Experimental and numerical investigation of a prototype thermoelectric heating and cooling unit

• A prototype thermoelectric heating/cooling system was manufactured.
• Numerical and experimental analyses were carried out to determine the practicability of the offered system in HVAC applications.
• Psychrometric properties of the air were measured for different TEC voltages.
• COP of the system was calculated to be in the range of 2.5–5 and 0.4–1 for heating and cooling, respectively.
• Using TECs are promising alternative method for HVAC applications.

In this study, the performance of a prototype thermoelectric heating/cooling unit is investigated. In the numerical analysis, temperature–pressure contours, and velocity vectors are obtained for the selected fin geometry. In order to validate the numerical results, experimental analyses are carried out. The effects of the air velocity on the temperature distribution of the fin surfaces and the variation of the psychrometric properties of the air are measured for various TEC voltage differences. Thermal images are used to obtain the temperature variation on fin surfaces. COP values for heating and cooling are calculated. For different fan speeds, the heating and cooling COP values vary between 2.5 and 5, and 0.4 and 1, respectively. The study shows that it is possible to use TECs as an alternative method for HVAC applications with properly designed heat exchangers. Integrating them with photovoltaic panels provides utilization of solar energy, especially in cooling applications.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide