Open AccessPerformance evaluation of thermoelectric generators under cyclic heating
Author(s) -
Niall P. Williams,
L Roumen,
G McCauley,
S.M. O’Shaughnessy
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2116/1/012087
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoelectric generator , temperature cycling , internal resistance , generator (circuit theory) , dimensionless quantity , cycling , thermoelectric effect , degradation (telecommunications) , figure of merit , composite material , internal heating , thermal resistance , power (physics) , thermal , optoelectronics , electrical engineering , mechanics , thermodynamics , history , physics , archaeology , battery (electricity) , engineering
The effect of thermal cycling on thermoelectric generator (TEG) performance is investigated for six nominally identical samples subjected to the same heating cycle profile. All TEGs experienced performance degradation, with maximum power outputs between 28 % and 49 % of pre-cycling values and a post-cycling decrease in the dimensionless figure of merit ZT of 21 % to 49 %. Sudden significant power reductions and subsequent internal resistance increases were observed for all samples, indicative of internal damage to the structure of the TEGs arising from material interface separation and micro-crack formation.