Computational Improvement of the Performance of a Thermoelectric Element (Generator and Cooler) Using an External Magnetic Field.

This paper proposes a technique to improve the performance of a thermoelectric element (TEE) using an external magnetic field. The influence of the external magnetic field is investigated with respect to the output electrical power and thermal efficiency of the TEE as a generator, while for the TEE as a cooler, the coefficient of performance, heat absorbed, temperature of the cold side, and current input of the TEE are also examined. From analytical and numerical investigations carried out on bismuth telluride TE material, we reveal that the presence of the magnetic field significantly improves the performance of the TEE operating as a generator below the Curie temperature. Furthermore, in the case of the TEE operating as a generator, we observe a gain of about 75 % and 81.25 % corresponding to the electrical output power and thermal efficiency, respectively, whereas in the case of a TEE cooler, its coefficient of performance is significantly improved by 94.73 % . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]