Abstract
The influence of electrical and thermal contact resistance on the efficiency of a segmented thermoelectric generator is investigated. We consider 12 different segmented $p$-legs and 12 different segmented $n$-legs, using 8 different $p$-type and 8 different $n$-type thermoelectric materials. For all systems a universal influence of both the electrical and thermal contact resistance is observed on the leg's efficiency, when the systems are analyzed in terms of the contribution of the contact resistance to the total resistance of the leg. The results are compared with the analytical model of Min and Rowe (1992). In order for the efficiency not to decrease more than 20%, the contact electrical resistance should be less than 30% of the total leg resistance for zero thermal contact resistance, while the thermal contact resistance should be less than 20% for zero electrical contact resistance. The universal behavior also allowed the maximum tolerable contact resistance for a segmented system to be found, i.e. the resistance at which a leg of only the high temperature thermoelectric material has the same efficiency as the segmented leg with a contact resistance at the interface. If e.g. segmentation increases the efficiency by 30% then an electrical contact resistance of 30% or a thermal contact resistance of 20% can be tolerated.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.