Analytical model of series semiconductor thermoelectric generators
1.School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; 2.Department of Information Engineering, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, Hunan 422000, China)
Abstract： In order to precisely represent the output performance of series thermoelectric generators, based on thermodynamics theory, semiconductor thermoelectric theory and law of energy conservation, an analytical model of series thermoelectric generators was set up by theoretical analysis and calculation. Approximate expressions of voltage, current and output power of series thermoelectric generators were deduced by the analytical model. An experimental platform was built to verify the model, and the output performance of a series circuit including two thermoelectric generators, which worked at different hot source temperature and hot sink temperature, was tested. The results show that the output power is decreased by the contact effects. The matched load is equal to the total internal resistance of series circuit only when the thermal contact resistance is ignored. The results derived from model are basically consistent with experimental results, and the model is suitable for the performance researching and designing of thermoelectric generator.
2011, Vol. 32 
