Thermoelectric Cooling: The Maximum Temperature Difference and The Relation of Thermoelectric Properties with Geometric Parameters

Abstract

For the proper performance of a thermoelectric device, are needed materials with high intrinsic merit gures, this amount is a function of the thermoelectric properties of the material. However although the bulk could present good values in their thermoelectric properties, when trying to build a thermoelectric device, other aspects must be considered. A aspect that For example for cooling, an important quantity is the maximum temperature difference that can be achieved by a thermocouple. This paper shows how this amount is related to dimensional parameters of the thermocouple. Particularly is dened the transverse area ratio of the thermocouple legs, whose value more efficient is function of the thermoelectric properties ρ and k.