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Thermodynamic irreversibility and performance characteristics of thermoelectric power generator

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  • Sahin, Ahmet Z.
  • Yilbas, Bekir S.

Abstract

Thermodynamic irreversibility and performance characteristics of a thermoelectric power generator are investigated. The influence of the external load parameter, the thermal conductivity ratio, the figure of Merit, and the conductance ratio on the efficiency, the output power, and the entropy generation rate is predicted for various device operating parameters. It is found that the device efficiency increases to reach its maximum at the critical value of the output power and operating the device beyond the critical output power lowers the thermal efficiency and enhances the entropy generation rate significantly in the device.

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  • Sahin, Ahmet Z. & Yilbas, Bekir S., 2013. "Thermodynamic irreversibility and performance characteristics of thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 899-904.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:55:y:2013:i:c:p:899-904
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.03.064
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    3. Ibrahim, Amin & Rahnamayan, Shahryar & Vargas Martin, Miguel & Yilbas, Bekir, 2014. "Multi-objective thermal analysis of a thermoelectric device: Influence of geometric features on device characteristics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 305-317.
    4. Yilbas, Bekir Sami & Akhtar, S.S. & Sahin, A.Z., 2016. "Thermal and stress analyses in thermoelectric generator with tapered and rectangular pin configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 52-63.
    5. He, Wei & Guo, Rui & Liu, Shengchun & Zhu, Kai & Wang, Shixue, 2020. "Temperature gradient characteristics and effect on optimal thermoelectric performance in exhaust power-generation systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    6. Park, K. & Lee, G.W., 2013. "Fabrication and thermoelectric power of π-shaped Ca3Co4O9/CaMnO3 modules for renewable energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 87-93.
    7. Ming, T. & Wu, Y. & Peng, C. & Tao, Y., 2015. "Thermal analysis on a segmented thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 388-399.
    8. He, Wei & Zhang, Gan & Zhang, Xingxing & Ji, Jie & Li, Guiqiang & Zhao, Xudong, 2015. "Recent development and application of thermoelectric generator and cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1-25.
    9. Lee, Heonjoong & Sharp, Jeff & Stokes, David & Pearson, Matthew & Priya, Shashank, 2018. "Modeling and analysis of the effect of thermal losses on thermoelectric generator performance using effective properties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 987-996.
    10. Ju, Chengjian & Dui, Guansuo & Zheng, Helen Hao & Xin, Libiao, 2017. "Revisiting the temperature dependence in material properties and performance of thermoelectric materials," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 249-257.
    11. Sui, Xiaomei & Zhang, Zhe & Zhang, Yuqi & Xu, Daochun & Li, Wenbin, 2021. "Simplified calculation model for the effect of nonlinear temperature dependence of thermoelectric properties on the conversion efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    12. He, Wei & Guo, Rui & Takasu, Hiroki & Kato, Yukitaka & Wang, Shixue, 2019. "Performance optimization of common plate-type thermoelectric generator in vehicle exhaust power generation systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1153-1163.
    13. Sun, Xiuxiu & Liang, Xingyu & Shu, Gequn & Tian, Hua & Wei, Haiqiao & Wang, Xiangxiang, 2014. "Comparison of the two-stage and traditional single-stage thermoelectric generator in recovering the waste heat of the high temperature exhaust gas of internal combustion engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 489-498.
    14. Xiong, Bing & Chen, Lingen & Meng, Fankai & Sun, Fengrui, 2014. "Modeling and performance analysis of a two-stage thermoelectric energy harvesting system from blast furnace slag water waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 562-569.
    15. Twaha, Ssennoga & Zhu, Jie & Yan, Yuying & Li, Bo, 2016. "A comprehensive review of thermoelectric technology: Materials, applications, modelling and performance improvement," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 698-726.

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