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Improving the Economic Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generators by Optimizing Heat Transfer Conditions

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Abstract

The use of low-potential energy sources is an urgent problem of our time, as more than 70% of the energy used by mankind is lost in the form of low-potential waste. A promising technology of converting such thermal energy into electricity is the thermoelectric method. The scale of use of any technology depends on its efficiency. The problem of TEG efficiency can be divided into two separate tasks—the task of creating efficient thermoelectric materials, and the task of optimizing the parameters of thermoelectric devices. In real conditions the last task plays a significant, often crucial, role. Therefore, many works are devoted to their research. The fundamental basis for solving this problem is the mathematical modeling of the thermoelectric generator circuit, which includes a heat source, a thermoelectric converter, a cooling system, and a payload. In this paper the author presents some generalized results of previous research that can benefit the developers of thermoelectric devices. The first part of the article presents the basics of the methodology used. Next, I draw attention to the possibility of better tuning of the properties of thermoelectric materials to a specific task in case of considering external conditions. The final part of the paper provides an assessment of technical and economic indicators of TEG and formulates the conditions under which this technology can ensure competitiveness in the modern energy market.

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Abbreviations

Bi :

Biot criterion

I :

Electrical current (A)

j :

Current density (A/cm2)

e :

Seebeck coefficient (V/K)

E :

Electromotive force (V)

λ :

Coefficient of thermal conductivity (W/cm_K)

σ :

Coefficient of electrical conductivity (Ωcm)−1

G o :

Specific cost ($/W)

h :

Thermocouple leg length (cm, mm)

J = jeh/λ :

Dimensionless current density

n :

The charge carrier concentration (cm−3)

s :

Thermoelectric leg cross sectional area (cm2)

To :

Determining temperature (K)

T h :

Hot junction temperature (K)

T c :

Cold junction temperature (K)

dT :

Junction temperature difference (K)

t h :

Heat carrier temperature (K)

t c :

Coolant temperature (K)

dt :

Temperature difference of heat carriers (K)

θ = T/T o :

Dimensionless temperature

ϑ=t/T o :

Dimensionless temperature of fluid

Ki=qh/λT o :

Dimensionless heat flow density

z=e 2 σ/λ :

Thermoelectric figure-of-merit (K−1)

zT o :

Dimensionless thermoelectric figure-of-merit

N :

Electrical power (W)

N o :

Specific power (W/cm2)

N x = Nh/(λsT o ) :

Dimensionless power

q :

Heat flow density (W/cm2)

Q :

Heat flow (W)

η :

Energy conversion factor/efficiency

η c = (T h –T c )/T h :

Carnot efficiency

α :

Heat transfer coefficient (W/cm2_K)

R a :

Thermal resistance (Kcm2/W)

R :

Electrical resistance (Ω)

RL :

Electrical load resistance (Ω)

m = RL/R :

Load factor

Y = y/h :

Dimensionless coordinate

LCOE:

Levelized cost of electricity ($/kWh)

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported by the US National Science Foundation under Award No. 1722127, by the US Office of Naval Research under Contract No. 68335-20-C-0534, and the Priority Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Gas Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

    Yuriy Lobunets

  2. Solid Cell Inc., Rochester, NY, USA

    Yuriy Lobunets

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Lobunets, Y. Improving the Economic Efficiency of Thermoelectric Generators by Optimizing Heat Transfer Conditions. J. Electron. Mater. 50, 2860–2869 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-021-08797-9

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