How Does a Thermoelectric Generator Work Using Seebeck and Peltier Effects

A thermoelectric generator uses the Seebeck and Peltier effects to convert heat into electricity. This process involves the flow of electrons from one material to another when there is a temperature difference between them.

The Seebeck effect occurs when two dissimilar metals are joined together and one end is heated, causing an electric potential difference to develop between the two metals. This effect is reversible, meaning that if the ends are reversed, the direction of the current will also reverse.

The Peltier effect is the reverse of the Seebeck effect, where an electric current is passed through a material, causing a temperature difference between two points. This effect is used in thermoelectric coolers and heaters, where it can be used to pump heat from one location to another.

The combination of the Seebeck and Peltier effects allows a thermoelectric generator to convert waste heat into electricity, making it a promising technology for power generation in various applications.

For more insights, see: Direct Current Electric Generator

A thermoelectric generator works by converting heat into electricity, and it's based on some fundamental principles that were discovered by scientists like Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson.

The Seebeck effect is the foundation of thermoelectricity, where a temperature difference between two materials causes an electric potential difference, or voltage. This voltage is proportional to the temperature difference between the materials, and it's measured in units of volts (V).

As a result of the Seebeck effect, when a current flows through a material, it can either absorb or evolve heat at the junction, depending on the direction of the current. This is known as the Peltier effect.

Thomson's work built on the discoveries of Seebeck and Peltier, and he showed that the Peltier heat or power is proportional to the junction current. He also predicted the Thomson effect, where heat power is absorbed or evolved along the length of a material rod with different temperatures at its ends.

You might like: Peltier Effect Generator

The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon discovered by German physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck in 1821. He found that a magnetic field develops around two metal-strip legs joined together by their ends, provided a temperature difference exists between the two junctions.

Seebeck's experiment involved two strips of different electrically conducting materials, which created equal but opposite electric currents in the two metal-strip legs. This results in an electric potential difference across the junctions induced by thermal differences between the materials.

The Seebeck effect is characterized by the generation of a voltage (V) across the junctions, which is related to the difference in temperature (ΔT) between the heated junction and the open junction by a proportionality factor (α) called the Seebeck coefficient. This relationship is expressed as V = αΔT.

The Seebeck coefficient (α) is dependent on the types of material at the junction, meaning that different materials will produce different voltage values for the same temperature difference.

The Peltier effect is an interesting phenomenon where a current passing through a single junction generates heat that doesn't follow the expected pattern from ohmic heating caused by electrical resistance.

In 1834, French physicist Jean-Charles-Athanase Peltier made this observation, but he failed to identify the cause of the anomaly.

Peltier noticed that the amount of heat generated varied depending on the direction of the current, but he didn't recognize the reversible nature of this thermoelectric phenomenon.

He also didn't associate his discovery with that of Seebeck, who had previously observed a similar effect.

A thermoelectric generator, also known as a TEG, is a device that converts heat into electricity using thermocouples.

It's essentially a heat engine that generates electricity from waste heat, and it's been around for over a century.

The device consists of two dissimilar metals, typically made of bismuth telluride or antimony telluride, connected at one end and attached to a heat source and a heat sink.

These metals have different electrical properties, which creates a temperature difference between them when exposed to heat.

This temperature difference generates an electric potential difference, or voltage, between the two metals.

The device can be used in a variety of applications, including space exploration and remote power generation.

The efficiency of a TEG depends on the temperature difference between the heat source and the heat sink.

A typical TEG has an efficiency of around 10-15%, which is relatively low compared to other types of power generation.

However, it's still a useful technology for generating power in situations where other options are not available.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Seebeck Generator Efficiency