Fabrication of Thermoelectric Module and Analysis of its Power Generation Characteristics

Abstract

In this study, a Bi2Te3 thermoelectric generator (TEG) was fabricated to convert unused thermal energy into useful electrical energy. For the performance test, a dedicated experiment device consisting of a heating block operating with cartridge heaters and a cooling block through which a refrigerant flows was constructed. A 3×3 array of thermocouples was mounted on the heating block and the cooling block, respectively, to derive the temperature fields and heat transfer rate onto both sides of the TEG. Experiments were conducted for a total of 9 temperature differences, obtaining V-I and P-R curves. The results of 7 variables including Seebeck coefficients that have a major effect on performance were presented as a function of the temperature difference. The feasibility of the energy recovery performance of the developed TEG was verified from the maximum power output of 7.5W and conversion efficiency of 11.3%.