PERFORMANCE LIMITS OF MULTISTAGE THERMOELECTRIC DEVICES
Abstract
A simplified method of calculating the performance limits of multistage thermoelectric devices is presented and the results obtained for the multistage devices are compared with those for single-stage devices. The results indicate that at present there is little advantage in using more than one stage in a thermoelectric generator. In the case of a thermoelectric refrigerator, however, a small feasible multistage device should be able to produce temperature reduction ABOUT TWICE AS GREAT AS THAT OBTAINABLE WITH A SINGLE-STAGE DEVICE. Using presently available materials, this corresponds to a maximum temperature reduction approximating 135 C for the multistage device. It is also shown that even if materials are substantially improved, it will probably never be feasible to construct a thermoelectric refrigerator that can cool to cryogenic temperatures while operating from room temperature ambient.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0261997
Entities
People
- Irving I. Sochard
Organizations
- Harry Diamond Laboratories