Thermodynamic analysis of a thermoelectric device

Thermoelectric devices are the possible candidates to generate direct electricity from the available thermal radiation as well as other heat sources. As compared with conventional power generating devices, they are more compact, longer-lived and environmental friendly. In the present study, the thermoelectric diode is considered and electronic as well as Carnot efficiency of the device are computed. It is found that increasing emitter temperature increases the Carnot efficiency of the device; in which case, diode power intensity and electronic efficiency reduce. The second law efficiency increases with emitter to collector temperature ratio and reduces with increasing collector temperature owing to increase in collector current flow.