| abstract |
A micro cogeneration system 100 comprises a cold water inlet (76, Fig. 7) and hot water outlet (78, Fig. 7) connected by a conduit. A combustion chamber (22, Fig. 4) surrounds a burner (28. Fig. 4) supplied by a fuel supply line and heats water in the conduit. Gas from the combustion chamber is received by a flue passageway (62, Fig. 6). A thermoelectric generator module (34, Fig. 4) has a hot side with a hot contact surface receiving heat from the combustion chamber and a cold side with a cold contact surface transferring heat to a first section of the conduit. A heat exchanger (64, Fig. 6) transfers heat from the flue passageway to a second, downstream section of the conduit. The thermoelectric generator modules may comprise a heat sink (36, Fig. 4) for transferring heat to the first section of the conduit. The thermoelectric generator modules may be attached to a frame (32, Fig. 4). A micro cogeneration system comprising a heat sink, and methods of replacing a condensing and a non-condensing boiler with a micro cogeneration system are also claimed. |