Analysis on the Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jincan Chen ◽  
Chih Wu
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Physical Meaning ◽  
Design Parameter ◽  
Thermoelectric Generator ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Simple Expression ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Thermoelectric Generators ◽  
Optimal Range ◽  
Engine Model

An externally and internally irreversible heat engine model of thermoelectric generators is used to analyze the so-called device-design parameter introduced by O¨zkaynak et al. The simple expression of the parameter is given and its physical meaning is expounded. Moreover, the optimal range of the parameter is determined and the problems relative to the maximum power output and maximum efficiency are discussed. Some meaningful results are obtained. [S0195-0738(00)00401-5]

The Role of Internal Irreversibilities in the Performance and Stability of Power Plant Models Working at Maximum ϵ-Ecological Function

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Valencia-Ortega ◽  
Sergio Levario-Medina ◽  
Marco Antonio Barranco-Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Ecological Function ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Engine Model ◽  
Improved Stability ◽  
The Stability

Abstract The proposal of models that account for the irreversibilities within the core engine has been the topic of interest to quantify the useful energy available during its conversion. In this work, we analyze the energetic optimization and stability (local and global) of three power plants, nuclear, combined-cycle, and simple-cycle ones, by means of the Curzon–Ahlborn heat engine model which considers a linear heat transfer law. The internal irreversibilities of the working fluid measured through the r-parameter are associated with the so-called “uncompensated Clausius heat.” In addition, the generalization of the ecological function is used to find operating conditions in three different zones, which allows to carry out a numerical analysis focused on the stability of power plants in each operation zone. We noted that not all power plants reveal stability in all the operation zones when irreversibilities are considered through the r-parameter on real-world power plants. However, an improved stability is shown in the zone limited by the maximum power output and maximum efficiency regimes.

scholarly journals Effect of Transport Properties on Thermoelectric Generators Design, A review

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meysam Karami Rad
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Transport Properties ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Figure Of Merit ◽  
Fill Factor ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Thermoelectric Generators ◽  
Module Design ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Module Performance

Abstract Due to the relatively low efficiency of thermoelectric (TE) generators, they have mostly been used in niche applications where the unique properties of TE generators outweigh their lack of efficiency, or conditions where it is more reasonable to base the optimal design on maximum generated power rather than maximum efficiency. The aim of this work is to investigate how the different fundamental transport properties (Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity) in materials with equal figure of merit (ZT) impact TE module design and maximum power output. Further, we discuss and review the strategies to enhance material properties and the latest studies on the TE module performance. It is shown, that by increasing the power factor by a factor of 15 and decreasing the thermal conductivity by 13.33 in order to maintain ZT=1, power output is increased by 45%. This effect is stronger in lower module fill factor and thermal resistance of the heat source and heat sink.

scholarly journals Energetic Optimization Considering a Generalization of the Ecological Criterion in Traditional Simple-Cycle and Combined-Cycle Power Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Levario-Medina ◽  
Gabriel Valencia-Ortega ◽  
Marco Antonio Barranco-Jiménez
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Type Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Energy Converter ◽  
Engine Model ◽  
Optimal Region ◽  
Energetic Performance

AbstractThe fundamental issue in the energetic performance of power plants, working both as traditional fuel engines and as combined-cycle turbines (gas-steam), lies in quantifying the internal irreversibilities which are associated with the working substance operating in cycles. The purpose of several irreversible energy converter models is to find objective thermodynamic functions that determine operation modes for real thermal engines and at the same time study the trade-off between energy losses per cycle and the useful energy. As those objective functions, we focus our attention on a generalization of the so-called ecological function in terms of an ϵ parameter that depends on the particular heat transfer law used in the irreversible heat engine model. In this work, we mathematically describe the configuration space of an irreversible Curzon–Ahlborn type model. The above allows to determine the optimal relations between the model parameters so that a power plant operates in physically accessible regions, taking into account internal irreversibilities, introduced in two different ways (additively and multiplicatively). In addition, we establish the conditions that the ϵ parameter must fulfill for the energy converter to work in an optimal region between maximum power output and maximum efficiency points.

