Experiment And Application Analysis For Testing Performance Parameters Of Thermoelectric Module

The testing of thermoelectric property parameters of Thermoelectric (TE) modulesare of crucial importance in actual utilization, optimizing design, fault diagnosis andstudy-related. However, testing method for TE modules is rare, instead of majority forthermoelectric material, it will affect evaluation of the actual property parameters ofthermoelectric modules and research-related.In this paper, two techniques have been developed according with foundation ofthermoelectric basic principles and Harman method, one method based on the Seebeckeffect, and the other one based on fitting experimental data. The two methods is employedin testing the property parameters and time constant of TE modules with production codeof TECI-12706and TECI-12704.It is found that the method based on the Seebeck effect is more reliable than themethod based on fitting experimental data, and has a shorter waiting time. The test methodbased on the Seebeck effect should follow the principle of using the testing values directlyin calculation to ensure the reliability of testing, and it also indicates that the discharge ofthermoelectric power generator is closely to the condition of external circuit, reducing thePeltier effect is good for improving the power-device efficiency. It is helpful of adoptingtwo lane-fitting experimental data when power is on and off to reduce the accident errorfor the method based on fitting the experimental data. Further, a new method to testing thesolid-solid interface contact thermal resistance is developed according to the method basedon fitting experimental data, the new method is more easy and accurate than previoussteady-state heat flow method.