Experimental study of thermoelectric generators

Abstract

Thermoelectric generator is solid-state device which convert temperature difference, AT into electrical energy based on Seebeck effect phenomenon. The device has been widely used in self-powered system applications. This paper focuses on presentation of methodology for characterizing thermoelectric generators. The measurement of its behavior is performed by varying load resistances. A standard module of thermoelectric generator (TECI-12710) is used in examination and an instrument setup consists of controllable heat source, controllable cooler, personal computer, data logger MCC DAQ USB-1208LS equipped with two sets of K-type thermocouples. The experiment is performed by measuring output voltage and output current in 4 values of temperature gradient by applying 10 values of resistive loads connected to the thermoelectric output wires. The common parameters studied in this research are output voltage, current and power. Generally, the relationship between parameters agrees with the basic theory and the procedure can be adopted for characterizing other type of thermoelectric generator.