Upload
others
View
7
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF THERMOELECTRIC MODULE
NAZRI BIN MD DAUD
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF THERMOELECTRIC MODULE
NAZRI BIN MD DAUD
A report submitted in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Engineering (Mechanical)
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
NOV 2007
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Firstly, I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Mazlan Bin Abdul
Wahid as my supervisor for giving a lot of guidance, advice and support. Thank you
also to Mr. Hanafi, Mr. Syukri, Mr. Hafiz and Mr. Faizal for your assistance in
providing some apparatus for experimental works
To my fellow postgraduate students thank you for your motivation and
advices. Lastly special thanks to my beloved wife and daughters in giving such as
tremendous encouragement and efforts.
iv
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to determine the physical properties and
performance curves of the thermoelectric module. In order to do that a test rig has
been fabricated and 2 thermoelectric modules are tested which are TEC1-12705 and
CP1.4-71-06L. The voltage generated by the thermoelectric module and the
temperature difference are measured and by using some equations, physical
properties such as Seebeck coefficient α, Electrical resistance R and Thermal
conductivity Kt are obtained. These experiments data are then compared with the
manufacturer data. Performance curves are determined by testing the thermoelectric
module with 3 different heat sinks which are water cooling jacket, cooling fan with
fin and fin itself as a heat sink. Then by using some calculations, the values of P, QH
and COP are determined. Optimizations have been done to improve the performance
of thermoelectric module by studying the effect of different water flow rate in water
cooling jacket, different power supply of cooling fan and the different number of fin
and ratio between the fin area contacts to the thermoelectric module surface.
v
ABSTRAK
Tujuan kajian ini ialah untuk mencari sifat fizikal dan lengkung prestasi bagi
modul termoelektrik. Untuk itu satu kelengkapan ujian telah difabrikasi dan 2 buah
modul termoelektrik iaitu TEC1-12705 dan CP1.4-71-06L telah diuji. Voltan yang
dihasilkan oleh modul termoelektrik dan perbezaan suhu akan diukur dan dengan
menggunakan beberapa persamaan, pekali Seebeck α, Rintangan elektrik R dan
Konduktiviti terma Kt, telah diperolehi. Semua data eksperimen akan dibandingkan
dengan data daripada pihak pembuatan. Lengkung prestasi telah ditentukan dengan
melakukan ujian ke atas modul termoelektrik pada 3 pembuang haba yang berbeza
iaitu jaket air penyejuk, kipas penyejuk bersama sirip penyejuk dan pembuang haba
sirip penyejuk sahaja. Melalui pengiraan, nilai P, QH dan COP ditentukan. Prestasi
modul termoelektrik boleh diperbaiki dengan melakukan kajian terhadap kesan aliran
air dalam jaket air penyejuk, kesan perbezaan kuasa yang dibekalkan ke atas kipas
penyejuk dan bilangan sirip penyejuk dan nisbah luas sentuhan antara permukaan
sirip penyejuk dengan permukaan modul termoelektrik.
vi
LIST OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE DECLARATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iii
ABSTRACT iv
ABSTRAK v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES xi
LIST OF FIGURES xiv
LIST OF SYMBOLS xvi
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Objectives 4
1.3 Scopes 4
1.4 Problem statement 5
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Thermoelectric Laws 6
2.2 Thermoelectric module 8
2.3 Thermoelectric effects 8
2.3.1 Seebeck Effect 8
2.3.2 Peltier Effect 9
2.3.3 Thomson Effect 10
vii
2.4 Thermoelectric refrigeration 10
2.4.1 Description of a thermoelectric refrigeration 11
module
2.5 Thermoelectric generator 14
2.6 Thermoelectric cooling 16
2.7 Thermoelectric Materials 16
2.8 Figure of merit 18
2.9 Determination of physical properties of thermoelectric 18
module
3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 General Descriptions 19
3.2 Experiment 1: Determination of physical properties 20
which are Seebeck coefficient α, electric resistance R
and thermal conductivity, Kt.
3.2.1 Description of experiment 1 21
3.2.2 Experimental Procedure 21
3.3 Experiment 2a: Determination of performance curve 22
of the thermoelectric module by using water cooling jacket
in a vacuum chamber.
3.3.1 Description of experiment 2a 23
3.3.2 Experimental Procedure 24
3.4 Experiment 2b: Determination of performance curve 25
of the thermoelectric module by using cooling fan
as a heat sink.
