Temperature-entropy formulation of thermoelectric thermodynamic cycles

Abstract

A temperature-entropy formulation is derived for thermoelectric devices. Thermoelectric chiller and generator cycles can then be cast in the same irreversible thermodynamics framework commonly applied to conventional large-scale cooling and power generation equipment, including a transparent identification of the principal energy flows and performance bottlenecks (dissipation). Distinct differences in chiller versus generator mode are highlighted and illustrated with data from commercial thermoelectric units.