A real-sized three-dimensional numerical model of thermoelectric generators at a given thermal input and matched load resistance

作者：Shi Yongming; Zhu Zhixiang; Deng Yuan; Zhu Wei; Chen Xin; Zhao Yongsheng

来源：Energy Conversion and Management, 2015, 101: 713-720.

DOI：10.1016/j.enconman.2015.06.020

• Thermoelectricity
• Thermoelectric generator
• Finite element analysis
• Real-sized three-dimensional model

Thermoelectric generators are usually designed and optimized by finite element analysis. For accurate analysis, it is significant to establish a real-sized three-dimensional model of thermoelectric generator under actual application situations. In this paper, a real-sized three-dimensional finite element model of the thermoelectric generator is established and discussed. The height, cross-sectional area, and amount of thermoelectric pairs are alterable and programmable. The thermal input power is constant and the load resistance matches the internal resistance. The average temperature difference, the hot-side temperature distribution, and the output performance of the thermoelectric generator are calculated and discussed. Results indicate that changing the geometry or amount of thermoelectric pairs can influence the average temperature difference and hot-side temperature distribution simultaneously. However, changing the geometry or amount of thermoelectric pairs can only enhance the output voltage or current solely rather than simultaneously.

• 出版日期2015-9-1
• 单位国网电力科学研究院; 北京航空航天大学