3.4.1 Description of experiment 2b 26
3.4.2 Experimental Procedure 26
viii
3.5 Experiment 2c: Determination of performance curve 27
of the thermoelectric module by using fin as a heat sink.
3.5.1 Experimental Procedure 28
3.6 Experiment 3a: Optimization of the performance of 29
thermoelectric module by studying the effect of
different water flow rate in water cooling jacket.
3.6.1 Experimental Procedure 29
3.7 Experiment 3b: Optimization of the performance of 30
thermoelectric module by studying the effect of different
power supply for cooling fan as a heat sink.
3.7.1 Experimental Procedure 30
3.8 Experiment 3c: Optimization of the performance of 31
thermoelectric module by studying the effect of different
number of fin and ratio between the fin area contacts to
the thermoelectric module surface
3.8.1 Experimental Procedure 31
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
4.1 Result experiment 1 for thermoelectric module 32
model TEC1-12705
4.1.1 Determination of Seebeck coefficient, α 33
for TEC1-12705
4.1.2 Determination of Electrical resistance, R 34
for TEC1-12705
4.1.3 Determination of Thermal conductivity, Kt 34
for TEC1-12705
4.2 Result experiment 1 for thermoelectric module model 36
CP1.4-71-06L
4.2.1 Determination of Seebeck coefficient, α for 37
CP1.4-71-06L
ix
4.2.2 Determination of Electric resistance, R 38
for CP1.4-71-06L
4.2.3 Determination of Thermal conductivity, Kt 38
for CP1.4-71-06L
4.3 Result experiment 2a: Performance curve of TEC1-12705 40
by using water cooling jacket in a vacuum chamber
4.4 Experiment 2a: Performance curve of CP1.4-71-06L 46
by using water cooling jacket in a vacuum chamber
4.5 Comparison performance between TEC1-12705 52
and CP1.4 71-06L in experiment 2a
4.6 Result experiment 2b:Performance curve of TEC1-12705 54
by using cooling fan as a heat sink.
4.7 Experiment 2b: Performance curve of CP1.4-71-06L 60
by using cooling fan as a heat sink.
4.8 Comparison performance between TEC1-12705 66
and CP1.4 71-06L in experiment 2b
4.9 Result experiment 2c:Performance curve of TEC1-12705 68
by using fin as a heat sink.
4.10 Experiment 2c: Performance curve of CP1.4 71-06L 74
by using fin as a heat sink.
4.11 Comparison performance between TEC1-12705 and 80
CP1.4 71-06L in experiment 2c
4.12 Result experiment 3a: Optimization of the performance of 82
thermoelectric module at different water flow rate
4.13 Result experiment 3b: Optimization the performance of 84
thermoelectric module at different power supply for
cooling fan
4.14 Result experiment 3c: Optimization the performance of 86
thermoelectric module at different number of fin
and the different ratio between the fin area contacts to
the thermoelectric module surface
x
4.15 Comparison of COP for 3 different heat sinks which are 88
water cooling jacket, cooling fan and fin itself
for TE model : TEC1-12705
4.16 Discussions 90
5 CONCLUSIONS 98
REFERENCES
xi
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE NO. TITLE PAGE 1 The values of TH-TL and the voltages generated by TEC1-12705 32
2 Specifications of TEC1-12705 [21] 35
3 Percentage error between experiment data and manufacturer data 35
4 The values of TH-TL and the voltages generated by CP1.4-71-06L 36
5 Specifications of CP1.4-71-06L [22] 39
6 Percentage error between experiment data and manufacturer data 39
7 Result experiment 2a for TEC1-12705 at QL=0W 40
8 Result experiment 2a for TEC1-12705 at QL=1.5W 40
9 Result experiment 2a for TEC1-12705 at QL=2.5W 41
10 Result experiment 2a for TEC1-12705 at QL=3.5W 41
11 Result experiment 2a for TEC1-12705 at QL=4.5W 41
12 Calculated P, QH and COP : TEC1-12705 at QL=0W (Experiment 2a) 42
13 Calculated P, QH and COP : TEC1-12705 at QL=1.5W (Experiment 2a) 42
14 Calculated P, QH and COP : TEC1-12705 at QL=2.5W (Experiment 2a) 42
15 Calculated P, QH and COP : TEC1-12705 at QL=3.5W (Experiment 2a) 43
16 Calculated P, QH and COP : TEC1-12705 at QL=4.5W (Experiment 2a) 43
17 Result experiment 2a for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=0W 46
18 Result experiment 2a for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=1.5W 46
19 Result experiment 2a for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=2.5W 47
20 Result experiment 2a for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=3.5W 47
21 Result experiment 2a for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=4.5W 47
22 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 0W (Experiment 2a) 48
23 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 1.5W (Experiment 2a) 48
24 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 2.5W (Experiment 2a) 48
25 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 3.5W (Experiment 2a) 49
xii
26 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 4.5W (Experiment 2a) 49
