Guram Bokuchava

Abstract:

The stages of research, development and manufacturing of thermoelectric generators, at the Ilia Vekua Sukhumi Institute of Physics and Technology, for various applications are presented and discussed in this paper. Analytical and experimental research carried out at SIPT at the end of the 1950s revealed great prospects for manufacturing highly efficient thermoelectric generators for nuclear power plant (NPP) of terrestrial and space applications. In 1964, a thermoelectric generator was created in SIPT for the world's first NPP "Romashka". In 1965, single-cascade thermoelectric generator “BUK” and in 1969 two-cascade TEG “BUK” of the operation capacity of 2.8 kilowatts were developed and created at the Institute. From the beginning of 2000, intense work has been renewed at the Institute on the development of new high temperature thermoelectric materials and plants based on SiGe. The effect of reactor radiation on the thermoelectric characteristics of SiGe alloys and other materials was analyzed. Boron carbide of p-type and Si0,7Ge0,3 of n-type were selected for developing high temperature radiation resistant materials of thermoelectric elements. Currently new thermoelectric generators are being developed base on relatively inexpensive SiGe alloys, containing 5-10at%Ge.