Characterization of a thermoelectric generator at low temperatures

For the low temperature applications of Bi2Te3 based thermoelectric power generators (TEGs), determination of low temperature material behaviors is important. In the temperature range of 100–375 K, temperature dependency of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of a Bi2Te3 based TEG are experimentally determined. Furthermore, for a constant temperature difference, the variation of maximum power output with the mean temperature is analytically examined based on the experimentally measured material properties. It is observed that 250 K seems a critical mean operating temperature for the considered Bi2Te3 module. Correlations for temperature dependency of material quantities are also given for the temperature region of 100–375 K. The results can be used for the low temperature applications of Bi2Te3 based TEGs.

► Low temperature behaviors of a Bi2Te3 based TEG are experimentally determined.
► Temperature dependent correlations are given for the range of 100–300 K.
► The variation of maximum power output with the mean temperature is examined.
► It seems that 200 K is a critical mean operating temperature for Bi2Te3 based TEGs.
► 200 K constitutes an economical limit for low temperature applications of Bi2Te3.