27 Result experiment 2b for TEC1-12705 at QL=0W 54
28 Result experiment 2b for TEC1-12705 at QL=1.5W 54
29 Result experiment 2b for TEC1-12705 at QL=2.5W 55
30 Result experiment 2b for TEC1-12705 at QL=3.5W 55
31 Result experiment 2b for TEC1-12705 at QL=4.5W 55
32 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 0W (Experiment 2b) 56
33 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 1.5W (Experiment 2b) 56
34 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 2.5W (Experiment 2b) 56
35 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 3.5W (Experiment 2b) 57
36 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 4.5W (Experiment 2b) 57
37 Result experiment 2b for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=0W 60
38 Result experiment 2b for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=1.5W 60
39 Result experiment 2b for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=2.5W 60
40 Result experiment 2b for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=3.5W 61
41 Result experiment 2b for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=4.5W 61
42 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 0W (Experiment 2b) 62
43 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 1.5W (Experiment 2b) 62
44 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 2.5W (Experiment 2b) 62
45 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 3.5W (Experiment 2b) 63
46 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 4.5W (Experiment 2b) 63
47 Result experiment 2c for TEC1-12705 at QL=0W 68
48 Result experiment 2c for TEC1-12705 at QL=1.5W 68
xiii
49 Result experiment 2c for TEC1-12705 at QL=2.5W 69
50 Result experiment 2c for TEC1-12705 at QL=3.5W 69
51 Result experiment 2c for TEC1-12705 at QL=4.5W 69
52 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 0W (Experiment 2c) 70
53 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 1.5W (Experiment 2c) 70
54 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 2.5W (Experiment 2c) 70
55 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 3.5W (Experiment 2c) 71
56 Calculated P,QH, and COP: TEC1-12705 at QL= 4.5W (Experiment 2c) 71
57 Result experiment 2c for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=0W 74
58 Result experiment 2c for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=1.5W 74
59 Result experiment 2c for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=2.5W 74
60 Result experiment 2c for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=3.5W 75
61 Result experiment 2c for CP1.4-71-06L at QL=4.5W 75
62 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 0W (Experiment 2c) 76
63 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 1.5W (Experiment 2c) 76
64 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 2.5W (Experiment 2c) 76
65 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 3.5W (Experiment 2c) 77
66 Calculated P,QH and COP: CP1.4-71-06L at QL= 4.5W (Experiment 2c) 77
67 Result experiment 3a : TEC1-12705 for flow rate = 6.62cm3/s 82
68 Calculated P, QH and COP: TEC1-12705 for flow rate =6.62cm3/s 82
69 Result experiment 3a: TEC1-12705 for flow rate =2.32cm3/s 83
70 Calculated P, QH and COP: TEC1-12705 for flow rate=2.32cm3/s 83
71 Result experiment 3b: TEC1-12705 for cooling fan power = 2.28W 84
72 Calculated P, QH and COP: TEC1-12705 for cooling fan power =2.28W 84
73 Result experiment 3b: TEC1-12705 for cooling fan power = 1.92W 85
74 Calculated P, QH and COP: TEC1-12705 for cooling fan power =1.92W 85
75 Result experiment 3c: TEC1-12705 for fin size = 130x110x15 86
76 Calculated P, QH and COP: TEC1-12705 for fin size = 130x110x15 86
77 Result experiment 3c: TEC1-12705 for fin size = 110x100x15 87
78 Calculated P, QH and COP:TEC1-12705 for fin size = 110x100x15 87
79 Physical properties for TEC1-12705 and CP1.4-71-06L 91
xiv
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE NO. TITLE PAGE
1 Schematic diagram of the thermoelectric properties of a thermocouple 7
in terms of its component thermo elements
2 Simple thermocouples circuit to illustrate Seebeck effect 8
3 Thermocouples circuit after modification to illustrate Peltier effect 10
4 Typical thermoelectric module designs : (a) single-stage module, (b) 12
multistage module
5 Schematic diagram of thermoelectric generator 15
6 Typical figure of merit Z for several TE materials at various 17
temperatures[13]
7 Schematic diagram for experiment 1 20
8 Schematic diagram for experiment 2a 22
9 Schematic diagram for experiment 2b 25
10 Schematic diagram for experiment 2c 27
11 Graph voltage vs TH-TL for TEC1-12705 33
12 Graph voltage vs TH-TL for CP1.4-71-06L 37
13 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2a) 44
14 Graph COP vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2a) 44
