A portable thermoelectric-power-generating module composed of oxide devices Abstract. This work analyzes the approaches that had led to the discovery of thermoelectricity and a generalized approach in the description of thermoelectric power conversion based on the induction of thermoelectric currents. Possibilities of thermal generators contribution to "green" technologies, in particular, to waste heat recovery from heat engines are analyzed. Tellurium problem and the ways of tackling it are considered. Attention is focused on the efficiency of computer methods for designing thermoelectric devices. The outlook for progress of thermoelectricity in measuring technique is considered. The information on the organizations and specialists in thermoelectricity is provided. The necessity of purposeful training specialists in thermoelectricity for its more successful development is emphasized.
Previously, the Institute of Thermoelectricity has created Bi 2 Te 3 -based modules with an efficiency of $7% in the temperature range of 30°C to 300°C, with legs that employed homogeneous thermoelectric materials. Herein, we present the results of development of such modules with legs made of inhomogeneous materials. Based on the theory of optimal control and object-oriented computer technology, programs to determine the requirements for material properties in the inhomogeneous legs were created. It was established that introduction of inhomogeneity in the form of continuous and step changes in three-segment n-and p-type legs yields almost identical efficiency increases of about 15%. Use of two segments reduces this value of 10% to 12%. Modules with twosegment legs encapsulated in thin-walled metal cases filled with inert gas have been built, yielding improved efficiency of 7.8% to 8%.
The theoretical aspects of evaluating the electrical resistance of a thermoelectric leg–metal contact are considered. A physical model of such a contact and methods for calculating the main components of the contact resistivity, namely, the resistivity of the interfacial layer and the resistivity related to the transfer of charge carriers through a potential barrier at the boundary between a material of the thermoelectric leg and a metal, are proposed. The contact resistivity for thermoelectric legs made of Bi2Te3 based materials with deposited antidiffusion nickel layers is calculated. It was established that the contact resistivity in such thermoelements reaches a value from 0.25 × 10−6 to 2.5 × 10−6 Ω cm2 and depends on the temperature and interfacial layer thickness. It is demonstrated that the findings are in good agreement with the known experimental values of contact resistivity.
Equipment for measuring parameters of thermoelectric generator modules in the temperature range from 30°C to 600°C, and in the expanded range to 800°C, has been developed. To determine module efficiency, the equipment employs a direct heat flux measurement using heat meters. Steps to minimize measurement errors were taken in the development. This equipment can be used for studies on the development of thermoelectric modules, as well as for their quality control during commercial production. Consumers will find this equipment useful for testing generator modules prior to mounting them into final products.
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