One-dimensional Modelling of Thermoelectric Cooling

Seifert, W.; Ueltzen, M.; Müller, Eckhard

doi:10.1002/1521-396x(200211)194:1<277::aid-pssa277>3.0.co;2-5

Cited by 86 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 3 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…One can see that the TEG and TEC configurations appear to be very similar except that the imposed potentials differ since temperature difference is imposed for TEG and voltage difference for TEC. At this point we would like to draw attention to the fact that there are different ways to model the three TE applications within the framework of a one-dimensional model, see e.g., [65], p. 489, and [115,116].…”

Section: Thermoelectric Generator Cooler and Heatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Goupil

Seifert

Zabrocki

et al. 2011

Entropy

269

252

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Thermoelectric Generator Cooler and Heatermentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Goupil

Seifert

Zabrocki

et al. 2011

Entropy

269

252

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Considering a Bi 2 Te 3 leg with temperature-dependent properties described in Ref. 25 , we find u and s to be quite close to a z-matched CPM cooler (Figure 3). Like the CPM cooler, u = s at only one temperature along the leg.…”

Section: Cooling Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Then by conservation of energy Q i = Q i−1 + P i (25) where P i is the power entering the pump i. The coefficient of performance φ n of the pump n is defined by…”

Section: Appendixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

“…The analytical solution of case III is given in [26]. In this appendix specially developed solutions for I, II, IV are presented.…”

Section: Acknowledgmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-linear finite element formulation applied to thermoelectric materials under hyperbolic heat conduction model

Palma

Pérez-Aparicio

Taylor

2012

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the present work, a 3-D, dynamic and non-linear finite element to simulate thermoelectric behavior under a hyperbolic heat conduction model is presented. The transport equations, which couple electric and thermal energies by the Seebeck, Peltier and Thomson effects, are analytically obtained through extended non-equilibrium thermodynamics, since the local equilibrium hypothesis is not valid under the hyperbolic model. In addition, 1-D analytical solutions are obtained to validate the finite element formulation. Numerically, standard isoparametric eight-node elements with two degrees of freedom (voltage and temperature) per node are used. Non-linearities due to the temperature-dependence on the transport properties and the Joule effects are addressed with the Newton-Raphson algorithm. For the dynamic problem, HHT and Newmark-β algorithms are compared to obtain accurate results, since numerical oscillations (Gibbs phenomena) are present when the initial boundary conditions are discontinuous. The last algorithm, which is regularized by relating time steps and element sizes, provides the best results. Finally, the finite element implementation is validated comparing the analytical and the numerical solutions.

show abstract

One-dimensional Modelling of Thermoelectric Cooling

Cited by 86 publications

References 3 publications

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications

Improved thermoelectric cooling based on the Thomson effect

Non-linear finite element formulation applied to thermoelectric materials under hyperbolic heat conduction model

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About