Effect of heat transfer on the performance of thermoelectric generators

The power output and efficiency expressions for thermoelectric (semiconductor) generators which is composed of multi-elements are derived with considerations of heat transfer irreversibility in the heat exchangers between the generator and the heat reservoirs. Numerical examples are provided. The effects of heat transfer and the number of elements on the performance are analyzed. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.