Thermodynamic comparison of Peltier, Stirling, and vapor compression portable coolers

The present study compares the thermodynamic performance of four small-capacity portable coolers that employ different cooling technologies: thermoelectric, Stirling, and vapor compression using two different compressors (reciprocating and linear). The refrigeration systems were experimentally evaluated in a climatized chamber with controlled temperature and humidity. Tests were carried out at two different ambient temperatures (21 and 32 °C) in order to obtain key performance parameters of the systems (e.g., power consumption, cooling capacity, internal air temperature, and the hot end and cold end temperatures). These performance parameters were compared using a thermodynamic approach that splits the overall 2nd law efficiency into two terms, namely, the internal and external efficiencies. In doing so, the internal irreversibilities (e.g., friction in the working fluid in the Stirling and vapor compression machines, Joule heating and heat conduction in the thermoelectric devices of the Peltier cooler) were separated from the heat exchanger losses (external irreversibilities), allowing the comparison between different refrigeration technologies with respect to the same thermodynamic baseline.

► A Peltier, a Stirling, and two vapor compression refrigerators were compared.
► Tests were carried out to obtain key performance parameters of the systems.
► The overall 2nd-law efficiency was splited to take into account the internal and external irreversibilities.
► The Stirling and vapor compression refrigeration systems presented higher efficiencies.
► The thermoelectric device was not at the same efficiency level as the other coolers.