Test bench for measuring the electrical properties of commercial thermoelectric modules

One of the most promising applications of thermoelectricity is the recovery of waste heat for the production of electrical energy. Nowadays, several thermoelectric companies manufacture commercial thermoelectric modules (TEMs) based on Bi₂Te₃ compounds specially designed to perform as Seebeck modules.. This paper describes a test bench (geometry, materials, measuring equipment) to analyse the behaviour of this type of modules working under several temperature differences (ΔTs). This allows to estimate the potential electric power generated in an application where the optimum AT cannot be achieved because the amount of heat supplied by the heat source is too small, or there is a limitation in the heat dissipation capacity at the cold side. The paper also shows the results obtained using two commercial modules tested under different working conditions. Plots of voltage, electrical power generated, and efficiency versus electric current generated are also included.