Numerical Optimization of the Thermoelectric Cooling Devices

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Abramzon
Keyword(s):  
Electric Current ◽  
Optimum Design ◽  
Random Search ◽  
Thermal Conductance ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Thermoelectric Coolers ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Optimization Search

The present study proposes the unified numerical approach to the problem of optimum design of the thermoelectric devices for cooling electronic components. The method is illustrated with several examples which are based on the standard mathematical model of a single-stage thermoelectric cooler with constant material properties. The model takes into account the thermal resistances from the hot and cold sides of the TEC. Values of the main physical parameters governing the TEC performance (Zeebeck coefficient, electrical resistance and thermal conductance) are derived from the manufacturer catalog data on the maximum achievable temperature difference, and the corresponding electric current and voltage. The independent variables for the optimization search are the number of the thermoelectric coolers, the electric current and the cold side temperature of the TEC. The additional independent variables in other cases are the number of thermoelectric couples and the height-to area ratio of the thermoelectric pellet. The objective for the optimization search is the maximum of the total cooling rate or maximum of COP. In the present study, the problems of optimum design of thermoelectric cooling devices are solved using the so-called Multistart Adaptive Random Search (MARS) method [16].

Numerical Optimization of the Thermoelectric Cooling Devices

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Abramzon
Keyword(s):  
Electric Current ◽  
Optimization Problems ◽  
Random Search ◽  
Thermal Conductance ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Adaptive Random Search ◽  
Optimization Search

The present study proposes a unified numerical approach to the problem of optimum design of the thermoelectric devices for cooling electronic components. The standard mathematical model of a single-stage thermoelectric cooler (TEC) with constant material properties is employed. The model takes into account the thermal resistances from the hot and cold sides of the TEC. Values of the main physical parameters governing the TEC performance (Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistance, and thermal conductance) are derived from the manufacturer catalog data on the maximum achievable temperature difference, and the corresponding electric current and voltage. The optimization approach is illustrated with several examples for different design objective functions, variables, and constraints. The objective for the optimization search is the maximization of the total cooling rate or the performance coefficient of the cooling device. The independent variables for the optimization search are as follows: The number of the thermoelectric modules, the electric current, and the cold side temperature of the TEC. Additional independent variables in other cases include the number of thermoelectric couples and the area-to-height ratio of the thermoelectric pellet. In the present study, the optimization problems are solved numerically using the so-called multistart adaptive random search method.

scholarly journals Applying Biomimetic Principles to Thermoelectric Cooling Devices for Water Collection

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Kyle B Davidson ◽  
Bahram Asiabanpour ◽  
Zaid Almusaied
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Device Structure ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Water Collection ◽  
Maximum Water ◽  
The Ideal

The shortage of freshwater resources in the world has developed the need for sustainable, cost-effective technologies that can produce freshwater on a large scale. Current solutions often have extensive manufacturing requirements, or involve the use of large quantities of energy or toxic chemicals. Atmospheric water generating solutions that minimize the depletion of natural resources can be achieved by incorporating biomimetics, a classification of design inspired by nature. This research seeks to optimize thermoelectric cooling systems for use in water harvesting applications by analyzing the different factors that affect surface temperature and water condensation in TEC devices. Further experiments will be directed towards developing a robust, repeatable system, as well as an accurate measurement system. Surface modifications, device structure and orientation, and power generation will also be studied to better understand the ideal conditions for maximum water collection in thermoelectric cooling systems.

scholarly journals Physicochemical characteristics of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) soils in Colombia: Are they adequate to improve productivity?

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Clara Esperanza León-Moreno ◽  
Jairo Rojas-Molina ◽  
Carlos E. Castilla-Campos
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Reference Table ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Theobroma Cacao L

In Colombia, cacao farms are located mainly in areas with edaphoclimatic limitations. The predominant soil fertility characteristics from small cacao farms in 13 provinces were evaluated. A total of 635 soil samples (0-20 cm) were taken between 2011 and 2013 from the main cacao producer regions in Colombia. The number of samples was assigned based on the regional cacao production. The resulting data were analyzed with a linear regression model using pH as the dependent variable and soil chemical and physical parameters as the independent variables. Soil texture ranged between 14 and 40% clay, and 31 and 65% sand. Bulk density ranged between 1.07 and 1.28 Mg m-3 with a calculated porosity between 48.8 and 55.0%. There was no evidence of soil compaction. The national pH ranged between 3.9 and 7.9 and was negatively correlated with Al+3 content (R2 = 0.68) and Al saturation (R2 = 0.80) and redicts Al saturation in the range of available Al up to pH >5.2- 5.5. In this range, available P (as P2O5) was lower than 12 mg kg-1 and was accepted as a minimum value for a sustainable production. With 4.0 cmolc kg-1 of Ca and 60% saturation of the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC). A minimum ECEC is proposed at 6.0 cmolc kg-1. A reference table for soils in Colombia is proposed as a guide for the establishment and management of productive and sustainable plantations.

Numerical Modeling and Design of Thermoelectric Cooling Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 110-116 ◽  
pp. 2639-2646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Yuan Jou
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Thermoelectric Module ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Cooling Systems ◽  
Thermoelectric Coolers ◽  
Internal Parameters

Thermoelectric coolers are often used as reliable energy converters in a large range of applications. For design considerations, it is crucial to establish an effective methodology to determine and optimize the TEC performance within the cooling system constraints. For this purpose, firstly, three approaches are used to obtain the internal parameters of a given thermoelectric module. For these three estimating procedures, the simulated pumping powers are in the sequence of method III < method II < method I for each temperature difference. Hence, good precision of the simulated data are obtained by averaging the results of these three methods. Then, design optimizations of a thermoelectric assembly are conducted to obtain the device parameter, efficiency, and maximum power, respectively. Results show it is simple and effective way for design of a thermoelectric cooling system.

Design calculations for cascaded thermoelectric cooling devices

1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Sreedhar ◽  
B.L. Sharma ◽  
S.C. Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Design Calculations

Optimization of a Thermoelectric Cooler for Time-Varying Heat Load and Sink Temperature

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Pearson ◽  
Charles E. Lents
Keyword(s):  
Heat Load ◽  
Thermal Conductance ◽  
Electronics Cooling ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Operating Cycle ◽  
Temperature Function ◽  
Thermoelectric Coolers ◽  
A Tec

Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) are solid-state cooling devices that operate on the Seebeck effect. They can be used in electronics cooling applications as well as other refrigeration systems. