Flow rate analysis experiment on thermoelectric cooling

Abstract

Currently, common cooling methods are related with refrigerants such as R-134a which are considered not totally environmentally friendly, so thermoelectric cooling had become a solution to the issue as it is a refrigerant free system. Thermoelectric cooling is based on the Peltier Effect takes place in the cooling or heating phase. Thermoelectric cooler module varies in type, some are made in an air to air configuration, and later types proved water cooled system to be more efficient. This experiment is about analyzing the effect of cooling water flow rate towards temperature drop in refrigeration compartment. The apparatus involved an insulated foam box with a water cooled thermoelectric module attached to the side. Water flow was regulated at different rates and temperature recordings were made to compare. The results shows that water flow rate have great effect onto the cooling performance. Further details had shown that there is a threshold of water flow rate which the thermoelectric module would start cooling down. This research is a guideline for other works that require the optimization of thermoelectric cooling system.