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Thermoelectric oxide modules tested in a solar cavity-receiver

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2011

Petr Tomeš ,
Clemens Suter ,
Matthias Trottmann ,
Aldo Steinfeld  and
Anke Weidenkaff
Petr Tomeš
Affiliation:
Solid State Chemistry and Catalysis, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Research, CH-8600Duebendorf, Switzerland
Clemens Suter
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
Matthias Trottmann
Affiliation:
Solid State Chemistry and Catalysis, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Research, CH-8600Duebendorf, Switzerland
Aldo Steinfeld
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; and Solar Technology Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Anke Weidenkaff*
Affiliation:
Solid State Chemistry and Catalysis, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Research, CH-8600Duebendorf, Switzerland
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: anke.weidenkaff@empa.ch
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Abstract

Four-leg thermoelectric oxide modules (TOMs) consisting of two p-type (La1.98Sr0.02CuO4) and two n-type (CaMn0.98Nb0.02O3) thermoelectric (TE) legs were produced with a manufacturing quality factor between 30 and 60%. The pressed sintered TE legs revealed 90% of the theoretical density to ensure a sufficient mechanical stability of the TE modules. The legs were connected electrically in series and sandwiched thermally in parallel between two Al2O3 plates serving as absorber and cooler, respectively. A solar cavity-receiver packed with an array of TOMs was subjected to concentrated thermal radiation with peak solar radiative flux intensities exceeding 600 kW/m2. Temperature distributions in the cavity, open-circuit voltage (VOC), and maximum output power (Pmax) were measured for different external loads and solar radiative fluxes (qin). Finally, the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) was calculated.

Keywords

Energy generationOxideThermoelectric
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 26 , Issue 15: Focus Issue: Advances in Thermoelectric Materials , 14 August 2011 , pp. 1975 - 1982
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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