PURPOSE: To enhance the efficiency of a thermoelectric power generation operation by a method wherein a plurality of thermoelectric conversion members are installed to surround a combustion chamber for a boiler, water is supplied to the boiler, the low temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion members is formed and superpower which is generated in the thermoelectric conversion members due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side is taken out from electrodes.

CONSTITUTION: A plurality of thermocouples 12 which are composed preferably of a semiconductor material are arranged and installed to surround a combustion chamber for a boiler 10 which is formed to be nearly cylindrical. The semiconductor material for the thermocouples 12 preferably forms a wall which is faced with a combustion gas so that the combustion gas for the boiler 10 forms a high temperature heat source. Then, water pipes 17 which supply water 15 to the boiler 10 from the outside are installed at the outside in the radial direction of the thermocouples 12, and steam 16 is generated by the boiler 10. The water 15 in the water pipes 17 or the steam 16 forms a cooling source for the thermocouples 12. Every thermocouple is constituted in a π shape composed of semiconductor thermoelectric conversion elements 21, 22 one end of which is bonded to a conductive material 20 and in which respective electrodes 23 are attached to, and installed at, the other end.