Thermoelectric device power generation performance testing device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a thermoelectric device electricity generating performance testing device and method; the device comprises a heat source, a hot end temperature control platform located below the heat source, a cold source, a cold end temperature control platform located above the cold source, a heat flow meter arranged between the cold end temperature control platform and the cold source, and a plurality of thermocouples; a to-be-tested thermoelectric device is arranged between the hot end temperature control platform and the cold end temperature control platform, and clamped by a pressurization platform. The testing device can ensure the thermoelectric device hot end and cold end to have excellent thermal contacts, thus quantitatively regulating the pressure applied on the tested sample, and more accurately measuring the electricity generating performance of the thermoelectric device within the normal dimension scopes under different temperatures; the testing device is compactin system structure, easy to control, and suitable for measuring low, medium and high temperature thermoelectric device under the atmosphere, vacuum and atmosphere environments.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device and method for testing the power generation performance of a thermoelectric device, belonging to the technical field of thermoelectric conversion. Background technique [0002] Thermoelectric devices can directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, and in turn convert electrical energy into thermal energy using the Peltier effect. Therefore, thermoelectric devices can be used for power generation and cooling. Such as figure 1 Shown is the ideal circuit model of the thermoelectric device when it works to generate electricity, and the temperature of the hot end electrode is T h , the cold junction electrode temperature is T c , to establish a temperature difference (ΔT=T h -T c ) The required input heat flow is Q in , part of the heat is used to generate electricity P out , the remaining heat Q out Discharged through the cold junction, its open circuit voltage V oc , internal r...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] 1) The size of the measurement sample is limited, and only samples with cross-sectional dimensions of 20×20mm and 30×30mm can be measured;

[0007] 2) During the test, as the output current increases, the temperature of the hot end drops and the temperature of the cold end rises, resulting in a gradual decrease in the voltage at the output end of the thermoelectric device, such as figure 2 As shown, the measured internal resistance is too large, and the peak power and conversion efficiency are too small;

[0009] 4) The maximum test temperature is 800°C, and the performance of high-temperature thermoelectric devices such as silicon-germanium alloy base cannot be tested above 800°C;

[0010] 5) Thermoelectric devices can only be evaluated in an inert gas environment, and the performance of thermoelectric devices in a vacuum or air environment cannot be evaluated

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