The effect of temperature mismatch on thermoelectric generators electrically connected in series and parallel

Montecucco, A., Siviter, J. and Knox, A. (2014) The effect of temperature mismatch on thermoelectric generators electrically connected in series and parallel. Applied Energy, 123, pp. 47-54. (doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.02.030)

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Abstract

The use of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to recover useful energy from waste heat has increased rapidly in recent years with applications ranging from microwatts to kilowatts. Several thermoelectric modules can be connected in series and/or parallel (forming an array) to provide the required voltage and/or current. In most TEG systems the individual thermoelectric modules are subject to temperature mismatch due to operating conditions. Variability of the electro-thermal performance and mechanical clamping pressure of individual TEG modules are also sufficient to cause a significant mismatch. Consequently, when in operation each TEG in the array will have a different electrical operating point at which maximum energy can be extracted and problems of decreased power output arise.<p></p> This work analyses the impact of thermal imbalance on the power produced at module and system level in a TEG array. Experimental results clearly illustrate the issue and a theoretical model is presented to quantify the impact. The authors believe the experimental results presented in this paper are the first to validate a rigorous examination of the impact of mismatched operating temperatures on the power output of an array of thermoelectric generators.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Knox, Professor Andrew and Montecucco, Dr Andrea and Siviter, Dr Jonathan
Authors: Montecucco, A., Siviter, J., and Knox, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Applied Energy
Publisher:Elsevier Ltd.
ISSN:0306-2619
ISSN (Online):1872-9118
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in Applied Energy 123:47-54
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
614241Scalable Solar Thermoelectrics and Photovaltaics (SUNTRAP)Andrew KnoxEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/K022156/1ENG - ENGINEERING ELECTRONICS & NANO ENG