High Efficiency Thermoelectric Generator: Integration
Abstract
The program intent was to demonstrate a progression over time in both the emergence of TE materials with improving performance and the state of the art in TE generator (TEG) design, also reflected in increasing performance. This progressive demonstration was to be achieved by building and operating two TEs in sequence, with each incorporating state of the art TE materials at the time of each build. A first TEG was designed and built with the following characteristics. The measured open circuit voltage of 8V at 600 deg C of the TEG matches well with the design target for the three segmented p-n couple used in this design. The peak power output at 600 deg C is 9.8W, which is slightly less than the projected power output of 11.5W based on the couple level testing derived from data shown in Figure 2. The most probable reason for this discrepancy is the higher internal resistance of the fabricated generator made from 32 couples compared to the resistance of individual couples. Maximum observed efficiency of this prototype generator at 600 deg C is 9.8W output/110W input = 8.9% versus the target of 14% at 700 deg C, temperature limited by cartridge heater capacity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA538107
Entities
People
- Lon E. Bell
- Ramesh Koripella
- Robert T. Collins