Transcript Project Poster

Thermoelectric Test Stand
Project Sponsor: Dr. Robert Stevens, Mechanical Engineering
P07441
Project Introduction & Background
A thermoelectric module (TE) is a device which utilizes a temperature difference across its
surface to generate electrical power. Past and present research on the thermoelectrics has
primarily focused on improving the performance of materials used in module construction. This
project is charged with constructing a test stand to fully characterize current and future
commercially available thermoelectric modules. Project P07441 is the first of two projects
launched in Winter 2006 to serve as the foundation of RIT’s thermoelectric family of projects. Its
creation stems from Dr. Robert Steven’s interest in Microscale heat transfer, the Mechanical
Engineering Department’s desire to foster internal talent in this field, and RIT’s ongoing
commitment to and support of sustainable technologies.
Project Goals
• Construct a thermoelectric test stand
capable of testing current and future TE.
• Present a manual of the test stand’s
construction
•
Develop a suitable testing procedure.
• Test 5 commercially available
thermoelectric modules
(Left to Right): Erik Herrmann, Crisson Jno-Charles, Emil SandozRosado, Clement Henry, Kevin Smith
Several concepts were drafted for
the test stand. The final concept
was based on a reference design
by Hi-Z technologies. Our test
stand improved upon their basic
setup.
Engineering Specifications
• Test stand can sustain 600°C operating
temperature
• Test stand can produce electric power
curves (IV)
• Test stand can produce sufficient flux for
current and future TEs
• Test stand can physically accommodate
current and future TEs
• Test stand operates on single phase
120V electrical power.
Custom Thermoelectric TiTAN TEG 049019L31-04B Performance Curve
ANSYS was used to estimate the linearity of
the temperature gradient along the centerline
of the heating block. With a relatively linear
temperature profile, surface temperature of the
block may be predicted.
uD
Re D 

Tthermocouple1  Tthermocouple2
T
2
 Width K copper
L
L
 L  v
hloss  f  
 D  2
Thermocouple
+/- 0.5 C
2



0.5 C
1
0.8
231.0 C
231.5 C
0.6
Voltage (V)
Q  AreaK copper
Module Current & Voltage
0.4
0.2
0
Q  W T L K 
 2



Q
T
L
K 
 W
Special thanks to Rob Kraynik, Ryan Crittenden, Steve Kosciol,
John Wellin, and Arctic Silver for donated components
-0.5
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
-0.2
Current (A)
Current & Voltage plotted for a test suite
conducted on a Melcor TE
3