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A Methodological Approach of Predicting the Performance of Thermoelectric Generators with Temperature-Dependent Properties and Convection Heat Losses

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Sanin-Villa

    (Department of Mechatronics and Electromechanics, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Cra. 74d N 732, Medellín 050034, Colombia)

  • Oscar D. Monsalve-Cifuentes

    (Department of Mechatronics and Electromechanics, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, Cra. 74d N 732, Medellín 050034, Colombia)

Abstract

Thermoelectric generators are devices that transform thermal energy into electric energy. These devices play an influential role in our constantly developing civilization due to their energy conversion capabilities and advantages over other conventional methods. The material properties and thermoelectric phenomena are paramount to the design process of such devices. The design process must have a complex tool to model all the thermoelectric phenomena, such as, for example, the commercial numerical code of Ansys Mechanical. However, these numerical tools can be methodologically and computationally demanding. Thus, this study aims to develop a methodology through which to characterize thermoelectric generators by using a simplified one-dimensional numerical model that considers temperature-dependent N- and P-type material properties and convective heat losses. The proposed model’s results are compared and validated to a single thermoelectric leg and a complete thermoelectric commercial module, both modeled in Ansys Thermal-Electric. These results consider the different values for electric and thermal loads as current densities, electric resistivities, and heat transfer coefficients. The main result of this study is the correct prediction of the output voltage and output power given by the one-dimensional proposed model, which was validated against a comprehensive model and the commercial thermoelectric module’s information. Therefore, the proposed methodology of this study provides a deeper understanding of the thermoelectric energy conversion process, and it can guide the design and optimization of thermoelectric generators for practical applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Sanin-Villa & Oscar D. Monsalve-Cifuentes, 2023. "A Methodological Approach of Predicting the Performance of Thermoelectric Generators with Temperature-Dependent Properties and Convection Heat Losses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-24, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:20:p:7082-:d:1259251
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei, Jian & Zhou, Yuqi & Wang, Yuan & Miao, Zhuang & Guo, Yupeng & Zhang, Hao & Li, Xueting & Wang, Zhipeng & Shi, Zongmo, 2023. "A large-sized thermoelectric module composed of cement-based composite blocks for pavement energy harvesting and surface temperature reducing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    2. Daniel Sanin-Villa, 2022. "Recent Developments in Thermoelectric Generation: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Daniel Sanin-Villa & Oscar D. Monsalve-Cifuentes & Elkin E. Henao-Bravo, 2021. "Evaluation of Thermoelectric Generators under Mismatching Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-20, December.
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    8. Daniel Sanin-Villa & Oscar Danilo Montoya & Luis Fernando Grisales-Noreña, 2023. "Material Property Characterization and Parameter Estimation of Thermoelectric Generator by Using a Master–Slave Strategy Based on Metaheuristics Techniques," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-19, March.
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