IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i10p4082-d1146510.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Evaluation of Efficiency for Miniscale Thermoelectric Converter under the Influence of Electrical and Thermal Resistance of Contacts

Author

Listed:
  • Lyudmyla Vikhor

    (Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 58029 Chernivtsi, Ukraine)

  • Maxim Kotsur

    (Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 58029 Chernivtsi, Ukraine
    Institute of Applied-Physics and Computer Sciences, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University, 58012 Chernivtsi, Ukraine)

Abstract

Mass-produced thermoelectric modules are mainly fabricated with Bi 2 Te 3 -based materials. Due to the limited world reserves and the high price of tellurium, it must be saved. The miniaturization of thermoelectric converters is one of the modern trends to diminish the use of tellurium, reduce the cost of modules and expand the range of their applications. The main disadvantage of miniature thermoelectric converters operating in cooling or generating modes is their low energy efficiency, caused by the effect of electrical and thermal resistances of contacts, interconnectors and insulating plates. We propose an improved method for evaluating the maximum efficiency that takes into consideration the impact of these unwanted resistances. This method can also be used to design the modules with the optimal structure for cooling and energy generation, and not only to study their performance. The effect of undesirable electrical and thermal resistances on the maximum efficiency of cooling and generating converters made of Bi 2 Te 3 -based materials is analyzed. It is shown that the efficiency of miniature modules can be significantly improved if these resistances are reduced to their rational values. The decrease in electrical contact resistance is the predominant factor. The rational values to which it is advisable to decrease the electrical contact resistance have been determined. In the development of miniscale module technology, it is necessary to focus on such rational contact resistance values.

Suggested Citation

  • Lyudmyla Vikhor & Maxim Kotsur, 2023. "Evaluation of Efficiency for Miniscale Thermoelectric Converter under the Influence of Electrical and Thermal Resistance of Contacts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-22, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4082-:d:1146510
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/10/4082/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/10/4082/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Meng, Fankai & Chen, Lingen & Sun, Fengrui, 2011. "A numerical model and comparative investigation of a thermoelectric generator with multi-irreversibilities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 3513-3522.
    2. Wang, Xuejian & Qi, Ji & Deng, Wei & Li, Gongping & Gao, Xudong & He, Luanxuan & Zhang, Shixu, 2021. "An optimized design approach concerning thermoelectric generators with frustum-shaped legs based on three-dimensional multiphysics model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    3. Gou, Xiaolong & Xiao, Heng & Yang, Suwen, 2010. "Modeling, experimental study and optimization on low-temperature waste heat thermoelectric generator system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(10), pages 3131-3136, October.
    4. Wang, Xiao-Dong & Huang, Yu-Xian & Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Ta-Wei Lin, David & Kang, Chung-Hao, 2012. "A three-dimensional numerical modeling of thermoelectric device with consideration of coupling of temperature field and electric potential field," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 488-497.
    5. Shen, Zu-Guo & Wu, Shuang-Ying & Xiao, Lan & Yin, Gang, 2016. "Theoretical modeling of thermoelectric generator with particular emphasis on the effect of side surface heat transfer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 367-379.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liu, Zhichun & Zhu, Shiping & Ge, Ya & Shan, Feng & Zeng, Lingping & Liu, Wei, 2017. "Geometry optimization of two-stage thermoelectric generators using simplified conjugate-gradient method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 540-552.
    2. Weng, Zebin & Liu, Furong & Zhu, Wenchao & Li, Yang & Xie, Changjun & Deng, Jian & Huang, Liang, 2022. "Performance improvement of variable-angle annular thermoelectric generators considering different boundary conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    3. He, Zhi-Zhu, 2020. "A coupled electrical-thermal impedance matching model for design optimization of thermoelectric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Sahin, Ahmet Z. & Yilbas, Bekir S., 2013. "Thermodynamic irreversibility and performance characteristics of thermoelectric power generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 899-904.
    5. Martínez, A. & Astrain, D. & Rodríguez, A., 2013. "Dynamic model for simulation of thermoelectric self cooling applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 1114-1126.
    6. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Wang, Chien-Chang & Hung, Chen-I. & Yang, Chang-Chung & Juang, Rei-Cheng, 2014. "Modeling and simulation for the design of thermal-concentrated solar thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 287-297.
    7. Barry, Matthew & Ying, Justin & Durka, Michael J. & Clifford, Corey E. & Reddy, B.V.K. & Chyu, Minking K., 2016. "Numerical solution of radiation view factors within a thermoelectric device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 427-435.
    8. Gou, Xiaolong & Ping, Huifeng & Ou, Qiang & Xiao, Heng & Qing, Shaowei, 2015. "A novel thermoelectric generation system with thermal switch," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 843-852.
    9. Massaguer, E. & Massaguer, A. & Montoro, L. & Gonzalez, J.R., 2014. "Development and validation of a new TRNSYS type for the simulation of thermoelectric generators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 65-74.
    10. Zhu, Yuxiao & Newbrook, Daniel W. & Dai, Peng & de Groot, C.H. Kees & Huang, Ruomeng, 2022. "Artificial neural network enabled accurate geometrical design and optimisation of thermoelectric generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    11. Jinlong Chen & Kewen Li & Changwei Liu & Mao Li & Youchang Lv & Lin Jia & Shanshan Jiang, 2017. "Enhanced Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generator by Optimizing Mechanical and Electrical Structures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    12. Lan, Yuncheng & Lu, Junhui & Li, Junming & Wang, Suilin, 2022. "Effects of temperature-dependent thermal properties and the side leg heat dissipation on the performance of the thermoelectric generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    13. He, Wei & Wang, Shixue & Zhang, Xing & Li, Yanzhe & Lu, Chi, 2015. "Optimization design method of thermoelectric generator based on exhaust gas parameters for recovery of engine waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 1-9.
    14. Huang, Yu-Xian & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Lin, David Ta-Wei, 2013. "Geometry optimization of thermoelectric coolers using simplified conjugate-gradient method," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 689-697.
    15. Meng, Jing-Hui & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Zhang, Xin-Xin, 2013. "Transient modeling and dynamic characteristics of thermoelectric cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 340-348.
    16. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Lin, Yi-Xian & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Lin, Yu-Li, 2019. "A comprehensive analysis of the performance of thermoelectric generators with constant and variable properties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 11-24.
    17. Hao, Junhong & Qiu, Huachen & Ren, Jianxun & Ge, Zhihua & Chen, Qun & Du, Xiaoze, 2020. "Multi-parameters analysis and optimization of a typical thermoelectric cooler based on the dimensional analysis and experimental validation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    18. Motiei, P. & Yaghoubi, M. & GoshtashbiRad, E. & Vadiee, A., 2018. "Two-dimensional unsteady state performance analysis of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 551-565.
    19. Gou, Xiaolong & Yang, Suwen & Xiao, Heng & Ou, Qiang, 2013. "A dynamic model for thermoelectric generator applied in waste heat recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 201-209.
    20. Chen, Wei-Hsin & Huang, Shih-Rong & Lin, Yu-Li, 2015. "Performance analysis and optimum operation of a thermoelectric generator by Taguchi method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 44-54.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4082-:d:1146510. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.