15 Graph QH vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2a) 45
16 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2a) 50
17 Graph COP vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2a) 50
18 Graph QH vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2a) 51
19 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=4.5W (Experiment 2a) 52
20 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=3.5W (Experiment 2a) 52
21 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=2.5W (Experiment 2a) 53
22 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=1.5W (Experiment 2a) 53
xv
23 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2b) 58
24 Graph COP vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2b) 58
25 Graph QH vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2b) 59
26 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2b) 64
27 Graph COP vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2b) 64
28 Graph QH vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2b) 65
29 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=1.5W (Experiment 2b) 66
30 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=2.5W (Experiment 2b) 66
31 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=3.5W (Experiment 2b 67
32 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=4.5W (Experiment 2b) 67
33 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2c) 72
34 Graph COP vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2c) 72
35 Graph QH vs I at different QL for TEC1-12705 (Experiment 2c) 73
36 Graph TH-TL vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2c) 78
37 Graph COP vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2c) 78
38 Graph QH vs I at different QL for CP1.4-71-06L (Experiment 2c) 79
39 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=1.5W (Experiment 2c) 80
40 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=2.5W (Experiment 2c) 80
41 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=3.5W (Experiment 2c) 81
42 Graph COP vs I for 2 TE Modules at QL=4.5W (Experiment 2c) 81
43 Graph COP vs I at different flow rate for TEC1-12705 83
44 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different cooling fan power 85
45 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different size of fin 87
46 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different heat sink (QL=4.5W) 88
47 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different heat sink (QL=3.5W) 88
48 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different heat sink (QL=2.5W) 89
49 Graph COP vs I for TEC1-12705 at different heat sink (QL=1.5W) 89
50 Graph voltage versus the temperature difference [1] 90
51 Simulation measured performance curves of the thermoelectric 92
module DT [3]
52 Simulation result for COP vs I for thermoelectric module DT [3] 93
xvi
LIST OF SYMBOLS
COP - Coefficient of performance
I - current through the thermoelectric module ( A )
P - electric power supplied to the thermoelectric module ( W )
R - total electrical resistance of thermoelectric module ( Ω )
V - voltage to the thermoelectric module ( V )
Z - figure of merit of thermoelectric module (°C -1 )
ΔT - temperature difference (°C)
dT
dEAB - relative Seebeck coefficient of thermo element A and B
α - Seebeck coefficient of the thermoelectric module ( V°C-1 )
π - Peltier coefficient (V)
Kt - total thermal conductivity of thermoelectric module ( W°C-1 )
QL - cooling capacity (W)
QH - heating capacity (W)
TH - hot-end temperature of the thermoelectric module (°C )
TL - cold-end temperature of the thermoelectric module (°C )
ρ - electrical resistivity ( Ω-m )
PA - cross section area of p type (m2)
nA - cross section area of n type (m2)
ABE - emf along conductor thermo element AB
0T - temperature reference (°C)
1T - temperature at point 1 (°C)
2T - temperature at point 2 (°C)
3T - temperature at point 3 (°C)
Aα - Seebeck coefficient at thermo element A ( V°C-1 )
xvii
Bα - Seebeck coefficient at thermo element B ( V°C-1 )
Cα - Seebeck coefficient at thermo element C ( V°C-1 )
pα - Seebeck coefficient of p type ( V°C-1 )
nα - Seebeck coefficient of n type ( V°C-1 )
Pρ - electrical resistivity of p type ( Ω-m )
nρ - electrical resistivity of n type ( Ω-m )
nλ - thermal conductivity of n type ( W°C-1 )
pλ - thermal conductivity of p type ( W°C-1 )
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Basically thermoelectric module is a simple and unique device that converts
electrical energy into thermal energy or reverse. It has been used in various
applications such as to cool infrared detectors and to stabilize the temperature of
solid-state lasers. Furthermore thermoelectric is also one of the famous field in the
university courses and many researchers have been studied about it.
