Increased thermoelectric system thermodynamic efficiency by use of convective heat transport

The thermodynamic efficiencies of thermoelectric systems are shown to increase in geometries where convective heat transport can be used to effectively reduce internal heat conduction losses within the thermoelectric elements themselves. For the case of one-dimensional, temperature-independent material properties, exact analytic solutions are given. Equations for maximum COP and cooling power are presented, as are equations for maximum COP in heating and maximum efficiency and power output for power generation. Comparisons with standard thermoelectric show efficiency gains of 20% to 50% for important cooling applications. In heating, 40% to 80% gains are shown to be attainable. Power generation benefits and efficiency gains are described. Methods of achieving convective transport are discussed briefly, as are applications to air conditioning, heating and temperature control.