Simplified thermoelectric generator (TEG) with heatsinks modelling and simulation using Matlab and Simulink based-on dimensional analysis

Abstract

Energy sustainability is becoming paramount today with the focus being on renewable and alternative energy. This manuscript therefore embarks on clean alternative energy rooted in thermoelectricity with focus on thermoelectric generator (TEG). However, a TEG do practically needs heat-exchangers or heatsinks to properly and reliably work but heatsinks present another problem—thermal resistance, which affects a TEG power output and efficiency and thus, must be addressed. Consequently, we investigate a TEG with heatsinks model based-on dimensional analysis using Matlab and Simulink. Our research has three unique contributions. Firstly, we derived the analytical formulas for direct calculations of TEG dimensionless hot and cold sides temperature and by introducing and applying a new dimensionless parameter, the dimensionless temperature difference (DTs). Secondly, we simplified further the new TEG dimensionless hot and cold sides temperature analytical formulas to obtain simpler and simplest forms. Thirdly, we implemented a TEG with heatsinks Matlab/Simulink theoretical model, that employs the simplified dimensional analysis, in which a TEG with heatsinks parameters of interest can be simulated to variously determine the analytical, numerical and graphical results with various optimal options to opt for, before doing a practical design.