Performance Assessment and Optimization of a Thermophotovoltaic Converter–Thermoelectric Generator Combined System

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tie Liu ◽  
Zhimin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Band Gap ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Thermoelectric Generator ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Band Gap Energy ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Emitter Temperature ◽  
Gap Energy ◽  
Voltage Output

To evaluate the feasibility of the performance enhancement of a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter by using a thermoelectric generator (TEG), a new model of a combined system is established, where the TEG is attached on the backside of the TPV converter to harvest the heat produced in the TPV converter. The effects of the voltage output of the TPV converter, band gap energy of the TPV converter, dimensionless current of the TEG, and emitter temperature on the performance of the combined system are examined numerically. It is found that the performance of the TPV converter can be enhanced by using the TEG. The percentage increment of the maximum power output density is larger than that of the maximum efficiency. There are optimally working regions of the converter voltage, dimensionless current, and band gap energy. The elevated emitter temperature results in the increase of the power output density of the combined system. However, there is an optimal emitter temperature that yields the maximum efficiency of the combined system. Moreover, the TEG is not suitable to harvest the heat produced in the TPV converter when the emitter temperature is sufficiently high.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Waste-Heat Thermoelectric Generators

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-204
Author(s):  
Mamdouh el Haj Assad
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Analysis ◽  
Finite Time ◽  
Thermoelectric Generator ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Thermoelectric Generators ◽  
The Real ◽  
Dimensional Parameters ◽  
Heat Engine Cycle ◽  
Engine Cycle

A thermodynamic analysis of a real waste-heat thermoelectric generator is investigated. The thermoelectric generator is considered as a heat engine cycle process with internal irreversibilities. The efficiency of the thermoelectric generator is expressed in terms of two non-dimensional parameters which are to be optimized. A finite-time thermodynamic analysis is used to optimize the temperatures of the hot and cold junctions of the real thermoelectric generator. A comparison between ideal and real waste-heat thermoelectric generators is demonstrated.

scholarly journals Modeling and Performance Optimization of an Irreversible Two-Stage Combined Thermal Brownian Heat Engine

Entropy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Congzheng Qi ◽  
Zemin Ding ◽  
Lingen Chen ◽  
Yanlin Ge ◽  
Huijun Feng
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
External Load ◽  
Thermal Contact ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Load Effect ◽  
Heat Engines ◽  
Heat Leakage ◽  
Steady Current

Based on finite time thermodynamics, an irreversible combined thermal Brownian heat engine model is established in this paper. The model consists of two thermal Brownian heat engines which are operating in tandem with thermal contact with three heat reservoirs. The rates of heat transfer are finite between the heat engine and the reservoir. Considering the heat leakage and the losses caused by kinetic energy change of particles, the formulas of steady current, power output and efficiency are derived. The power output and efficiency of combined heat engine are smaller than that of single heat engine operating between reservoirs with same temperatures. When the potential filed is free from external load, the effects of asymmetry of the potential, barrier height and heat leakage on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. When the potential field is free from external load, the effects of basic design parameters on the performance of the combined heat engine are analyzed. The optimal power and efficiency are obtained by optimizing the barrier heights of two heat engines. The optimal working regions are obtained. There is optimal temperature ratio which maximize the overall power output or efficiency. When the potential filed is subjected to external load, effect of external load is analyzed. The steady current decreases versus external load; the power output and efficiency are monotonically increasing versus external load.

scholarly journals Topology optimized thermoelectric generator: a parametric study

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Mativo ◽  
Kevin Hallinan ◽  
Uduak George ◽  
Greg Reich ◽  
Robin Steininger
Keyword(s):  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Thermoelectric Generator ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Power Conversion ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Power Reduction ◽  
Void Volume Fraction ◽  
Thermoelectric Generators ◽  
Maximal Power ◽  
Design Yield

Abstract Typical thermoelectric generator legs are brittle which limits their application in vibratory and shear environments. Research is conducted to develop compliant thermoelectric generators (TEGs) capable of converting thermal loads to power, while also supporting shear and vibratory loads. Mathematical structural, thermal, and power conversion models are developed. Topology optimization is employed to tailor the TEG design yield maximal power production while sustaining the applied shear and vibratory loads. As a specific example, results are presented for optimized TEG legs with a void volume fraction of 0.2 that achieve compliance shear displacement of 0.0636 (from a range of 0.0504 to 0.6079). In order to achieve the necessary compliance to support the load, the power reduction is reduced by 20% relative to similarly sized void free TEG legs.

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