Optimization of Power and Efficiency in a segmented legs STEG using the Taguchi method

Abstract

In the recent times, many researchers have concentrated on the development of thermoelectric materials with higher values of figure of merits to enhance the conversion efficiency. It have been observed in some of the previous studies that the figure of merit and hence, the performance of thermoelectric modules can be enhanced using the module with segmented legs of two or more thermoelectric materials. In this study, the application of segmented thermoelectric modules in a solar assisted thermoelectric generator have been presented. PbTe and BiTe alloys are used in the segmented module. Except the figure of merit, the performance of thermoelectric generator is also dependent on temperatures across modules, load resistance and various design parameters such as leg geometries, cross sectional area of legs etc. So, Taguchi method of optimization was employed using five factors and five levels design to optimize the power and conversion efficiency. The power and efficiencies are mathematically calculated at different combinations according to L25 orthogonal array. The maximum power output is predicted up to 31.52 W and conversion efficiency up to 14.61% using The Taguchi analysis. Analysis of Variance method is also used to analyze general linear model which results into the estimation of contribution percentages of each factor on the power and efficiency.