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Geometric optimization of thermoelectric elements for maximum efficiency and power output

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  • Barry, Matthew M.
  • Agbim, Kenechi A.
  • Rao, Parthib
  • Clifford, Corey E.
  • Reddy, B.V.K.
  • Chyu, Minking K.

Abstract

The geometry of n- and p-type thermoelectric elements (TE) in terms of the cross-sectional area and length were optimized to yield either maximum thermal conversion efficiency ηth,max or maximum power output Po,max. The optimization process incorporated temperature-dependent material properties and independent thermal and electrical contact resistances that are a function of the contact area per TE leg. Additionally, ηth,max and Po,max were quantified by simultaneously optimizing the TE geometry and varying the hot-side fluid temperature, cold- and hot-side heat exchanger effective area and heat transfer coefficients using a complete one-dimensional thermal resistance network model. Optimized compared to non-optimized geometries, excluding contact resistances, achieve a maximum 10.4% increase in Po,max and 3.2% increase in ηth,max for conditions studied. Optimized compared to non-optimized geometries, taking into account independent thermal and electrical contact resistances, exhibit a 29% increase in volumetric power density and 12% increase in volumetric efficiency in comparison to non-optimized cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Barry, Matthew M. & Agbim, Kenechi A. & Rao, Parthib & Clifford, Corey E. & Reddy, B.V.K. & Chyu, Minking K., 2016. "Geometric optimization of thermoelectric elements for maximum efficiency and power output," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 388-407.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:112:y:2016:i:c:p:388-407
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.05.048
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Nour Eddine, A. & Chalet, D. & Faure, X. & Aixala, L. & Chessé, P., 2018. "Optimization and characterization of a thermoelectric generator prototype for marine engine application," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 682-695.
    4. Shen, Zu-Guo & Wu, Shuang-Ying & Xiao, Lan & Chen, Zu-Xiang, 2017. "Proposal and assessment of a solar thermoelectric generation system characterized by Fresnel lens, cavity receiver and heat pipe," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 215-238.
    5. Nour Eddine, A. & Chalet, D. & Faure, X. & Aixala, L. & Chessé, P., 2018. "Effect of engine exhaust gas pulsations on the performance of a thermoelectric generator for wasted heat recovery: An experimental and analytical investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 715-727.
    6. Miao, Zhuang & Meng, Xiangning & Zhou, Sen & Zhu, Miaoyong, 2020. "Thermo-mechanical analysis on thermoelectric legs arrangement of thermoelectric modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 2272-2278.
    7. Hancock, Asher J. & Fulton, Laura B. & Ying, Justin & Clifford, Corey E. & Sammak, Shervin & Barry, Matthew M., 2021. "A GPU-Accelerated ray-tracing method for determining radiation view factors in multi-junction thermoelectric generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    8. Yin, Tao & Li, Zhen-Ming & Peng, Peng & Liu, Wei & Shao, Yu-Ying & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2021. "Performance analysis and design optimization of a compact thermoelectric generator with T-Shaped configuration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).

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