A numerical model of multi-stage combined thermoelectric
generators is established based on non-equilibrium
thermodynamics. Taking a 5-stage thermoelectric generator for
example, the output characteristics are analyzed. With the
power and efficiency as the goal, the thermoelectric elements
configuration and electrical current are optimized
synchronously. The results show that when the temperature
difference and the Seebeck coefficient are small, same number
of thermoelectric elements in each stage results in the maximal
power output; when the temperature difference or the Seebeck
coefficient is large, the optimal configuration is that the
numbers of thermoelectric elements increase with the same
difference from the high temperature stage to the low
temperature stage.Papers presented at the 13th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Portoroz, Slovenia on 17-19 July 2017 .International centre for heat and mass transfer.American society of thermal and fluids engineers
