Validation of commercial Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric generator modules for application as metrological reference samples

Ziółkowski, Pawel; Blaschkewitz, Przemyslaw; Müller, Eckhard

doi:10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109247

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(58 reference statements)

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“…From a material aspect, because most of TECs work at near‐room temperatures (250–400 K), till now, the best near‐room‐temperature bulk TE materials are p‐type and n‐type Bi 2 Te 3 ‐based semiconductors, [ 155 ] including p‐type Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 3 [ 156 ] and Sb 2 Te 3 , [ 157 ] and n‐type Bi 2 Te 3 and Bi 2 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 . [ 158 ] Figure 2b illustrates temperature‐dependent ZT s of Bi 2 Te 3 ‐based semiconductors.…”

Section: Fabrication and Performance Of Tecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

et al. 2022

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Owing to the free of noise, mechanical component, working fluid, and chemical reaction, thermoelectric cooling is regarded as a suitable solution to address the greenhouse emission for the broad cooling scenarios. Here, the significant progress of state‐of‐the‐art thermoelectric coolers is comprehensively summarized and the related aspects of materials, fundamental design, heat sinks, and structures, are overviewed. Particularly, the usage of thermoelectric coolers in smart city, greenhouse, and personal and chip thermal management is highlighted. In the end, current challenges and future opportunities for further improvement of designs, performance, and applications of thermoelectric coolers are pointed out.

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Section: Fabrication and Performance Of Tecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

et al. 2022

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“…The functional characterization of TEMs follows a defined sequence after reaching thermal stability. This measurement procedure was discussed along with a description of applied characterization and evaluation methods for electric, thermal, and thermoelectric TEM properties in previous works [ 51 , 52 ]. It should be noted at this point that all relevant measurement signals are recorded after temperature stabilization for a period of typically 3–5 min.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commercial Bi 2 Te 3 -based TEMs from four manufacturers have been investigated in a previous study [ 52 ] concerning their functional stability, assessed by measurements of the internal electric resistance R i during short- and long-term stability tests under temperature cycling. The most stable TEM type showed lowest changes over time Δ R i = 0.25% (short-term test) and 2.43% (long-term test), respectively.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to improve this situation, we provide further information on characterization facilities, which are operated at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). In addition to previous publications, which have quantified the uncertainty of heat flow measurement on a thermal reference material [ 51 ] and the uncertainty of module resistance measurements [ 52 ], we report on the uncertainty budget for the maximum power, heat flow, and efficiency measurement on a TEM in this work, in order to allow for a conclusive interpretation of observed deviations between round robin (RR) results. Besides discussion of the RR results, a brief summary of experiments for module sample selection will be given, in addition to further relevant information on the organization of comparative RR tests and their technical concept.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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International Round Robin Test of Thermoelectric Generator Modules

et al. 2022

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The status of metrology for the characterization of thermoelectric generator modules (TEM) is investigated in this work by an international round robin (RR) test including twelve laboratories from nine countries on three continents. Measurements have been performed with three samples of a Bi2Te3-based commercial TEM type, which has prevailed over three competing types during previous tests on the short- and long-term stability. A comparison of temperature-dependent results is provided up to 200 °C hot side temperature for the maximum power output Pmax, the incident heat flow Q˙In (at maximum efficiency conditions), and the maximum efficiency ηmax. Data evaluation from all RR participants reveals maximum standard deviations for these measurands of 27.2% (Pmax), 59.2% (Q˙In), and 25.9% (ηmax). A comparison between RR data sets and reference data from manufacturer specifications shows high deviations of up to 46%, too. These deviations reflect the absence of measurement guidelines and reference samples and confirm the need for improvements in the standardization of TEM metrology. Accordingly, the results of the RR are presented against the background of our own investigations on the uncertainty budgets for the determination of the abovementioned TEM properties using inhouse-developed characterization facilities, which comprise reference and absolute measurement techniques for the determination of heat flow.

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“…After assembly, the module performance was measured using an in-house built thermoelectric generator measurement apparatus (TEGMA) reported in other studies. [52][53][54] The measuring section of the setup was made of a heater, a geometry adaptor (copper), which distributed the heat flow on the hot side of the TEG over an appropriate cross section, the measured TEG, a nickel block (nickel LC992) that was used as a heat flow meter (HFM), and a cooling plate as a heat sink at the bottom of the configuration. To ensure good heat transfer between all components of the measuring section, graphite foils (Dr. Fritsch Gerätebau GmbH, 200 μm thickness) were inserted at all interfaces.…”

Section: Module Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficiency Measurement and Modeling of a High‐Performance Mg₂(Si,Sn)‐Based Thermoelectric Generator

et al. 2022

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Mg2(Si,Sn) is an attractive material class due to its excellent thermoelectric (TE) properties, its eco‐friendly constituents, its low mass density, and its low price. A lot of research has been done on optimizing its TE properties; however, works on its use in thermoelectric generators (TEG) are scarce. Herein, the first conversion efficiency measurement of a functional, fully Mg2(Si,Sn)‐based TEG, approaching a maximum value of 4% for an applied ΔT = 375 °C, is shown. A maximum power density of 0.9 W cm−2 (related to the cross‐sectional area of the TE legs) at ΔT=375 °C is also reported, which is among the highest performance of silicide‐based modules reported in literature. Efficiency measurements can be tricky due to the uncertainty of heat flow measurement and parasitic heat losses; therefore, assessing the measurement reliability by confronting it to theoretical calculations is necessary. TEG device simulation in a constant property model is used to compare measured data to expected values and a good match is found (<1% deviation for current at maximum power, <4% difference for maximum power output, deviation within measurement uncertainty range for heat flows and efficiency). The significant discrepancy between measurement and calculations of the inner electrical resistance reveals room for improvement. Cracks form due to thermally induced mechanical stress, which dramatically increase the inner electrical resistance. It is shown that by avoiding those cracks, the maximum power output and conversion efficiency of the TEG could be improved by 30%.

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Validation of commercial Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric generator modules for application as metrological reference samples

Cited by 8 publications

References 51 publications

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

International Round Robin Test of Thermoelectric Generator Modules

Efficiency Measurement and Modeling of a High‐Performance Mg₂(Si,Sn)‐Based Thermoelectric Generator

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Validation of commercial Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric generator modules for application as metrological reference samples

Cited by 8 publications

References 51 publications

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

International Round Robin Test of Thermoelectric Generator Modules

Efficiency Measurement and Modeling of a High‐Performance Mg2(Si,Sn)‐Based Thermoelectric Generator

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Product

Resources

About

Efficiency Measurement and Modeling of a High‐Performance Mg₂(Si,Sn)‐Based Thermoelectric Generator