Abstract
The influence of three main irreversibilities existing in thermoelectric devices on the performance of a thermoelectric generator is investigated by means of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and finite-time thermodynamics. It is first proven that the Joule heat generation inside the thermoelectric device will flow equally to the hot and the cold junctions of the device for any values of the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs. Then the efficiency and the power output of the thermoelectric generator are optimized. The maximum efficiency and the maximum power output are determined. The power output versus efficiency curves illustrate clearly that the two operating point corresponding to maximum efficiency and maximum power output approach one another as the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs decrease. Finally, the optimal problem relative to the load matching involved in the design of a practical thermoelectric generator is discussed in detail. (au) (13 refs.)
Citation Formats
Chen, Jincan, and Andresen, B.
New bounds on the performance parameters of a thermoelectric generator.
Denmark: N. p.,
1994.
Web.
Chen, Jincan, & Andresen, B.
New bounds on the performance parameters of a thermoelectric generator.
Denmark.
Chen, Jincan, and Andresen, B.
1994.
"New bounds on the performance parameters of a thermoelectric generator."
Denmark.
@misc{etde_10127906,
title = {New bounds on the performance parameters of a thermoelectric generator}
author = {Chen, Jincan, and Andresen, B}
abstractNote = {The influence of three main irreversibilities existing in thermoelectric devices on the performance of a thermoelectric generator is investigated by means of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and finite-time thermodynamics. It is first proven that the Joule heat generation inside the thermoelectric device will flow equally to the hot and the cold junctions of the device for any values of the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs. Then the efficiency and the power output of the thermoelectric generator are optimized. The maximum efficiency and the maximum power output are determined. The power output versus efficiency curves illustrate clearly that the two operating point corresponding to maximum efficiency and maximum power output approach one another as the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs decrease. Finally, the optimal problem relative to the load matching involved in the design of a practical thermoelectric generator is discussed in detail. (au) (13 refs.)}
place = {Denmark}
year = {1994}
month = {Jul}
}
title = {New bounds on the performance parameters of a thermoelectric generator}
author = {Chen, Jincan, and Andresen, B}
abstractNote = {The influence of three main irreversibilities existing in thermoelectric devices on the performance of a thermoelectric generator is investigated by means of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and finite-time thermodynamics. It is first proven that the Joule heat generation inside the thermoelectric device will flow equally to the hot and the cold junctions of the device for any values of the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs. Then the efficiency and the power output of the thermoelectric generator are optimized. The maximum efficiency and the maximum power output are determined. The power output versus efficiency curves illustrate clearly that the two operating point corresponding to maximum efficiency and maximum power output approach one another as the thermal conductances between the thermoelectric device and its external heat reservoirs decrease. Finally, the optimal problem relative to the load matching involved in the design of a practical thermoelectric generator is discussed in detail. (au) (13 refs.)}
place = {Denmark}
year = {1994}
month = {Jul}
}