Abstract
Thermoelectric (TE) cooling has experienced rapid advancements with the foundational understanding of TE materials. TE modules, compact and lightweight devices, have become the prevalent approach for implementing TE technologies. Accurately quantifying TE physical parameters (Seebeck coefficient α, thermal conductivity κ, and thermal resistance ρ) is challenging due to the dynamic temperature changes in operation. Furthermore, extracting lumped property parameters is crucial for designing energy systems using TE modules. Existing research has several limitations, such as lack of comparative analysis between prevalent formulae, reliance on potentially inaccurate vendor-supplied data, disregard for fundamental assumptions, and absence of empirical measurements. This study addresses these gaps by conducting TE material characterization, comparing three existing formulae using vendor datasheets, designing a laboratory test facility for model validation and refinement, and outlining a structured data extraction procedure. The study's novelty lies in multiple key contributions: (1) a detailed comparative analysis of existing formulae for extracting TE property parameter; (2) executing experimental work in a laboratory setting to validate the model and elucidate its limitations; (3) highlighting potential risks; (4) clarifying possible assumptions from both material and engineering perspectives; and (5) considering temperature differential impacts. This comprehensive approach addresses the current research gaps and provides valuable insights into the design and application of TE modules in various energy systems.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 125366 |
| Journal | International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer |
| Volume | 225 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 15 2024 |
Funding
This work was sponsored by the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Building Technologies Office under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle LLC. This research used resources at the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The authors would also like to acknowledge Tony Bouza, Technology Manager – HVAC&R, Water Heating, and Appliance, DOE Building Technologies Office. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US titgovernment retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan ( http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan ). This work was sponsored by the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Building Technologies Office under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with UT-Battelle LLC. This research used resources at the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center, a DOE Office of Science User Facility operated by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The authors would also like to acknowledge Tony Bouza, Technology Manager – HVAC&R, Water Heating, and Appliance, DOE Building Technologies Office.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Energy | |
| Office of Science | |
| Oak Ridge National Laboratory | |
| Building Technologies Office | DE-AC05-00OR22725 |
| UT-Battelle |
Keywords
- Coefficient of performance
- Heat pump
- Materials
- Seebeck coefficient
- Thermoelectric