Dear all, is there a theoretical maximum efficiency of a Seebeck element? How can I calculate it? Thank you very much in advance for your help!
Dear Johannes,
Using the figure of merit for obtaining its maximum value. It is proportional to the square of the Seebeck factor and the electric conductivity while it inverse proportional to the thermal conductivity (phononic plus electronic).
You may go through 'Single parabolic band (SPB)' model. Using SPB model with MatLab code, you can realize theoretical efficiency of a particular material.
N.B: There are limitations of using SPB model too.
Dear Johannes,
Admittedly your question is quite generic and the best answer might need a better description of the material/system you need to study. As Daniel pointed out, the maximum efficiency for the optimal load, is determined by the figure of merit that is calculated from the Seebeck coefficient, the electrical and thermal conductivities. A standard tool to calculate them is a ab-initio code (VASP, Quantum-Espresso) coupled with Boltztrap. But there are so many other codes that can have the same functionality (Siesta, Transiesta, Boltzwan and so on) that you can pick admittedly your preferred toolchain.
In my experience, it is difficult if not impossible to predict a value for the figure of merit before doing the calculations, since it strongly depends on how the different quantities behave around the gap. (In general, metals are bad thermoelectric materials.)
Can you substantiate your question, i.e. I wish to know weather your system is 3D or nano materials.
The system would be 3 dimensional, should be a tubular element... what do you think? thank you in advance!
Dear Anil, Dear Vignesh, could you send me an email: [email protected], I think I have to describe in more details what we are working on
best regards
Johannes
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