Performance characteristics of a multi-element thermoelectric generator with radiative heat transfer law

A finite-time thermodynamic model of multi-element thermoelectric generator with radiative heat transfer lawQ alpha Delta(T-4) is built by combining finite-time thermodynamics with non-equilibrium thermodynamics. The characteristics of the power output and efficiency versus working electrical current are analysed. The effects of total number of thermoelectric elements and generator heat source temperature on the power output and efficiency are investigated. The results show that for the fixed total number of thermoelectric elements, there are two optimal working electrical currents corresponding to the maximum power output and the maximum efficiency, respectively. The optimal electrical currents decrease with the increase in the number of thermoelectric elements while increase with the increase in the generator heat source temperature. Higher generator heat source temperature can improve the power output more effectively than the efficiency.