Title: Experimental and parametric analysis of a thermoelectric refrigerator

Authors: Francis Onoroh; Mercy Ogbonnaya; Obiora Nnaemeka Ezenwa; Emmanuel Oluwafemi Odubiyi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, 100001, Nigeria ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, 100001, Nigeria ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, 420001, Nigeria ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos, 100001, Nigeria

Abstract: The adverse effects of refrigerants used in vapour compression refrigeration systems (VCRS) on the environment necessitated that alternative ways of cooling to be explored. Thermoelectric refrigeration systems can be used for cooling without the use of refrigerants. In this study, a cascade comprising of eight thermoelectric modules were used to reduce the temperature of a fourteen litre refrigeration chamber from 28.7°C to 3°C after 4 h. Parametric analysis was carried out to evaluate the performance of the refrigerator. At a temperature gradient of 20°C the coefficient of performance (C.O.P) was 0.55, while at a temperature gradient of 60°C the C.O.P was 0.25 at 6A. At the designed condition, a C.O.P of 0.34 was obtained. The result of the simulation shows that optimum performance of a thermoelectric refrigerator would be obtained when the temperature gradient between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric module is kept to a minimum.

Keywords: coefficient of performance; thermoelectric; modules; temperature; refrigeration chamber; Peltier effect; module resistance; module conductance; cooling load; temperature gradient.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2020.106231

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2020 Vol.14 No.2, pp.125 - 141

Received: 19 Sep 2017
Accepted: 02 Feb 2018
Published online: 02 Apr 2020 *

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