COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF THERMOELECTRIC POWER AND COOLING MODULES

• Published in: Experimental techniques (Westport, Conn.) Conn.), 2011-01, Vol.35 (1), p.33-36
• Main Authors: Lertsatitthanakorn, C., Srisuwan, W., Thanachayanont, C., Vorasigha, A., Maneewan, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cooling; Electric power; Experiments; Materials Science; Modules; Techniques; Temperature; Thermodynamics; Thermoelectricity
• ISSN: 0732-8818; 1747-1567
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-1567.2009.00582.x

Lertsatitthanakorn et al compare the difference between thermoelectric power and cooling modules. Thermoelectric modules that were originally developed for cooling applications also exhibit a promising potential for electrical power generation using waste heat or free energy sources with the maximum hot side temperature not exceeding 200°C. The results reported in this paper show that a lowest cost per watt can readily be obtained using a commercially available cooling module (TEC1-12708) with a temperature difference of 134.4°C. The highest cost per watt was obtained from a commercially available power module (TEG1-1260-5.1). Thermoelectric modules with a higher temperature difference between hot and cold sides would of course produce a proportionally higher power output. Therefore, subject to the precautions and limitations described herein, the regression lines for power output presented in this paper enable the designer to both define the ultimate capacity of a thermoelectric module for use as a low-intensity power generator and define in detail the actual device required.