Unique Temperature Distribution and Explicit Efficiency Formula for One-Dimensional Thermoelectric Generators under Constant Seebeck Coefficients

TL;DR

This paper derives a unique temperature distribution and an explicit efficiency formula for one-dimensional thermoelectric generators with constant Seebeck coefficients, enhancing understanding of their energy conversion performance.

Contribution

It establishes the uniqueness of the temperature distribution solution and provides an explicit efficiency formula under specific assumptions, advancing thermoelectric generator analysis.

Findings

Unique solution for temperature distribution under load resistance ratio

Explicit efficiency formula in terms of material properties

Multiple solutions possible when fixing external load resistance

Abstract

A thermoelectric generator converts a temperature difference into electrical energy. Its energy conversion efficiency is determined by the steady-state temperature distribution inside the generator. By assuming the thermoelectric material in the generator has a temperature-independent Seebeck coefficient and the generator is one-dimensional, we show that the second-order integro-differential equation describing the inside temperature distribution has a unique solution for any given ratio of external load resistance to the internal resistance. Hence the efficiency is well defined. Furthermore, we show the efficiency has an explicit formula in terms of the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of the thermoelectric material. On the other hand, if we impose an external load resistance value, not the ratio, then the integro-differential equation can have multiple solutions.