TY - JOUR
T1 - A general model for studying effects of interface layers on thermoelectric devices performance
AU - Xuan, X.C.
AU - Ng, K.C.
AU - Yap, C.
AU - Chua, Hui
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Interface layers play important roles in thermoelectric (TE) devices. The present study employs a phenomenological model to study the effects of internal and/or external interface layers on TE devices performance. Sets of general performance formulae are derived for both TE coolers and generators. Some simplifications are presented, and familiar performance formulae are found by introducing effective or equivalent properties such as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. Moreover, temperature-entropy diagrams are built to understand the effects of interface layers on TE thermodynamic cycles. Together with the power-efficiency curves, TE devices performance can be fully comprehended. In addition, a popular example is analysed, and new results are presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - Interface layers play important roles in thermoelectric (TE) devices. The present study employs a phenomenological model to study the effects of internal and/or external interface layers on TE devices performance. Sets of general performance formulae are derived for both TE coolers and generators. Some simplifications are presented, and familiar performance formulae are found by introducing effective or equivalent properties such as electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. Moreover, temperature-entropy diagrams are built to understand the effects of interface layers on TE thermodynamic cycles. Together with the power-efficiency curves, TE devices performance can be fully comprehended. In addition, a popular example is analysed, and new results are presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
U2 - 10.1016/S0017-9310(02)00217-X
DO - 10.1016/S0017-9310(02)00217-X
M3 - Article
SN - 0017-9310
VL - 45
SP - 5159
EP - 5170
JO - International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
JF - International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
ER -