Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

An Introduction to System-Level, Steady-State and Transient Modeling and Optimization of High-Power-Density Thermoelectric Generator Devices Made of Segmented Thermoelectric Elements

  • Published:
Journal of Electronic Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High-power-density, segmented, thermoelectric (TE) elements have been intimately integrated into heat exchangers, eliminating many of the loss mechanisms of conventional TE assemblies, including the ceramic electrical isolation layer. Numerical models comprising simultaneously solved, nonlinear, energy balance equations have been created to simulate these novel architectures. Both steady-state and transient models have been created in a MATLAB/Simulink environment. The models predict data from experiments in various configurations and applications over a broad range of temperature, flow, and current conditions for power produced, efficiency, and a variety of other important outputs. Using the validated models, devices and systems are optimized using advanced multiparameter optimization techniques. Devices optimized for particular steady-state operating conditions can then be dynamically simulated in a transient operating model. The transient model can simulate a variety of operating conditions including automotive and truck drive cycles.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A :

Area (m2)

C p :

Specific heat (J/kg K)

h :

Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 K)

I :

Electrical current (A)

K :

Thermal conductance (W/K)

m :

Mass (kg)

Q :

Heat flow (W)

R :

Electrical resistance (Ω)

t :

Time (s)

T :

Temperature (K)

u :

Reduced current density

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 K)

1, 2, 3:

Location on the TEG/control volume in the direction of flow

c:

Cold

cen:

Center of

ch:

Channel

conn:

Connector

cross:

Cross-sectional

f:

Fluid

h:

Hot

int:

Interfacial

load:

Load

nat:

Natural convection

s:

Surface

TE:

Thermoelectric

α :

Seebeck coefficient

Δ, d:

Change in

∞:

Ambient

References

  1. D. Ebling, M. Jaegle, M. Bartel, A. Jacquot, and H. Bottner, J. Electron. Mater. 38, 1456 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. P.G. Lau and R.J. Buist, Calculation of Thermoelectric Power Generation Performance Using Finite Element Analysis. In 16th International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Dresden, Germany: IEEE, 1997).

  3. E.E. Antonova and D.C. Looman, Finite Elements for Thermoelectric Device Analysis in ANSYS. In International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Clemson, SC: IEEE, 2005).

  4. M. Chen, I. Bach, L.A. Rosendahl, T. Condra, and J.K. Pedersen, Multi-physics Simulation of Thermoelectric Generators Through Numerically Modeling. In International Conference on Thermoelectrics (JeJu Island, South Korea: IEEE, 2007).

  5. M. Chen, L.A. Rosendahl, I. Bach, T. Condra, and J.K. Pedersen, Transient Behavior Study of Thermoelectric Generators through an Electro-thermal Model Using SPICE. In International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Vienna, Austria: IEEE, 2006).

  6. D. Mitrani, J. Salazar, A. Turo, M.J. Garcia, and J.A. Chavez, Microelectron. J. 40, 1398 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. T.J. Hendricks and J.A. Lustbader, Advanced Thermoelectric Power System Investigations for Light-Duty and Heavy Duty Applications: Part I. In 21st International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Long Beach, CA: IEEE, 2002).

  8. T.J. Hendricks and J.A. Lustbader, Advanced Thermoelectric Power System Investigations for Light-Duty and Heavy Duty Applications: Part II. In 21st International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Long Beach, CA: IEEE, 2002).

  9. H.H. Saber and M.S. El-Genk, Optimization of Segmented Thermoelectric for Maximizing Conversion Efficiency and Electric Power Density. In 21st International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Long Beach, CA: IEEE, 2002).

  10. T.J. Hendricks, J. Energy Resour.-ASME 129, 223 (2007).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. T.J. Hendricks and N.K. Karri, Design Impacts of Stochastically-Varying Input Parameters on Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems. In International Conference on Thermoelectrics (JeJu Island, South Korea: IEEE, 2007).

  12. T.J. Hendricks and N.K. Karri, Probabilistic Design and Analysis for Robust Design of Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems. In Energy Sustainability Conference (Long Beach, CA: ASME, 2007).

  13. D.T. Crane, Optimizing Thermoelectric Waste Heat Recovery from an Automotive Cooling System (College Park, MD: University of Maryland, 2003).

    Google Scholar 

  14. D.T. Crane and G.S. Jackson, Energy Convers. Manag. 45, 1565 (2004).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. D.T. Crane, Modeling High-Power Density Thermoelectric Assemblies Which Use Thermal Isolation. In 23rd International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Adelaide, AU, 2004).

  16. D.T. Crane, D. Kossakovski, and L.E. Bell, J. Electron. Mater. 38, 1382 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. D.T. Crane and L.E. Bell, Progress Towards Maximizing the Performance of a Thermoelectric Power Generator. In 25th International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Vienna, Austria: IEEE, 2006).

  18. D.T. Crane, J.W. LaGrandeur, and L.E. Bell, Progress Report on BSST Led, US DOE Automotive Waste Heat Recovery Program. In International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Freiburg, Germany, 2009).

  19. D.T. Crane, J.W. LaGrandeur, F. Harris, and L.E. Bell, J. Electron. Mater. 38, 1375 (2009).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. D.T. Crane and L.E. Bell, J. Energy Resour.-ASME 131, 12401 (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. L.E. Bell, High Power Density Thermoelectric Systems. In 23rd International Conference on Thermoelectrics (Adelaide, AU, 2004).

  22. L.E. Bell and D.T. Crane, Vehicle Waste Heat Recovery System Design and Characterization. In International Thermoelectric Conference (Freiburg, Germany, 2009).

  23. G.J. Snyder, Thermoelectrics Handbook Macro to Nano, ed. D.M. Rowe (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2006), pp. 9-1–9-26.

  24. G.S. Nolas, J. Sharp, and H.J. Goldsmid, Thermoelectrics—Basic Principles and New Materials Developments (Berlin: Springer, 2001).

    Google Scholar 

  25. W.M. Rohsenow, J.P. Hartnett, and Y.I. Cho, eds., Handbook of Heat Transfer, 3rd ed. (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1998).

    Google Scholar 

  26. F. Faulkner, COLDPLT.exe (Hobe Sound, FL: Thermodynamics Analysis Service, 1999).

  27. S.W. Angrist, Direct Energy Conversion, 4th ed. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BSST, LLC, 5462 Irwindale Avenue, Irwindale, CA, 91706-2058, USA

    D. T. Crane

Authors
  1. D. T. Crane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. T. Crane.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Crane, D.T. An Introduction to System-Level, Steady-State and Transient Modeling and Optimization of High-Power-Density Thermoelectric Generator Devices Made of Segmented Thermoelectric Elements. J. Electron. Mater. 40, 561–569 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-010-1451-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-010-1451-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation