Electrical, thermal, and mechanical characterization of novel segmented-leg thermoelectric modules

Abstract

In this paper we report on the electrical, thermal, and mechanical characterization of segmented-leg PbTe-based thermoelectric modules. This work featured a thermoelectric module measurement system that was constructed and used to measure 47-couple segmented thermoelectric power generation modules fabricated by Tellurex Corporation using n-type Bi 2Te 3-x Se x to Ag 0.86Pb 19+x SbTe 20 legs and p-type Bi x Sb 2-x Te 3 to Ag 0.9Pb 9Sn 9Sb 0.6Te 20 legs. The modules were measured under vacuum with hot-side and cold-side temperatures of approximately 670 K and 312 K, respectively. In addition, the measurements on the PbTe-based materials are compared with measurements performed on Bi 2Te 3 reference modules. Efficiency values as high as 6.56% were measured on these modules. In addition to the measurement system description and the measurement results on these modules, infrared images of the modules that were used to help identify nonuniformities are also presented. © 2011 TMS.