Optimization of a Sandwiched Thermoelectric Device

Abstract

An analysis is made for optimizing the thermal efficiency of a sandwiched thermoelectric device and is coded for a digital computer. For suitable input data, the computer determines the thermocouple design that approximately maximizes the thermal efficiency of the device. A verification of the analysis indicates that the difference between the approximately optimum efficiency and the optimum efficiency is negligible.

Realizing Excellent Thermoelectric Performance of Sb2Te3 Based Segmented Leg with a Wide Temperature Range Using One‐Step Sintering

“…The ZT ave is the average value of the dimensionless figureof-merit (ZT) of thermoelectric materials, which is defined as ZT = (S 2 σ/κ)T, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ the electrical conductivity, κ the thermal conductivity, and T the absolute temperature. Segmented TE devices proposed in 1961 by Swanson et al [9] are generally considered as the most effective method to achieve high conversion efficiency. Recently, great progress has been achieved in enhancing thermoelectric performance via band engineering, [4] quantum confinement, [5] nanostructuring, [6] and hierarchical architecturing.…”

Segmented thermoelectric generator: Influence of pin shape configuration on the device performance

“…1. After introducing the Dirichlet boundary conditions, the efficiency of the segmented thermoelectric power generator can be written as [18]:…”

Configuration of segmented leg for the enhanced performance of segmented thermoelectric generator

“…Consider the segmented thermoelectric generator as shown in Figure 1. After introducing the Dirichlet boundary Performance assessments of segmented thermoelectric generator H. Ali and B. S. Yilbas conditions, the efficiency of the segmented thermoelectric power generator can be given as [25] η ¼ I 2 R L α eff:;1 T high I þ ΔT n;1 K n;1 þ ΔT p;1 K p;1 À Á À 1 2 I 2 R n;1 þ R p;1…”