Load following characteristics of SiGe/GaP thermoelectric generators and their response to external heating

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Abstract
This paper discusses the load following characteristics of SiGe/GaP thermoelectric (TE) generators during both steady-state and transient changes of the external load. It also investigates the performance of TE generators as they are subjected to an external heating at their cold shoes. Results show that TE generators are load following within a narrow range of external load values and that external heating impairs their performance. The load following behavior of TE generators was found to be independent of the rate of changing the external load (steady state or ramp). For a constant hot shoe temperature, external heating of the TE generators caused their cold shoe temperature to rise and consequently increased the rate of heat rejection by radiation and decreased the electric power output. Because of the enhancement in the heat rejection by radiation during the external heating of the TE generators, a large heating rate is required for the generators to cease operation. The tolerance of TE generators to external heating can effectively be increased by initially raising the TE cold shoe temperature.

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