System efficiency and power: The bridge between the device and system of a thermoelectric power generator

Zhu，Kang1,2; Deng，Biao1,2; Zhang，Pengxiang1,2; Kim，Hee Seok3; Jiang，Peng4; Liu，Weishu1,2

2020-10-01

10.1039/d0ee01640c

Energy & Environmental Science   影响因子和分区

1754-5692

1754-5706

The thermoelectric efficiency formula (?max), derived by Ioffe, provides a direct connection between the material dimensionless figure of merit ZT and the maximum efficiency of transformation of heat into electricity in an ideal device with fixed terminal temperatures. However, for a thermoelectric power generator (TEG) system made for practical use, it could meet diverse temperature scopes and heat transfer conditions, making the terminal temperatures floating rather than fixed. Here, we define the optimized system efficiency and power output based on an analytical model that provides a connection between the device and the system by considering constant material properties and varying thermal circumstances. It is found that the dimensionless cold side thermal resistance fc has a larger inhibiting effect on the system performance than its hot side counterpart fh, suggesting more thermal management efforts should be placed on the cold side. Furthermore, a general system level design strategy is proposed to obtain the engineering leg length and the aspect ratio by considering the condition of external thermal resistance, output power and voltage match. As an example, a predicted 2-3 times enhancement was experimentally confirmed in a room temperature TEG device.

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program[2016ZT06G587] ; Shenzhen Sci-Tech Fund[KYTDPT20181011104007]

Chemistry ; Energy & Fuels ; Engineering ; Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary ; Energy & Fuels ; Engineering, Chemical ; Environmental Sciences

WOS:000579868500017

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY

20204709516120

Thermoelectric power ; Efficiency ; Heat transfer ; Thermal Engineering

Heat Transfer:641.2 ; Production Engineering:913.1

2-s2.0-85096304126

Scopus

1.Department of Materials Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen Guangdong,518055,China
2.Shenzhen Engineering Research Center for Novel Electronic Information Materials and Devices,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen Guangdong,518055,China
3.Department of Mechanical Engineering,University of South Alabama,Mobile,36688,United States
4.State Key Laboratory of Catalysis,Cas Center for Excellence in Nanoscience,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Dalian Liaoning,116023,China

Zhu，Kang,Deng，Biao,Zhang，Pengxiang,et al. System efficiency and power: The bridge between the device and system of a thermoelectric power generator[J]. Energy & Environmental Science,2020,13(10):3514-3526.

Zhu，Kang,Deng，Biao,Zhang，Pengxiang,Kim，Hee Seok,Jiang，Peng,&Liu，Weishu.(2020).System efficiency and power: The bridge between the device and system of a thermoelectric power generator.Energy & Environmental Science,13(10),3514-3526.

Zhu，Kang,et al."System efficiency and power: The bridge between the device and system of a thermoelectric power generator".Energy & Environmental Science 13.10(2020):3514-3526.