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Analyses and Applications of Thermoelectric Modules: Electrically Parallel and Serial Structures

Wu, Guangxi
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2607-7068
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1459535553

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, EECS - Electrical Engineering.
Conventional thermoelectric modules (TEMs) are composed of n-type and p-type thermoelectric (TE) legs connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel. The development of TE technology based on the traditional TEM structure has been limited by its low efficiency and high cost. Most of ongoing research nowadays focuses on developing new TE materials that have higher intrinsic efficiency. This research analyzes the TE problem from an electrical engineering angle. The conventional electrically serial structure considers TE legs as voltage power sources. In contrast, this research takes advantage of TE legs as current power sources, leading to an alternative TEM structure, where all TE legs are made from single type of TE material and connected in parallel both electrically and thermally. Experimental, analytical and numerical analysis have been carried out to evaluate the performance of unit modules with the newly proposed electrically parallel structure. It indicates that the modules’ figure-of-merit and energy conversion efficiency can be increased within a certain device area limit, the fabrication cost can be decreased, the power density and mechanical durability can be increased, while the temperature gradient is kept in the cross-plane direction. It can also increase the device lifetime, because on the one hand, there is no mismatch between the thermal expansion rate among TE legs. On the other hand, for serial structure, even a single break of the connection can lead to the failure of the device. However, for the electrically parallel structure, a small break of the junction will not affect the performance significantly. Meanwhile, the proposed electrically parallel structure can also benefit the back-end step-up DC-DC converter design. It can produce a higher output voltage (so a higher output power and efficiency) to the load, and possibly work under a slower switching frequency to decrease the switching energy loss. In addition, the electrically parallel structure can also stimulate innovative applications of TEM, because of its simplified multilayered device structure. An innovative TEG energy harvesting system from pavement structures has been implemented and has proved promising to periodically power low energy consumption sensors to monitor civil infrastructure’s health in the long-term.
Xiong Yu (Advisor)
Christian Zorman (Committee Member)
Philip Feng (Committee Member)
Hongping Zhao (Committee Member)
Chung-Chiun Liu (Committee Member)
Alp Sehirlioglu (Committee Member)
201 p.
Electrical Engineering; Energy
Thermoelectric modules, electrically parallel structure, electrically serial structure, experimental analysis, analytical analysis, numerical analysis, innovative applications, pavement structures

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wu, G. (2016). Analyses and Applications of Thermoelectric Modules: Electrically Parallel and Serial Structures [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1459535553

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wu, Guangxi. Analyses and Applications of Thermoelectric Modules: Electrically Parallel and Serial Structures. 2016. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1459535553.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wu, Guangxi. "Analyses and Applications of Thermoelectric Modules: Electrically Parallel and Serial Structures." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1459535553

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1459535553
1,794
© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.