Load following characteristics of SiGe/GaP thermoelectric generators and their response to external heating

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.338005· OSTI ID:7052402

El-Genk, M S; Seo, J T; Buksa, J J

This paper discusses the load following characteristics of SiGe/GaP thermoelectric (TE) generators during both steady-state and transient changes of the external load. It also investigates the performance of TE generators as they are subjected to an external heating at their cold shoes. Results show that TE generators are load following within a narrow range of external load values and that external heating impairs their performance. The load following behavior of TE generators was found to be independent of the rate of changing the external load (steady state or ramp). For a constant hot shoe temperature, external heating of the TE generators caused their cold shoe temperature to rise and consequently increased the rate of heat rejection by radiation and decreased the electric power output. Because of the enhancement in the heat rejection by radiation during the external heating of the TE generators, a large heating rate is required for the generators to cease operation. The tolerance of TE generators to external heating can effectively be increased by initially raising the TE cold shoe temperature.

• Research Organization: Institute for Space Nuclear Power Studies, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering,The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
• OSTI ID: 7052402
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 61:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS
HEATING LOAD
PERFORMANCE
SIMULATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
HEATING
POWER
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
THEORETICAL DATA
CURRENTS
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
FUNCTIONS
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
300301* - Thermoelectric Generators- Design & Development
300302 - Thermoelectric Generators- Performance & Testing