Heat transfer surface area optimisation for a thermoelectric generator

The combination of finite time thermodynamics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics is applied to analyse and optimise the performance of a thermoelectric generator, which is composed of multi-elements. For the fixed total heat transfer surface area of two heat exchangers, the ratio of heat transfer surface area of the high temperature side heat exchanger to the total heat transfer surface area of the heat exchangers is optimised for maximising the power output and the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric generator. The effects of various parameters on the optimum performance are analysed. The results may provide guidelines for the analysis and optimisation of practical thermoelectric generators.