Analytical Model for Multi-stage Thermoelectric Generator with Series and Parallel Connection

In order to precisely represent the output performance of multi-stage thermoelectric generators, three kinds of connection modes for thermoelectric modules were proposed. Based on thermodynamics theory, semiconductor thermoelectric theory and law of energy conservation, the model was built with an elemental approach. Newton-Raphson method was introduced to simulate the model and return the results of the output performance. In addition, the load resistance, the contact effect of thermoelectric module and thermal resistance on both hot and cold ends of the module were discussed. The results showed that the proposed model is easy and robust to be solved with less computing time. And the model can be used to predict the important parameters such as the inner temperature, the output performance and the load resistance of multi-stage thermoelectric generator, which are of great significance to the design and optimization of thermoelectric generator.