Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
analytical model, heat transfer, thermoelectric device, waste heat recovery
College
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
A considerable amount of energy that is produced in a typical power generation process is rejected to the environment as low-grade waste heat. This heat is rejected at a temperature that is difficult to efficiently convert into electricity. One promising method of recovering this waste heat is through the use of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) that operate by means of the Seebeck effect. Effort has previously been placed in predicting the power output of TEGs. With knowledge of the temperature differential across a thermoelectric device and the properties of the electrical components the device is connected to, the electrical power output can be predicted. However, the complex geometry of the internal components of the thermoelectric device makes the heat transfer difficult to model analytically. As a result, the power output is difficult to predict without experimentally testing the system for each individual application.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Zachary and Jones, Dr. Matthew
(2014)
"An Analytical Model for Heat Transfer through a Thermoelectric Device Used in Waste Heat Recovery,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 111.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/111