Optimization of Thermoelectric Generators in the Presence of Heat Losses and Fluid Flows

This paper investigates the optimization of thermoelectric generators considering heat exchangers, heat losses, and fluid flows. This paper expands on the approach used in the literature for a constant temperature difference and constant heat flux in order to consider the presence of heat losses and fluid flow as a heat source and sink. Updated thermal impedance matching criteria are developed as an optimal ratio of a heat exchanger to module …