Efficiency Study of a Commercial Thermoelectric Power Generator (TEG) Under Thermal Cycling

摘要: Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) make use of the Seebeck effect in semiconductors for direct conversion heat to electrical energy. The possible a device consisting numerous TEG modules waste recovery from an internal combustion (IC) engine could considerably help worldwide efforts towards energy saving. However, commercially available TEGs operate at temperatures much lower than actual operating temperature range exhaust pipe automobile, which cause structural failure thermoelectric elements. Furthermore, continuous thermal cycling lead reduced efficiency and lifetime TEG. In this work we investigate long-term performance stability under power cycling. module was subjected sequential hot-side heating (at 200°C) cooling long times (3000 h) order measure changes TEG’s performance. A reduction coefficient increase resistivity were observed. Alternating-current (AC) impedance measurements scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations performed on module, results are presented discussed.