Thermoelectric power generation system and control method therefor

A thermoelectric power generation system comprising:

• a first flow path along which a first liquid is to flow;
• a second flow path along which a second liquid is to flow, a temperature of the second liquid being lower than a temperature of the first liquid;
• a thermoelectric module arranged between the first flow path and the second flow path;
• a primary controller programmed to switch between:
• (i) a power generation mode, in which the thermoelectric module is caused to generate electric power based on a difference between the temperature of the first liquid and the temperature of the second liquid;
• and (ii) a heating mode, in which a first surface of the thermoelectric module is heated using a Peltier effect caused by supplying electric power to the thermoelectric module;
• and
• a first flow rate controller,
• wherein:
• a distance between the first surface of the thermoelectric module and the first flow path is shorter than a distance between the first surface of the thermoelectric module and the second flow path;
• the first liquid is heated water containing inorganic salt;
• the first flow rate controller is programmed to control an inflow rate of the second liquid into the first flow path at a position upstream of the thermoelectric module;
• the second liquid has a lower inorganic salt concentration than the first liquid;
• and
• the primary controller is programmed to increase the inflow rate of the second liquid into the first flow path by controlling the first flow rate controller in the heating mode in comparison with the inflow rate of the second liquid into the first flow path in the power generation mode.