Yaakov [1] studied the Seebeck and Peltier effects in simple experiment with
thermoelectric module and data acquisition system. The experiment has a simple
method in order to determine the Seebeck coefficient, Peltier coefficient, efficiency
of thermoelectric generator and maximum temperature difference provided by Peltier
cooler.
Xu Xu et al [2] studied the performance of thermoelectric modules in active
building envelopes (ABE). Thermoelectric modules are tested as single
thermoelectric unit and in an assembly of eight thermoelectric units. For single unit
tests, two types of commercial thermoelectric modules are used which are CP1.4-
127-045L and PT4-12-40. Then each type is tested separately in a cooling and
heating mode at 3, 5 and 7V. The changes in current and temperature are measured
over a period of 2 until 12 hours.
2
The thermal performance of thermoelectric module depends on physical
properties such as the Seebeck coefficient α, the electric resistance R and the thermal
conductivity, Kt.. B.J. Huang et al [3] reported that the manufacturer of thermoelectric
module usually does not provide the correct physical properties of thermoelectric
module to their customer. An automatic test apparatus has been designed to find the
correct physical properties. From that experiment data and by using several
equations, then the performance curves of thermoelectric module are obtained.
Y.J.Dai et al [4] studied on the thermoelectric refrigerator that driven by a
solar cells. The experiment is conducted by making a prototype which consist a solar
cell driven, thermoelectric refrigerator, controller, storage battery and rectifier. In the
end it focused on testing the performance of the daytime used solar driven
thermoelectric refrigerator without the need of battery.
S.Maneewan et al [5] reported about the investigation of the thermoelectric
roof solar collector (TE-RSC) for power generation using solar energy. Ten
thermoelectric cooling modules (model: TEC1-12708) are used in that experiment.
A optimization of heat and cold sink extenders has been studied by Paul G.
Lau et al [6] in thermoelectric cooling assemblies. The thermoelectric module is
tested by using heat sink extender and cold sink extender.
Instead of experimental investigations, several numerical studies also have
been conducted by other researchers such as L.N Vikhor et al [7], A Chakraborty et
al [8] and Lingen Chen et al [9].
L.N Vikhor et al [7] used the methods of optimal control theory to determine
the optimal parameter values for thermoelectric coolers BiTe-based with single,
double and three-segmented legs.
Meanwhile, A Chakraborty et al [8] studied the temperature-entropy analysis
starting from the principle of thermodynamics of thermoelectricity, differential
governing equations that describing the entropy and energy flows in the
thermoelectric element.
3
The effects of heat transfer on the performance of thermoelectric generators
are analyzed by Lingen Chen et al [9]. The paper reported that the heat transfer
irreversibility does affect the performance of thermoelectric generator.
In U.K and Lebanon, R.Y. Nuwayhid et al [10] designed a low cost stove-top
thermoelectric generator with unreliable electric supply to be used especially during
the winter. The current generator that using peltier module has been re-designed in
order to produce the maximum power.
K.A. Moores, Y.K. Joshi and G. Miller [11] examined the performance of
thermoelectric coolers for used in electronic system and applications in high
temperature conditions. A commercially available thermoelectric cooling has been
used and the experiment it shows that the differential temperature decline slowly and
steadily due to test durations. The type is similar for module voltage as well.
Gao Min and D.M. Rowe [12] conducted the experiment to evaluate the
prototype thermoelectric refrigerators in terms of heat-pumping capacity, cooling-
down rate and coefficient of performance. The results indicate that the COP increases
if the module contact resistance, thermal interfaces and heat exchangers are effective
and in the good conditions.
4
1.2 Objectives The objectives of this project are 1. To determine the physical properties and performance curves of
thermoelectric module
2. To optimize the operation of thermoelectric module experimentally
1.3 Scopes This is an experimental study where the test rig has to be fabricated in order
to achieve the objectives of the project. The scopes are covered by 3 parts
and listed as follows:
1. Study on the thermoelectric module principle theory.
2. Determination of performance curve and physical properties of the
thermoelectric module by using some related equations. Comparison between
the experimental data and manufacturer data will be made.
