Abstract
A temperature-entropy formulation is derived for thermoelectric devices. Thermoelectric chiller and generator cycles can then be cast in the same irreversible thermodynamics framework commonly applied to conventional large-scale cooling and power generation equipment, including a transparent identification of the principal energy flows and performance bottlenecks (dissipation). Distinct differences in chiller versus generator mode are highlighted and illustrated with data from commercial thermoelectric units.
- Received 30 November 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.65.056111
©2002 American Physical Society
