Review on Waste Oil Powered Thermal Electric Energy Generation System

Abstract: The global demand for clean, affordable, and sustainable energy has driven researchers toward innovative methods of harvesting energy from unconventional and waste sources. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the design and implementation of a Waste Oil Powered Thermoelectric Energy Generation System, which integrates a Peltier module (thermoelectric generator), a waste oil burner as the heat source, an aluminium cooling block as the cold-side heat sink, and a complete operational circuit comprising a 6V battery, LED lights, a 9V water pump, and a supporting tank frame structure.
Waste cooking and lubricating oils, being abundant by-products of industrial and domestic activity, represent a significant untapped energy reservoir. When combusted, these oils generate substantial thermal gradients which can be directly converted into electrical energy via the Seebeck effect, as exploited in Peltier/thermoelectric modules. The proposed system offers a compelling low-cost, decentralised energy solution particularly suited for rural electrification, off-grid communities, and emergency power applications.
This review synthesises current research across thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance optimisation, waste oil combustion characteristics, heat exchanger and cooling system design, and practical low-voltage application integration. Key findings indicate that system efficiency is strongly governed by the quality of the thermal gradient maintained across the Peltier module, the effectiveness of the cooling block design, and the calorific properties of the waste oil fuel. The paper concludes with identified research gaps, future directions, and a consolidated understanding of how this integrated system can contribute to sustainable and decentralised energy solutions.

Keywords: Waste Oil, Seebeck Effect, Thermoelectric Generator, Peltier Module