about 4 months. They plan to launch a new experiment on February 15th by using a new-type module with higher durability.

It is estimated that 70% of total energy provided in Japan is wasted and emitted into the atmosphere.