In this blog, we are going to talk about what is the thermoelectric generator and its working principle.
There are numerous names for thermoelectric generators (TEGs), including Seebeck devices, Peltier generators, and others. TEGs utilize a heat source and a cold sink to convert waste heat into usable power. Remote areas without electricity but with a heat source are perfect for using thermoelectric generators.
We will examine the thermoelectric generator in this article.
What is a Thermoelectric Generator?
It is a heat-to-electricity converter that transforms heat energy. The thermoelectric effect is the guiding principle behind thermoelectric generators. The thermoelectric effect involves the movement of electrons from one location to another based on a temperature gradient.
When there is a difference in temperature between two points, the temperature gradient is produced.
The temperature gradient between two ends can be created using the wasted heat energy that is produced by thermal power plants. In comparison to conventional generators, the thermoelectric generator’s efficiency rises as a result. The thermoelectric generators’ lack of moving parts is their best feature. As a result, losses are exponentially reduced.
Thermoelectric Generator Construction
Thermoelectric generators are solid-state heat-producing devices made of two crucial junctions: p-type and n-type. In contrast to the n-type junction, the P-type junction has a greater concentration of -ve charged elements.
The p-type components are doped in order to have more positively charged carriers or holes, which produces a positive Seebeck coefficient. Similar to this, n-type components are doped to have more negatively charged carriers, producing a negative type of Seeback coefficient.
All positively charged carriers move to the n-junction as the electrical connection between the two junctions passes, and all negatively charged carriers move to the p-junction in a similar manner. In the thermoelectric generator construction, the most implemented element is lead telluride.
It is the part that is made primarily of tellurium and lead with very little sodium or bismuth. Additionally, bismuth sulfide, tin telluride, bismuth telluride, indium arsenide, germanium telluride, and many other elements are utilized in the construction of this device. With these materials, a thermoelectric generator design can be done.
Working Principle of Thermoelectric Generator
The thermoelectric generator working principle is, it works on the concept of the thermoelectric effect the Seebeck effect states that when a temperature gradient occurs between two ends, electrons begin to flow from one end to the other end, creating a potential difference.
Thermocouple devices must be used to create the temperature gradient. Fundamentally, thermocouple devices are semiconductors with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity. This makes use of the characteristics of semiconductor devices.
In the outermost orbit, they typically have four valence electrons. Therefore, they can be either p-type or n-type. The majority of charge carriers in an n-type semiconductor are electrons. Also known as donors, the vast majority of charge carriers in p-type semiconductors are holes. The absence of electrons is another name for holes. Also known as acceptors, p-type materials.
Therefore, when p-type and n-type materials are connected correctly and a temperature gradient is produced, a potential difference is formed across two points. As a result, electrons begin to move from one end to the other. A thermoelectric generator is produced as a result. This idea produces the temperature difference that powers thermoelectric generators.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermoelectric Generators
The advantages of the thermoelectric generator are:
- As all the components used in this TEG device are solid-state, they have enhanced reliability
- The extreme range of fuel sources
- TEG devices are constructed to deliver power ranging not minimal to that of mW and greater than KW which means they have huge scalability
- These are direct energy transformation devices
- Silently operated
- Minimal size
- These can function even at extreme and zero ranges of gravitational forces
The disadvantages of thermoelectric generators are:
- These are a bit expensive when compared to other kinds of generators
- These have minimal efficiency
- Minimal thermal properties
- These devices need more output resistance
Thermoelectric Generator Applications
- The TEG device is typically used to improve the fuel efficiency of cars. These generators make use of heat that is generated at the time of vehicle operation
- For the spacecraft’s power needs, Seebeck Power Generation is used.
- Thermoelectric generators to implemented provide power for remote stations such as weather systems, relay networks, and others
Conclusion: Thermoelectric Generator
The precise concept of thermoelectric generators is all that is being discussed here. In general, generators are widely used in many applications across many domains due to their enormous prominence.
Its restricted applications are one of its main flaws. Consideration must be given to the potential uses of the thermoelectric generator’s output voltage. Naturally, this calls for more complex design and converter operations.
