Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Design and Power Generation Characteristics Analysis of a Self-adaptive Thermoelectric Power Generation System Based on LTspice

  • Research Article-Electrical Engineering
  • Published:
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Thermoelectric power generation (TPG) is a novel method where carriers within a conductor migrate from the hot end to the cold end, generating a potential difference under a temperature gradient. Due to hysteresis, this potential difference fluctuates periodically with environmental temperature changes. Therefore, implementing a self-adaptive module during operation is crucial to enhance output voltage stability. Using LTspice, we simulated a TPG system, incorporating a boost module for a DC/DC boost circuit and a self-adaptive module with a logic-level controlled current electronic switch. Analysis results demonstrated nonlinear power generation growth with increasing temperature differences. Conversely, power generation decreased with rising internal resistance R0, thermal resistance Rq, and heat capacity Cq of the entire system. Notably, changes in R0 and Cq values had a more pronounced impact compared to Rq values. Under constant thermoelectric electromotive force conditions, a 1.5× growth in R0 led to a corresponding 1.5× power growth, while a 1.5× growth in Rq resulted in a 1.06× power growth. Furthermore, a 1.5× growth in Cq under the same Tcold value caused greater heat loss, subsequently reducing power output. After constructing the self-adaptive module, the TPG system effectively rectified and stabilized the floating potential difference within the voltage drop range of the field-effect transistor conduction tube, optimizing output to 50 from 600 ms. The self-adaptive TPG system designed in this research exhibits practical significance and potential applications in precision measurement instruments.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Tan, G.; Ohta, M.; Kanatzidis, M.G.: Thermoelectric power generation: from new materials to devices. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A 377(2152), 20180450 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Liu, W.; Jie, Q.; Kim, H.S., et al.: Current progress and future challenges in thermoelectric power generation: from materials to devices. Acta Mater. 87, 357–376 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Dughaish, Z.H.: Lead telluride as a thermoelectric material for thermoelectric power generation. Phys. B 322(1–2), 205–223 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Fleurial, J.P.: Thermoelectric power generation materials: technology and application opportunities. JOM 61(4), 79–85 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Spanner, D.C.: The Peltier effect and its use in the measurement of suction pressure. J. Exp. Bot. 2, 145–168 (1951)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, M.; Rosendahl, L.A.; Bach, I., et al.: Transient behavior study of thermoelectric generators through an electro-thermal model using SPICE. In: 2006 25th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, pp. 214–219. IEEE (2006)

  7. Qian, W.; Peng, F.Z.; Han, S.: The faulty module bypass for thermoelectric generation. In: 2010 twenty-fifth annual IEEE applied power electronics conference and exposition (APEC), pp. 2288–2293. IEEE (2010)

  8. Kamaludin, T.M.; Syahrani, S.A.; Syamsu, W.D.: Experimental study of cascaded thermoelectric generators with differences in focal length using LED lights energy radiation. IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng. 909(1), 012023 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ismail, B.I.; Ahmed, W.H.: Thermoelectric power generation using waste-heat energy as an alternative green technology. Recent Pat. Electr. Electron. Eng. 2(1), 27–39 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Maneewan, S.; Khedari, J.; Zeghmati, B., et al.: Investigation on generated power of thermoelectric roof solar collector. Renew. Energy 29(5), 743–752 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Thacher, E.F.; Helenbrook, B.T.; Karri, M.A., et al.: Testing of an automobile exhaust thermoelectric generator in a light truck. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part D J. Automob. Eng. 221(1), 95–107 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Mei, X.; Cui, R.Y.; Zheng, Y.H., et al.: Research on deep-sea hydrothermal thermoelectric power generation system. Sci. Technol. Innov. 36, 153–155 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Qu, J.; Li, M.D.; Yue, W., et al.: Performance optimization for a semiconductor thermoelectric generator. Cryog. Eng. 02, 20–23 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jia, L.; Chen, Z.S.; Hu, W., et al.: Thermodynamic analysis of semiconductor thermoelectric generator. J. Univ. Sci. Technol. China 06, 41–44+95 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Li, Y.: Research and Implementation of Small-Scale Thermoelectric Power Generation System. Beijing Institute of Technology (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Yang, P.: Research of Thermal-stress and Fatigue-Life of Segmented Thermoelectric Generator. Yanshan University (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Chavez, J.A.; Ortega, J.A.; Salazar, J.; et al.: SPICE model of thermoelectric elements including thermal effects. In: Proceedings of the 17th IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference [Cat. No. 00CH37066], vol. 2, pp. 1019–1023. IEEE (2000)

  18. Moumouni, Y.; Baker, R.J.: Improved SPICE modeling and analysis of a thermoelectric module. In: 2015 IEEE 58th International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems (MWSCAS), pp. 1–4. IEEE (2015)

  19. Tan, H.; Chen, T.T.; Niu, S.X., et al.: Measurement and analysis of the seebeck coefficient of lutetium doped bismuth telluride based thermoelectric materials. Heilongjiang Sci. Technol. Inf. 14, 108 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Jiang, P.C.: Thermal Stability of Bi2Te3-Based Bulks and Devices for Thermoelectric Power Generation. Wuhan University of Science and Technology (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lineykin, S.B.; Ben-Yaakov, S.: Pspice-compatible equivalent circuit of thermoelectric cooler. In: 2005 IEEE 36th Power Electronics Specialists Conference, pp. 608–612. IEEE (2005).

  22. He, Z.: Analysis and Design of Semiconductor Thermoelectric Power Generation System. LiaoNing Petrochemical University (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wang, J.J.: Research on Output Characteristics of Semiconductor Thermoelectric Generator. Taiyuan University of Technology (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lin, T.: The Characterization of Semiconductor Thermoelectric Generator. Guangdong University of Technology (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kubov, V.I.; Dymytrov, Y.Y.; Kubova, R.M.: LTspice-Model of Thermoelectric Peltier-Seebeck Element. In: 2016 IEEE 36th International Conference on Electronics and Nanotechnology (ELNANO), pp. 47–51. IEEE (2016)

  26. Afghan, S.A.; Géza, H.: Modelling and analysis of energy harvesting in internet of things (IoT): characterization of a thermal energy harvesting circuit for IOT based applications with LTC3108. Energies 12(20), 3873 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Long, L.: Use DC-DC buck/boost regulator to adjust voltage. Electron World 411(21), 54–55 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Bi, C.: Study on Performance of MPPT Regulator for Generating Electric Power with Differential Exhaust Temperature of Automobile. Zhejiang University of Science and Technology (2019)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52105209), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2023M730023).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an, 710065, People’s Republic of China

    Qiqi Yan, Jiarui Cheng, Meng Li & Wenlan Wei

Authors
  1. Qiqi Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiarui Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Meng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wenlan Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiarui Cheng.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yan, Q., Cheng, J., Li, M. et al. Design and Power Generation Characteristics Analysis of a Self-adaptive Thermoelectric Power Generation System Based on LTspice. Arab J Sci Eng 49, 6361–6373 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-08231-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-023-08231-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation