Evaluation of Efficiency for Miniscale Thermoelectric Converter under the Influence of Electrical and Thermal Resistance of Contacts

Lyudmyla Vikhor () and Maxim Kotsur
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Lyudmyla Vikhor: Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 58029 Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Maxim Kotsur: Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 58029 Chernivtsi, Ukraine

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Mass-produced thermoelectric modules are mainly fabricated with Bi 2 Te 3 -based materials. Due to the limited world reserves and the high price of tellurium, it must be saved. The miniaturization of thermoelectric converters is one of the modern trends to diminish the use of tellurium, reduce the cost of modules and expand the range of their applications. The main disadvantage of miniature thermoelectric converters operating in cooling or generating modes is their low energy efficiency, caused by the effect of electrical and thermal resistances of contacts, interconnectors and insulating plates. We propose an improved method for evaluating the maximum efficiency that takes into consideration the impact of these unwanted resistances. This method can also be used to design the modules with the optimal structure for cooling and energy generation, and not only to study their performance. The effect of undesirable electrical and thermal resistances on the maximum efficiency of cooling and generating converters made of Bi 2 Te 3 -based materials is analyzed. It is shown that the efficiency of miniature modules can be significantly improved if these resistances are reduced to their rational values. The decrease in electrical contact resistance is the predominant factor. The rational values to which it is advisable to decrease the electrical contact resistance have been determined. In the development of miniscale module technology, it is necessary to focus on such rational contact resistance values.

Keywords: miniscale thermoelectric module; miniature thermoelectric converter; thermoelectric cooler; thermoelectric generator; maximum efficiency; electrical contact resistance; thermal resistance of insulating plate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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