Parametric analysis of temperature gradient across thermoelectric power generators

Abstract EN

This paper presents a parametric analysis of power generation from thermoelectric generators (TEGs).

The aim of the parametric analysis is to provide recommendations with respect to the applications of TEGs.

To proceed, the one-dimensional steady-state solution of the heat diffusion equation is considered with various boundary conditions representing real encountered cases.

Four configurations are tested.

The first configuration corresponds to the TEG heated with constant temperature at its lower surface and cooled with a fluid at its upper surface.

The second configuration corresponds to the TEG heated with constant heat flux at its lower surface and cooled with a fluid at its upper surface.

The third configuration corresponds to the TEG heated with constant heat flux at its lower surface and cooled by a constant temperature at its upper surface.

The fourth configuration corresponds to the TEG heated by a fluid at its lower surface and cooled by a fluid at its upper surface.

It was shown that the most promising configuration is the fourth one and temperature differences up to 70°C can be achieved at 150°C heat source.

Finally, a new concept is implemented based on configuration four and tested experimentally.