Calculation of Efficiency of Thermoelectric Devices

Sherman, B.; Heikes, R. R.; Ure, R. W.

doi:10.1063/1.1735380

Cited by 154 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Minor improvements in thermoelectric cooling beyond increasing average zT by increasing the Thomson effect in a functionally graded material were predicted as early as 1960 7 . Similarly Müller et al describe modest gains in cooling from functionally grading [8][9][10] where material properties are allowed to vary in a constrained way such that the average zT remains constant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

et al. 2012

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Traditional thermoelectric Peltier coolers exhibit a cooling limit which is primarily determined by the figure of merit, zT. Rather than a fundamental thermodynamic limit, this bound can be traced to the difficulty of maintaining thermoelectric compatibility. Self-compatibility locally maximizes the cooler's coefficient of performance for a given zT and can be achieved by adjusting the relative ratio of the thermoelectric transport properties that make up zT . In this study, we investigate the theoretical performance of thermoelectric coolers that maintain self-compatibility across the device. We find such a device behaves very differently from a Peltier cooler, and term self-compatible coolers "Thomson coolers" when the Fourier heat divergence is dominated by the Thomson, as opposed to the Joule, term. A Thomson cooler requires an exponentially rising Seebeck coefficient with increasing temperature, while traditional Peltier coolers, such as those used commercially, have comparatively minimal change in Seebeck coefficient with temperature. When reasonable material property bounds are placed on the thermoelectric leg, the Thomson cooler is predicted to achieve approximately twice the maximum temperature drop of a traditional Peltier cooler with equivalent figure of merit (zT ). We anticipate the development of Thomson coolers will ultimately lead to solid state cooling to cryogenic temperatures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Early theoretical work by Sherman et al for TEC found that different ∆T max could be predicted from materials have the same or similar average zT but different temperature dependence of the individual properties α, ρ, κ 7 . This demonstrated that optimizing cooler performance is significantly more complex than simply maximizing zT .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

et al. 2012

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“…For a small selection we draw the reader's attention to [24,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55]. Another work should be particularly emphasized: Sherman, Heikes and Ure stated in [47] that the conditions which maximize the TEG's efficiency are precisely the conditions which minimize the irreversibility process, allowing a closer approach to the Carnot cycle where entropy production is zero. This concept had been deepened by Clingman [49,50] for TEG and TEC.…”

Section: Historical Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Goupil

Seifert

Zabrocki

et al. 2011

Entropy

268

252

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Abstract:Fifty years ago, the optimization of thermoelectric devices was analyzed by considering the relation between optimal performances and local entropy production. Entropy is produced by the irreversible processes in thermoelectric devices. If these processes could be eliminated, entropy production would be reduced to zero, and the limiting Carnot efficiency or coefficient of performance would be obtained. In the present review, we start with some fundamental thermodynamic considerations relevant for thermoelectrics. Based on a historical overview, we reconsider the interrelation between optimal performances and local entropy production by using the compatibility approach together with the thermodynamic arguments. Using the relative current density and the thermoelectric potential, we show that minimum entropy production can be obtained when the thermoelectric potential is a specific, optimal value.

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“…Recent work [1][2][3][4][5] has yielded powerful numerical algorithms and one dimensional (1D) models, which identify TEG configurations with maximized power output and efficiency for homogeneous, functionally graded and segmented thermoelectric materials. Those studies complemented the continua-theoretical description of thermoelectric pellets by an analytical approach, which is related to the relative current density.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Thermoelectric Generator Performance by Finite Element Modeling

Ziółkowski

Poinas

Leszczyński

et al. 2010

Journal of Elec Materi

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Prediction of thermoelectric performance parameters by numerical methods is an inherent part of thermoelectric generator (TEG) development and allows for time-and cost-saving assessment of material combinations and variations of crucial design parameters (e.g., shape, pellet length, and thermal coupling). Considering the complexity of a TEG system and its numerous affecting factors, the clarity and the flexibility of a mathematical treatment comes to the fore. Comfortable tools are provided by commercial finite element modeling (FEM) software offering powerful geometry interfaces, mesh generators, solvers, and postprocessing options. We describe the level of development and the simulation results of a three dimensional (3D) TEG FEM. Using ANSYS 11.0, we implemented and simulated a TEG module geometry under various conditions. Comparative analytical one dimensional (1D) results and a direct comparison with inhouse-developed TEG simulation software show the consistency of results. Several pellet aspect ratios and contact property configurations (thermal/electrical interface resistance) were evaluated for their impact on the TEG performance as well as parasitic effects such as convection, radiation, and conductive heat bypass. The scenarios considered revealed the highest efficiency decay for convectionally loaded setups (up to 4.8%pts), followed by the impacts of contact resistances (up to 4.8%pts), by radiation (up to 0.56%pts), and by thermal conduction of a solid filling material within the voids of the module construction (up to 0.14%pts).

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Calculation of Efficiency of Thermoelectric Devices

Cited by 154 publications

References 3 publications

Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Estimation of Thermoelectric Generator Performance by Finite Element Modeling

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