An Experimental Study on the Optimal Operation Condition of an Air-Cooler using Thermoelectric Modules

열전모듈을 이용한 냉방기의 최적 운전조건에 관한 실험적 연구

  • Hwang, Jun (Graduage School, Kookmin University) ;
  • Kang, Byung-Ha (School of Mechanical and Automotive engineering, Kookmin University)
  • 황준 (국민대학교 대학원) ;
  • 강병하 (국민대학교 기계 자동차공학부)
  • Published : 2006.01.01

Abstract

This article presents the optimal operation of an air conditioner using thermoelectric modules. A prototype of air conditioner using four thermoelectric modules has been designed and built. The system performance with evaporative cooling for hot side of the module are studied in detail for several operating parameters, such as input power to the thermoelectric module, fans and pump. It is found that the optimal input voltage to the thermoelectric module and pump is selected for the best system performance based on the cooling capacity and the COP at a given operating condition. It is also found that both the cooling capacity and COP of a system is increased with an increase in the input power to fans. The cooling performance could be improved when the ambient temperature is increased and the relative humidity is decreased since the evaporative cooling at the hot side has been increased.

Keywords

References

  1. Stockholm, J. G., 1997, Current state of Peltier cooling, 26th Int. Conference of Thermoelectrics, Desden, Germany
  2. Attay, G. S., 1998, Enhanced thermoelectric refrigeration system COP through low thermal impedance liquid heat transfer system, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Thermoelectrics, pp.519-524
  3. Kang, B. H., Chang, H. J. and Kim, S. Y., 2002, Cooling characteristics at hot side of. the thermoelectric module for an air conditioner, Korean Journal of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Vol. 14. No. 3, pp. 214-220
  4. Astrain, D, Vian, J. G. and Dominguez, M., 2003, Increase of COP in the thermoelectric refrigeration by the optimization. of heat dissipation, Thermal Engineering, Vol. 23, pp. 2183-2200 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(03)00202-3
  5. Guler, N. F. and Ahiska, R., 2002, Design and testing of a microprocessor-controlled portable thermoelectric medical cooling kit, Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 22, pp. 1271-1276 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(02)00039-X
  6. Jin, J. H., Cho, J. R. and Kim, M. G. 2002, Study on the performance of showcase refrigerating chamber using thermoelectric module, Proceedings of the SAREK 2002 Winter Annual Conference, pp. 35-40