Thermoelectric conversion unit and method of using same

A method of using a thermoelectric conversion unit, the thermoelectric conversion unit including:

• a pair of first fluid flow passage parts that face each other and through which a first fluid flows;
• a second fluid flow passage part that is disposed between the pair of first fluid flow passage parts and through which a second fluid having a higher temperature than the first fluid flows;
• a pair of thermoelectric modules each of which is disposed between a corresponding one of the first fluid flow passage parts that constitute the pair of first fluid flow passage parts and the second fluid flow passage part and generates electromotive force on a basis of a temperature difference between the first fluid and the second fluid;
• and
• a pair of magnetic body parts that are disposed inside of or on a surface of the pair of first fluid flow passage parts, respectively,
• each of the magnetic body parts having a magnetic body, and
• the magnetic bodies of the pair of magnetic body parts being disposed so that different magnetic poles face each other, and generate magnetic force that pulls the magnetic bodies toward each other,
• the method comprising:
• transferring heat of the second fluid to each of the thermoelectric modules;
• and
• generating the electromotive force on a basis of the temperature difference by giving the temperature difference to each of the thermoelectric modules.

A thermoelectric conversion unit comprising:

• a first flow passage through which a first fluid flows;
• a second flow passage that faces the first flow passage and through which a second fluid flows;
• a third flow passage that is provided between the first flow passage and the second flow passage and through which a third fluid flows, a third temperature of the third fluid being higher than a first temperature of the first fluid and the third temperature being higher than a second temperature of the second fluid;
• a first thermoelectric module that is provided between the first flow passage and the third flow passage and generates an electromotive voltage on a basis of a temperature difference between the first temperature and the third temperature;
• a second thermoelectric module that is provided between the second flow passage and the third flow passage and generates an electromotive voltage on a basis of a temperature difference between the second temperature and the third temperature;
• and
• a first magnetic body and a second magnetic body that are provided between the first flow passage and the second flow passage,
• wherein
• the first flow passage and the first magnetic body are connected by using a first member,
• the second flow passage and the second magnetic body are connected by using a second member,
• a first portion of the first magnetic body faces a second portion of the second magnetic body,
• a magnetic pole of the first portion is different from a magnetic pole of the second portion,
• the third flow passage does not include the first magnetic body, and
• the third flow passage does not include the second magnetic body.