Design of a thermoelectric generator with fast transient respose

Thermoelectric modules are currently used both in Peltier cooling and in Seebeck mode for electricity generation. The developments experienced in both cases depend essentially on two factors: the thermoelectric properties of the materials that form these elements (mainly semiconductors), and the ext...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Fisac, Miguel, Villasevil Marco, Francisco Javier|||0000-0001-9266-0214, López Martínez, Antonio Miguel|||0000-0001-7232-0415
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/28299
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/28299
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.03.080
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Thermoelectric cooling
Thermoelectric generator
High dynamic response
Geometry design
Thermoelectric model
Termoelectricitat
Refrigeració
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies::Termoenergètica::Refrigeració
Descripción
Sumario:Thermoelectric modules are currently used both in Peltier cooling and in Seebeck mode for electricity generation. The developments experienced in both cases depend essentially on two factors: the thermoelectric properties of the materials that form these elements (mainly semiconductors), and the external structure of the semiconductors. Figure of Merit Z is currently the best way of measuring the efficiency of semiconductors, as it relates to the intrinsic parameters of the semiconductor: Seebeck coefficient, thermal resistance, and thermal conductivity. When it comes to evaluating the complete structure, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is used, relating the electrical power to the thermal power of the module. This paper develops a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) structure which allows minimising the response time of the thermoelectric device, obtaining short working cycles and, therefore, a higher working frequency.