Validating an alternative method to predict thermoelectric generator performance

Abstract When designing a system that utilises TEG (Thermoelectric generator) technology, it is required to know what will be the performance of the TEGs under the expected operating conditions. To do this, equations that model the performance of the TEG must be used. There are existing equations which predict the efficiency and power output of the TEGs but in this paper, alternative equations are derived which are far simpler than the existing equations to use. These derived equations predict the efficiency and maximum power output as a function of temperature difference. Parameters which describe the characteristics of the TEG such as the gradient of the current – voltage curve, gradient of the open circuit voltage – temperature difference curve and the thermal resistance are required to be able to use these equations. Testing was undertaken to find these parameters and to validate the output of these equations to the experimental results. It was found that the equations derived are valid but should not be used at very high temperature differences.

[1]  R. Stobart,et al.  The Potential for Thermo-Electric Regeneration of Energy in Vehicles , 2009 .

[2]  D. Brigham,et al.  Thermoelectric Exhaust Heat Recovery for Hybrid Vehicles , 2009 .

[3]  Gao Min,et al.  Evaluation of thermoelectric modules for power generation , 1998 .

[4]  Aliakbar Akbarzadeh,et al.  Electricity generation from an exhaust heat recovery system utilising thermoelectric cells and heat pipes , 2014 .

[5]  Gaowei Liang,et al.  Analytical model of parallel thermoelectric generator , 2011 .

[6]  Gequn Shu,et al.  A comprehensive design method for segmented thermoelectric generator , 2015 .

[7]  H. Goldsmid,et al.  Bismuth Telluride and Its Alloys as Materials for Thermoelectric Generation , 2014, Materials.

[8]  Shiho Kim,et al.  A Thermoelectric Generator Using Engine Coolant for Light-Duty Internal Combustion Engine-Powered Vehicles , 2011 .

[9]  A. Akbarzadeh,et al.  Simultaneous power generation and heat recovery using a heat pipe assisted thermoelectric generator system , 2015 .

[10]  M. A. Karri,et al.  Exhaust energy conversion by thermoelectric generator: Two case studies , 2011 .

[11]  Masayoshi Mori,et al.  Simulation of Fuel Economy Effectiveness of Exhaust Heat Recovery System Using Thermoelectric Generator in a Series Hybrid , 2011 .

[12]  Nazih Moubayed,et al.  New modeling approach and validation of a thermoelectric generator , 2014, 2014 IEEE 23rd International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (ISIE).

[13]  Andreas Bitschi,et al.  Modelling of thermoelectric devices for electric power generation , 2009 .

[14]  Hun Sik Han,et al.  Performance measurement and analysis of a thermoelectric power generator , 2010, 2010 12th IEEE Intersociety Conference on Thermal and Thermomechanical Phenomena in Electronic Systems.

[15]  S. K. Wang,et al.  A Review of Organic Rankine Cycles (ORCs) for the Recovery of Low-grade Waste Heat , 1997 .

[16]  Gequn Shu,et al.  Comparison and parameter optimization of a two-stage thermoelectric generator using high temperature exhaust of internal combustion engine , 2014 .

[17]  Gequn Shu,et al.  Power and efficiency factors for comprehensive evaluation of thermoelectric generator materials , 2016 .

[18]  Jorge Martins,et al.  Influence of Heat Pipe Operating Temperature on Exhaust Heat Thermoelectric Generation , 2013 .

[19]  Ryosuke O. Suzuki,et al.  Mathematical simulation of thermoelectric power generation with the multi-panels , 2003 .

[20]  Hosung Lee.  Thermal Design: Heat Sinks, Thermoelectrics, Heat Pipes, Compact Heat Exchangers And Solar Cells , 2015 .

[21]  Min Chen,et al.  Theoretical, experimental and numerical diagnose of critical power point of thermoelectric generators , 2014 .

[22]  Aliakbar Akbarzadeh,et al.  Experimental investigation of combined heat recovery and power generation using a heat pipe assisted thermoelectric generator system , 2016 .