Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of
Engineering , Shegaon
Department of Mechanical Engineering
(Academic Session 2018-19)
SEMINAR TOPIC:
THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION
Guided by SYSTEM
Prof. R.V. Rajkolhe
Presented By
Dipali S. Dhade (Roll no.04)
Contents
Introduction
Basic Principles
Working
Fabrication
Governing Equations
Applications
Conclusion
References
Introduction
One cannot refuse the use of refrigeration systems in our life,
not only in kitchen but also in shops, industries and
commercial purposes.
Today’s compression refrigeration system has given very
good performance. But refrigerants used in these systems are
hazardous to the environment and human life, because they
react with very useful gas ozone (O 3), thereby depleting ozone
layer.
Thermo-electric refrigeration system can substitute vapor
compression refrigeration system for small-scale applications
and act as solution of the problem above discussed.
Basic Principles
Seebeck Effect-
By applying heat to two different conductors a current can be generated. The current
is transported through charge carriers (opposite the hole flow or with electron
flow).Heat transfer occurs in the direction of charge carrier movement .
Figure 1 : The Seebeck effect
The voltage known as the Seebeck EMF, can be expressed as,
Eout=α(TH-TC)
Peltier Effect-
When a voltage or DC current is applied to two dissimilar
conductors, a circuit can be created that allows for continuous heat
transport between the conductor’s junctions.
Figure 2 : Peltier effect
The Peltier effect can be expressed mathematically as,
Qc or QH = β×I = (αT×I)
Working of Thermoelectric
Refrigeration System
Themoelectric Refrigeration System
i. With N type semiconductor
Figure 4: Peltier cooling with
N-type semiconductor
ii. with P-type semiconductor
Figure 6: Peltier cooling with
P-type semiconductor
iii. with P & N type of semiconductor
Figure 4.5: Thermoelectric cooling by couple of N&P
Figure 4.6: Thermoelectric cooling by multiple pallets
Fabrication
Figure 7: Fabrication of Peltier
module
Figure 8: Configuration
of air-to-air
thermoelectric
refrigerator
Governing Equations And
Performance Parameter
1. Cooling power
The expression for cooling power is,
2. Power consumed
W= (αp – αn )I (T2-T1) +I2 (Rp+Rn)
3. Coefficient of performance (COP)
4.Maximum cooling power
Referring equation for cooling power
Figure 5.1: Schematic plot of cooling power against current for a thermoelectric refrigerator
5 Figure of merit
Here, R is the electrical resistance, which is equal to
Since, length l and area A are not material properties, one can write
figure of merit as,
Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantages
1 It is simple in construction.
2 It is noiseless and light in weight.
3 It is compact device, hence can be used in small space.
4 It is ecofriendly device since no refrigerants are used.
5 It is more reliable than VCR and VAR.
6 It is easy to control by just varying current.
Disadvantages
1 The efficiency of thermoelectric refrigeration is less.
2 It has 5 to 10% efficiency as compared with that of ideal reversed carnot cycle.
3 It has 40 to 60% COP as compared to conventional refrigeration cycle.
4 COP is low and further decreases with increase in (Th-Tc)
5 It is suitable only for small capacity units.
6 It is costly because of high cost of semiconductors.
Applications
1.TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN MISSILES
2.TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS
3.SPACE PROBES
4.COOLING COMPUTERS
5.FOOD INDUSTRY
6.MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
7.DRINKING WATER COOLER
Conclusion
Thermoelectric Refrigerator systems are the emerging
systems in the field of refrigeration. It is due to its
simplicity, lack of lubrication and sliding seals, and their
use of environmentally harmless working systems. But the
main issue is that it has less efficiency. It has very small
COP as compared to vapour compression refrigerator or
vapour absorption refrigerator system. But research is
going on for improving its COP by various modifications.
In future, let us hope these thermoelectric devices
which promise to improve everyone’s standard of living
while helping to protect the planet might soon take over
other costly, less durable and polluting engine and pumps.
The latest achievements of the former are certainly
encouraging, but there are still much left to be done.
References
1 G. Anbazhgan, R.Hariharan, Performance analysis of thermoelectric refrigerator , International Journal of Pure
and Applied Mathematics, 2017
2 Sudhanshu Paul, Raj Prabhat, Kevin Varkey Koshy,abhishek Gaikwad & Jude James, fabrication and testing of
thermoelectric refrigeration system, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, jun – jul 2016;
3 Deepak M. Bondre*, Vaibhav N. Deshpande*, Thermoelectric Refrigeration System (Multistage), 2016 IJEDR
4 Pradeep Bansal* , Edward Vineyard*, Omar Abdelaziz*, Status of not-in-kind refrigeration technologies for
household space conditioning, water heating and food refrigeration, International Journal of Sustainable Built
Environment (2012)
5 Rakesh Sharma*, Deepak* ,Thermoelectric refrigerator with patterned air flow arrangement, International
Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology, Dec-2016
6 R. Sabarish*, Numerical Simulation of Thermoelectric Refrigeration Materials, Indian Journal of Science and
Technology, November 2015
7 Satheeshkumar Palaniappana* and Balachander Palanisamyb*,Finite element analysis of thermoelectric
refrigeration system, International Conference On design and manufacturing, 2013
8 R. Boukhanouf (corresponding author) and A. Supasuteekul, Theoretical analysis of an integrated
thermoelectric-absorption cooling system, International Journal of Low Carbon Technologies, 2017
