Question

1. A thermoelectric cell has figure of merit of 0.002K−1 and an internal resistance of 100 μΩ. The average Seebeck coefficient is 200 μV/K. Heat flow meters are used to measure the flow of heat, PH , from the hot source to the cell and the flow, PC , from the cell to the cold sink. There is no other heat exchange between the cell and the environment.

   The source is at 600 K and the sink at 300 K.

   1. With no electric current flowing in the cell, what is the value of PH andPC?

   2. A current, I, is now made to circulate. This modifies PH. What currents cause PH to go to zero?

   3. What are the corresponding values of PC?

   4. Over what range of currents does the cell act as a power generator?

Answer 1

Solution: