Renewable energy sources: New opportunities for thermoelectric generators
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The work sets out to analyse the application of new technologies in the design of thermoelectric systems, as well as to compare classical thermoelectric systems with those characterized by a spatial orientation of heat-transfer sides. New thermoelectric systems are increasingly competing with con-ventional methods of converting energy up to several hundred watts. In order to expand the application of thermoelectric systems, new design methods and solutions providing for a more efficient conversion of heat losses into useful energy should be developed. This work presents the results of a comparative analysis of a classical thermoelectric module and a thermoelectric module with a spatial orientation of the sides. It is shown that the efficiency of the latter is 36% and 43% higher than that of the former at currents of 4A and 8A, respectively. According to the findings, the efficiency of thermoelectric modules depends primarily on technical solutions in their design and engineering, rather than on the electro-physical characteristics of thermoelectric junctions. In order to increase the efficiency of thermoelectric systems, future work should be aimed at improving the design of thermoelectric modules. The applica-tion of new technologies in manufacturing thermoelectric modules allows the mutual influence of heated and cooled surfaces to be eliminated and the area of heat dissipation to be significantly expanded. The possibility of generating higher power values increases the efficiency of thermoelectric modules and expandsthe scope of their application, substituting conventional heat pumps.
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3156961540