Analytical and numerical investigation on a new compact thermoelectric generator. (15th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ming, Tingzhen; Yang, Wei; Huang, Xiaoming; Wu, Yongjia; Li, Xiaohua; Liu, Jun
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 132(2017)
• Page Start: 261
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2017-01-15
• Subjects: Thermoelectric power generator (TEG) -- Specific voltage -- Specific power -- Specific efficiency; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.11.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Highlights: The mathematical model of maximum efficiency of TEG is deduced. A new design method of compact TEG is presented. The dimensional optimization of TEG is presented. Comparison on the overall performance of three different TEGs is presented. Abstract: In order to improve the performance and maximize the efficiency of energy conversion of thermoelectric generator (TEG), a mathematical model to predict the maximum energy conversion efficiency of TEG is developed. Then, a new compact thermoelectric generator (C-TEG) and a dimensional optimized TEG (DO-TEG) are proposed in this article. The compact thermoelectric generator is designed via logical intersection angle selection and layout, thus to improve the electric performance per unit volume. Finally, we compared the output electric performance of C-TEG and traditional thermoelectric generator (T-TEG) and that of DO-TEG under design and off-design conditions via numerical simulations. The results indicate that C-TEG has an excellent electric performance whose voltage, power, and efficiency decrease slightly whereas the output voltage, work, and efficiency compared with that of T-TEG have been significantly improved, with the amplitude increasing with the increase of resistant value of external loads.