Analysis on thermo-mechanical stress of thermoelectric module

Hori, Yasuhiko; Kusano, D.; Ito, Tetsuo; Izumi, Keita

doi:10.1109/ict.1999.843396

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…For example, in ref. [11], experiments using 47.5 mm x 47.5 mm TEGs with 49 thermoelements showed that TEGs with larger area pellets display a slower rate of degradation. In ref.…”

Section: Failure Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Experimental investigations of standard TEGs typically involve a sample placed between a heat source and sink with the cold side of the TEG maintained at a constant temperature and the hot side temperature cycled, such as the study by Chen and Lee [10]. Hori et al [11] assessed the influence of thermal cycling on the performance of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) TEGs. Three modules were investigated, each consisting of thermoelectric elements with a different cross-sectional area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermal cycling of thermoelectric generators: The effect of heating rate

et al. 2019

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Thermoelectric generators, or TEGs, are solid state devices which can convert heat directly into electricity according to the Seebeck effect. When thermoelectric generators are subjected to thermal cycling they can undergo severe performance degradation. In this study, an experimental rig is constructed which is capable of thermally cycling the heat delivered to commercially available thermoelectric generators. An experimental investigation is undertaken to elucidate the effects of the cycling and heating rate on the power generation performance of the generators over time. Three generator modules of the same specifications were subjected to different heating rates. The figure of merit, the electrical power output, the effective Seebeck coefficient and the internal resistance of the generators are measured to assess the evolution of the modules' performance over 600 heating and cooling cycles. It is determined that all thermoelectric generators display power generation performance reductions, and that faster thermal cycling rates lead to both faster performance degradation and an overall greater performance drop. It is observed that the reduction of the figure of merit and power generation performance is primarily due to the increase of the internal resistance of the thermoelectric generators.

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“…For example, in ref. [11], experiments using 47.5 mm x 47.5 mm TEGs with 49 thermoelements showed that TEGs with larger area pellets display a slower rate of degradation. In ref.…”

Section: Failure Mechanismsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal cycling of thermoelectric generators: The effect of heating rate

et al. 2019

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“…A 16% increase in module resistivity, attributed to cracking and interdiffusion at the solder-metal interface, resulted in the zT decreasing from 0.74–0.63 [67]. A finite element model of a Bi 2 Te 3 module by Hori et al, where the hot side was cycled between 30 and 180 o C while the cold side remained at 30 °C, predicts an increase in the internal resistance caused by the contact degradation in the Sn-Pb solder present between the Cu conducting plate and the TE element (Bi 2 Te 3 ), with failure of the module after 400 cycles [68]. Stresses at the solder-Bi 2 Te 3 interface were tensile in nature, with a peak value of 142 MPa.…”

Section: Stresses and Strains In Te Modulementioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical behaviour of thermoelectric materials – a perspective

Malki

Snyder

Dunand

2023

International Materials Reviews

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Research on thermoelectric materialswith their vast potential for applications in solid-state cooling or energy-conversion deviceshas so far mainly focused on enhancing their conversion efficiency. However, understanding and tailoring the mechanical performance of thermoelectric modules and devices is crucial for their long-term use, as they are subjected to spatially-complex and time-varying thermomechanical stressesboth internal and externalwhich may lead to plastic, fatigue and/or creep deformation. This leads to changes in thermoelectric performance, dimensions (via strain accumulation) and mechanical integrity (via crack and pore formation, leading to failure). This review addresses the current understanding of various modes of stress-induced deformation that can take place during extended operation of thermoelectric materials and their impact on the strain (elastic, plastic, and creep), and the associated damage (bloating, fatigue, and fracture). Finally, some new areas of research straddling mechanical and thermoelectric behaviour are identified.

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“…Moreover, continuous thermal cycling and an elevated temperature difference generate thermal stress into the TEG module, which affects the thermoelectric performance and may eventually lead to structural and mechanical failures . The device element cross-sectional area, mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and device geometry influence the thermomechanical stability as well as the lifetime of the TEG. A comprehensive study on the impact of geometrical parameters on thermal stress has shown that a thinner alumina plate as a heat collector (thickness ≤ 2.5 mm) and a smaller gap between thermoelectric legs can efficiently reduce the thermal stress generated in a Bi 2 Te 3 -based TEG …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Analysis and Optimization of a SnSe-Based Thermoelectric Generator

Bhattacharya

Ranjan

Kumar

et al. 2021

ACS Appl. Energy Mater.

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The thermoelectric generator (TEG) is considered as one of the most promising technologies for clean energy generation. But performance optimization with respect to its design and architecture is required for wide-scale commercialization. In this study, we have carried out finite element modeling (FEM) of a SnSe-based thermoelectric generator (TEG) considering electrical contact loss and various heat losses under isothermal and isoflux heat boundary conditions. The conventional Π-architecture comprising both p- and n-legs often results in overall poor performance due to the inferior efficiency of the n-leg TE module compared to its p-counterpart even though SnSe holds high ZT values (≥2). To counter that, we have strategized to design only a p-legged architecture and evaluated its performance in terms of power output and efficiency. Step-by-step optimization of internal and system level parameters for a multiple p-legged as well as traditional p–n-legged TEG has been carried out. Further, Al-based fins have been used to increase the net heat capturing area in the case of the isoflux heat boundary condition. The incorporation of fins facilitates us to redefine an internal parameter called fill fraction (FF) in terms of system level parameters, which leads to easier optimization of the TEG. Keeping in mind the practical application of a TEG in automobile exhaust, simulation of multiple p-legged architecture has resulted in maximum power output of 6.61 and 3.45 W under the isothermal and isoflux heat boundary conditions, respectively. In the FEM considering various thermal and electrical losses under the isothermal heat boundary condition, a maximum efficiency of 4.8% has been obtained in the case of Π-architecture, which is slightly higher than that obtained in the multiple p-legged TEG (3.48%). However, under the isoflux scenario, which is more commonly found in practical waste-heat sources, a maximum efficiency of 17.5% has been achieved for multiple p-legged architecture, which is 14 times higher than that attained for Π-architecture (1.24%). Also, a huge surge (500%) in maximum power output has been observed for the proposed multiple p-legged TEG compared to Π-architecture in our FEM considering various thermal and electrical losses in the isoflux heat source condition. Furthermore, the investigation of thermal and mechanical stability in terms of generated von Mises stress and deformation due to a significant temperature difference has revealed that multiple p-legged architecture is indeed more stable as compared to a Π-architecture TEG under both of the heat boundary conditions.

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Analysis on thermo-mechanical stress of thermoelectric module

Cited by 7 publications

References 2 publications

Thermal cycling of thermoelectric generators: The effect of heating rate

Thermal cycling of thermoelectric generators: The effect of heating rate

Mechanical behaviour of thermoelectric materials – a perspective

Performance Analysis and Optimization of a SnSe-Based Thermoelectric Generator

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