Abstract
The effect of three main irreversibilities existing in thermoelectric devices on the performance of a thermoelectric heat pump is investigated. The coefficient of performance and the heating load of the heat pump are derived. The optimal performance of the heat pump at maximum coefficient of performance is discussed, and the rational working region of the heat pump is determined. The optimal structure of the device is also described. The results obtained here are more realistic than those derived from nonequilibrium thermodynamics.