Open AccessMaximum Efficiency of Thermoelectric Heat Conversion in High-Temperature Power Devices
Author(s) -
V Hvesyuk,
D Ostanko,
A Skryabin,
П. А. Цыганков,
R Chelmodeev,
A. V. Chirkov
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
nauka i obrazovanie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1994-0408
DOI - 10.7463/0316.0835477
Subject(s) - materials science , thermoelectric effect , thermoelectric generator , energy conversion efficiency , power (physics) , engineering physics , thermoelectric materials , maximum temperature , nuclear engineering , thermoelectric cooling , optoelectronics , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , composite material , engineering , thermal conductivity , physics
Modern trends in development of aircraft engineering go with development of vehicles of the fifth generation. The features of aircrafts of the fifth generation are motivation to use new high-performance systems of onboard power supply. The operating temperature of the outer walls of engines is of 800–1000 K. This corresponds to radiation heat flux of 10 kW/m2 . The thermal energy including radiation of the engine wall may potentially be converted into electricity. The main objective of this paper is to analyze if it is possible to use a high efficiency thermoelectric conversion of heat into electricity. The paper considers issues such as working processes, choice of materials, and optimization of thermoelectric conversion. It presents the analysis results of operating conditions of thermoelectric generator (TEG) used in advanced hightemperature power devices. A high-temperature heat source is a favorable factor for the thermoelectric conversion of heat. It is shown that for existing thermoelectric materials a theoretical conversion efficiency can reach the level of 15–20% at temperatures up to 1500 K and available values of Ioffe parameter being ZT = 2–3 (Z is figure of merit, T is temperature). To ensure temperature regime and high efficiency thermoelectric conversion simultaneously it is necessary to have a certain match between TEG power, temperature of hot and cold surfaces, and heat transfer coefficient of the cooling system. The paper discusses a concept of radiation absorber on the TEG hot surface. The analysis has demonstrated a number of potentialities for highly efficient conversion through using the TEG in high-temperature power devices. This work has been implemented under support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation; project No. 1145 (the programme “Organization of Research Engineering Activities”)