Time-dependent finite-difference model for transient and steady-state analysis of thermoelectric bulk materials

Abstract

A mathematical model of coupled thermoelectricity is presented to investigate the transient and steady-state behaviour of thermoelectric bulk material. Governing partial differential equations (PDEs) for the coupled thermal and electrical behaviour of the thermoelectric model are discretised using the explicit finite-difference method. Differencing schemes like Upwind and Lax–Wendroff methods are employed to obtain solutions for the first-order hyperbolic PDEs, whereas FTCS (Forward Time, Centred Space) scheme is employed to solve second-order parabolic PDEs. Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy and Von Neumann stability analyses are done to ensure the stability and convergence of the model. The model considers the temperature dependency of thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of the P/N materials separately. and accounts for the Seebeck, Peltier, and Joule-Thomson effects in thermoelectric materials. The new model is practically useful to predict the transient and steady-state behaviours of a thermoelectric device with multiple P-N elements. The results of the presented finite-difference model are proven to agree well with experimental values as well as 3D simulations with ANSYS®.