3. Optimize experimentally some parameters that important to increase the
performance of thermoelectric module such as power applied, size, cooling
system that involved in the experiment or thermoelectric material itself.
5
1.4 Problem statement Theoretically thermal performance of thermoelectric module depends on the
physical properties such as the Seebeck coefficient α, the electric resistance R and
the thermal conductivity, Kt But usually the manufacturer of thermoelectric module
does not provide this kind of data for their customer or the given data are not
accurate because of the variation of manufacturing process. So in order to determine
the physical properties of thermoelectric module, an experimental apparatus has been
fabricated. Finally by knowing that data we can measure the thermal performance of
the thermoelectric module by using some equations that related. Optimization need
to be done experimentally to increase the performance of thermoelectric module.
100
REFERENCES
[1] Yaakov Kraftmakher, Simple experiment with a thermoelectric module, Eur.
J. Phys. 26 (2005) 959-967
[2] Xu Xu, Steven Van Dessel and Achille Messac, Study of the performance of
thermoelectric modules for use in active building envelopes (2005)
[3] B. J. Huang, C.J Chin and C.L Duang, A design method of thermoelectric
cooler, International Journal of Refrigeration 23 (2000) 208-218
[4] Y.J.Dai, R.Z.Wang and L.Ni, Experimental investigation on a thermoelectric
refrigerator driven by solar cells, Renewable energy 28 (2003) 949-959
[5] S.Maneewan, J. Khedari, B. Zeghmati, J. Hirunlabh and J. Eakburanawat,
Investagation on generated power of thermoelectric roof solar collector,
Renewable energy 29 (2004) 743-752
[6] Paul G. Lau, Todd M.Ritzer and Richard J. Buist, Thermodynamic
optimization of heat and cold sink extenders in thermoelectric cooling
assemblies, TE Technology Inc.
[7] L.N.Vikhor and L.I.Anatychuk, Theoretical evaluation of maximum
temperature difference in segmented thermoelectric coolers, Applied Thermal
Engineering 26 (2006) 1692-1696
[8] A.Chakraborty, B.B.Saha, S.Koyama and K.C.Ng, Thermodynamic modeling
of a solid state thermoelectric cooling device: Temperature-entropy analysis,
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 49 (2006) 3547-3554
[9] Lingen Chen, Jianzheng Gong, Fengrui Sun and Chih Wu, Effect of heat
transfer on the performance of the thermoelectric generators, Int. J. Therm.
Sci. 41 (2002) 95-99
[10] R.Y. Nuwayhid, D.M. Rowe and G.Min, Low cost stove-top thermoelectric
generator for regions with unreliable electricity supply, Renewable energy 28
(2003) 205-222
[11] K.A. Moores, Y.K. Joshi and G.Miller, Performance assessment of
thermoelectric coolers for use in high temperature electronic application,
International Conference on thermoelectric, Baltimore, MD, September 1999.
[12] Gao Min, D.M. Rowe, Experimental evaluation of prototype thermoelectric
domestic-refrigerators, Applied energy 83 (2006) 133-152
[13] D.M. Rowe, CRC Handbook of thermoelectrics, 1995
101
[14] www.ferrotec.com
[15] Goldsmid, H.J., Electronic Refrigeration, Pion, London, 1986
[16] Ioffe, A.F, Semiconductor Thermo elements and the Thermoelectric Cooling,
Infosearch, London, 1957
[17] www.melcor.com
[18] H.J. Goldsmid, Thermoelectric refrigeration, 1964
[19] Drabble, J.R. and Goodman, C.H.L., J. Phys. Chem. Solids 5, 142 (1958)
[20] Harman, T.C., Logan, M.J., and Goering, H.L., J. Phys. Chem. Solids 7, 228
(1958)
[21] Specifications of TE Module Model TEC1-12705
[22] Specifications of CP1.4-71-06L
[23] S.B. Riffat and Xiaoli Ma, Improving the coefficient of performance of
thermoelectric cooling systems: a review, Int. J. Energy Res. 2004; 28:753-
768
[24] S.B. Riffat and Xiaoli Ma, Optimum selection (design) of thermoelectric
modules for large capacity heat pump applications, Int. J. Energy Res. 2004;
28:1231-1242