Based on the “thermoelectric effect”, a
thermoelectric generator (TEG) converts heat directly into electricity. Because of no moving parts, it is very silent and highly reliable.
1 The classification of TEG
According to the hot end temperature of
TEG, it can be divided into three categories: high temperature TEG (more than 700℃), medium temperature TEG (between 400 and 700℃) and low temperature TEG (under 400℃). According to the usage heat source, there are four types of TEG: 1) radio isotope TEG, which converts the decay heat of radioactive isotopesdirectly into electricity; 2) nuclear reactor TEG, which converts the heat produced by nuclear fission into electricity; 3) hydrocarbon fuel TEG, which includes natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and other gas TEG; 4) low heat TEG, which converts available low-grade thermal energy into electricity.
2 The main structure of TEG
The structure of TEG mainly include the following sections: 1) heat source; 2) thermoelectric devices (including thermo electric materials); 3) electrode, which is used for connecting two different types of thermoelectric devices; 4) thermal insulation materials; 5)
heat sinks; 6) radiation shielding and safety protection device; 7) voltage converting and power adjusting device. To measure the overall electrical performance index is the thermoelectric conversion efficiency, output power, output voltage, working lifetime, weight, volume, cost and reliability respectively.
The left characteristics of TEG will be introduced in the next article.
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