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Solar refrigeration using the Peltier Effect
Author(s)
Swart, J.C.
Date Issued
1996
Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cape Technikon
Abstract
In order to design a coolerbox, utilising Thermo-electric technology as a heat pump, it
was necessary to determine if this type of technology would be suitable for a coolerbox
heat pump application. A detailed TEC (Thermo Electric Cooler) sizing estimation was
done, using formulas supplied by the manufacturer, and using thermo-electric themy
formulas to calculate the absolute theoretical performance parameters for a suitable
TEe The correct heat pumping capability is important since.it is possible to obtain
TEes with different input currents, voltages and heat pumping capabilities.
Using the TEC as a heat pump, it was decided to use water cooling due to the extremely
high cost of a suitable air cooled heatsink. It should be noted that to cool the hot side of
theTEe a vel}' efficient heat exchanger should be used.
A simulator was constructed to simulate, under variable operating temperatures and
input powers, the cooling capacity of the TEC heat exchanger. The cooling
characteristics were then used to determine if the theol}' and manufacturers claims
correspond with the cooling characteristics of the coolerbox. It might be possible that
the performance of the TEC would be drastically influenced, since installation
con~itions may not be ideal when installed; and, that the manufacturers performance
claims are done when the TEC is operated under ideal conditions. This would ensure
optimum results because, should an under sized TEC be used, the result would be poor
cooling characteristics; or, if the TEC is over sized, the coolerbox would consume too
much power, resulting in an inefficient system.
was necessary to determine if this type of technology would be suitable for a coolerbox
heat pump application. A detailed TEC (Thermo Electric Cooler) sizing estimation was
done, using formulas supplied by the manufacturer, and using thermo-electric themy
formulas to calculate the absolute theoretical performance parameters for a suitable
TEe The correct heat pumping capability is important since.it is possible to obtain
TEes with different input currents, voltages and heat pumping capabilities.
Using the TEC as a heat pump, it was decided to use water cooling due to the extremely
high cost of a suitable air cooled heatsink. It should be noted that to cool the hot side of
theTEe a vel}' efficient heat exchanger should be used.
A simulator was constructed to simulate, under variable operating temperatures and
input powers, the cooling capacity of the TEC heat exchanger. The cooling
characteristics were then used to determine if the theol}' and manufacturers claims
correspond with the cooling characteristics of the coolerbox. It might be possible that
the performance of the TEC would be drastically influenced, since installation
con~itions may not be ideal when installed; and, that the manufacturers performance
claims are done when the TEC is operated under ideal conditions. This would ensure
optimum results because, should an under sized TEC be used, the result would be poor
cooling characteristics; or, if the TEC is over sized, the coolerbox would consume too
much power, resulting in an inefficient system.
Additional information
Thesis (Master Diploma (Electrical Engineering))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town,1996
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Solar refrigeration using the Peltier Effect.pdf
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