Detailed Transient Multiphysics Model for Fast and Accurate Design, Simulation and Optimization of a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) or Thermal Energy Harvesting Device

Abstract

Described herein is a detailed and comprehensive multiphysics model of a thermoelectric generator (TEG). The one-dimensional model uses electricalthermal analogies solved for transient response using SPICE. There are many advantages and applications of thermoelectric generators. Wider use and application advancements are generally limited by the tools available for engineering and scientific studies. Currently, available modeling tools are limited by some combination of speed, platform capabilities, or missing physics that are not used or assumed to be negligible. The TEG module model herein is made up of two sub-models, the thermoelement model and the non-thermoelement model. Rather than a lumped thermoelement model, the model herein makes use of distributed physics that include the following: Thomson effect, temperature dependence, mass, Joule heat, thermal resistance, Seebeck effect, and electrical resistance. The non-thermoelement model takes into account temperature dependence and simulates Joule heat generation, thermal resistances, thermal and electrical interface resistances, and mass for and between the ceramic, copper, and solder. The comprehensive model herein was correlated to experimental data that simultaneously varied electrical current and hot and cold side temperatures with time. Very minimal adjustments to reported thermoelectric properties were required to almost perfectly match the experimental transient power output. The effects of the non-thermoelement model, distributed Thomson effect model and distributed temperature dependent property model were quantified. The model ran very quickly, taking 2.5 real-time seconds to run a 4000 s transient simulation.

Modeling of Thermal Integration of a Catalytic Microcombustor with a Thermoelectric for Power Generation Applications

“…The TEG module includes not only the p- and n-type semiconductor legs alone but also the air gap in the finite leg spacing separating the legs, copper connectors, and solder materials, which are known to affect the performance. ,, Accounting for temperature-dependent properties of individual elements is difficult, and the TEG design may not be readily available from the manufacturer. Therefore, the key contribution of this work is in reducing the complexity of modeling individual components of the TEG module and instead adopting a lumped parameter approach.…”

“…Alternatively, the charge conservation equations have been expressed in terms of user-defined scalars and solved with UDFs, as in refs and . Another modeling strategy, based on the analogy between thermal and electrical resistances, was implemented using a code called SPICE. , Piggott highlighted the need to consider temperature-dependent properties for an accurate prediction of the experimental power output.…”

“…may not be easily available . For example, in a rigorous TEG model, the properties of Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity of p- or n-type semiconductors alone were used, ,, although it is known that other components such as solders, contact resistances, and air gap in the leg spaces also affect model predictions. ,, However, since the properties of individual elements and the internal design details of TEGs are difficult to obtain from the manufacturer and modeling each of these components, when coupled with the microreactor model, is tedious, we consider the series of thermocouples as a single TEG block. The module properties are then estimated as temperature-dependent functions aggregated for the entire TEG block.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Flexible Thermoelectric Generators Using Micromachining and Electroplating Techniques

“…Many recent studies have focused on the development of thermoelectric generators [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Thermoelectric generators are used to convert waste heat into electrical power, which is a green energy.…”