A model to analyze the device level performance of thermoelectric generator. (15th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Yongjia; Zuo, Lei; Chen, Jie; Klein, Jackson A.
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 115(2016)Part 1
• Page Start: 591
• Page End: 603
• Publication Date: 2016-11-15
• Subjects: Thermoelectric generator -- Power generation -- Thompson effect -- Contact resistance -- Heat leakage; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.09.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a distinctive solid-state heat engine with great potential in various scale energy harvesting. Device-level heat transfer coupled with energy conversion makes the accurate analysis of the system very complicate. In this paper, the thermodynamic analysis in a TEG module is carried out to study the influence of the contact layer resistance, Thompson Effect, Joule heat, and thermo-pellet gap heat leakage on the performance of the TEG. All expressions of power output, current, matching load resistant factor, and efficiency of the device are derived and compared with a commercial module. The equations for the simplified model are also given concisely in order to give a full picture of TEG modeling. The research can evaluate the combined influence of all the factors and redress some derivations in the existing models. Highlights: An accurate model to analyze the performance of the thermo-pellets was developed. The device level analysis of the thermoelectric generator system was carried out. Possible ways to improve the performance of the device were proposed.