Effect of configuration size of thermoelectric couple on performance of annular thermoelectric generator

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2020.05.012

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2020, Vol. 54

Issue (5): 947-953 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2020.05.012

Mechanical Engineering

Effect of configuration size of thermoelectric couple on performance of annular thermoelectric generator

Ai-bing ZHANG1,*(

),Wen-kai YAN1,Dan-dan PANG2,Bao-lin WANG3,Ji WANG1

1. Piezoelectric Device Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
2. Henan Province Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Rehabilitation Technology, Henan University of Urban Construction, Pingdingshan 467002, China
3. Centre for Infrastructure Engineering, School of Engineering, Western Sydney University, Penrith 2751, Australia

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Abstract

A theoretical model was provided for the annular thermoelectric generator (ATEG) based on the one-dimensional steady heat transport theory. Effects of configuration size of P-type and N-type thermoelectric couple, asymmetry of material properties of thermoelectric couple and interface contact resistance on the output performance of ATEG were considered. The relationship between configuration size of P-type and N-type thermoelectric couple and their material properties was determined for the ideal ATEG based on the principle of maximum energy conversion efficiency. The influence of interface contact heat resistance and electrical resistance was considered, and the linear simplified solution which is more convenient to use than exact solution was obtained. The optimized angle ratio of N-type to P-type thermoelectric legs in the direction of circumference was also determined when the maximum output power and maximum conversion efficiency of ATEG attained. The interface contact resistance has a significant effect on the optimized anlge ratio for the short ATEG, and this ratio approaches to the ideal solution gradually as the configuration size of ATEG increases. Resluts obtained based on the ideal model can be used to guide the design of the realistic ATEG device when the size parameter s_r is greater than 2.

Key words： annular thermoelectric generator configuration size of thermoelectric couple contact resistance output power energy conversion efficiency

Received: 19 April 2019 Published: 05 May 2020

CLC:

TK 01+8

Corresponding Authors: Ai-bing ZHANG E-mail: zhangaibing@nbu.edu.cn

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Cite this article:

Ai-bing ZHANG,Wen-kai YAN,Dan-dan PANG,Bao-lin WANG,Ji WANG. Effect of configuration size of thermoelectric couple on performance of annular thermoelectric generator. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2020, 54(5): 947-953.

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http://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2020.05.012 OR http://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2020/V54/I5/947

热电偶臂构型尺寸对环形热电发电器性能的影响

基于一维稳态热传导理论提出环形热电发电器(ATEG)的数学物理模型，考虑P型和N型热电偶臂的构型尺寸、材料热电性质不对称性以及界面接触阻力对其输出性能的影响. 针对理想的环形热电发电器，基于最大能量转换效率原则建立P型和N型热电偶臂构型尺寸与材料性质间的最优定量关系. 考虑界面接触热阻和界面接触电阻效应的影响，给出相对于精确解更方便实用的电流线性简化解，确定环形热电发电器最大输出功率、最大能量转换效率对应的P型、N型热电偶臂圆周角度比. 发现界面接触对小尺寸器件的热电偶臂圆周角度比影响显著，但随着器件构型尺寸的增大，比值逐渐趋近于理想器件的结果.当器件尺寸参数s_r>2时，可以基于理想模型指导环形热电发电器的设计计算.

关键词： 环形热电发电器, 热电偶臂构型尺寸, 接触阻力, 输出功率, 能量转换效率

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of annular thermoelectric generator

Tab.1 Comparison and error analysis between exact solution and linear solution of current (case 1：Bi₂Te₃-Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃)

Tab.2 Properties of thermoelectric materials BiSbTe, Bi₂Te₃ and Bi_0.5Sb_1.5Te₃^[21]

Fig.2 Relation between output power and length of ATEG

Fig.3 Relation between energy conversion efficiency and length of ATEG

Tab.3 Relationship between energy conversion efficiency, optimized angle ratio in direction of circumference and length of ATEG

Fig.4 Relation between output power and angle ratio of thermoelectric couple in direction of circumference of ATEG

Fig.5 Relation between energy conversion efficiency and angle ratio of thermoelectric couple in direction of circumference of ATEG

Fig.6 Effect of length ratio and angle ratio in direction of circumference of thermoelectric legs on output power of ATEG

Fig.7 Effect of length ratio and angle ratio in direction of circumference of thermoelectric legs on energy conversion efficiency of ATEG


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