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

Andrea Montecucco, Jonathan Siviter and Andrew R. Knox

Applied Energy, 2014, vol. 123, issue C, 47-54

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.

Keywords: TEG; Mismatch; Series; Parallel; Peltier; Thermal imbalance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (39)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.02.030

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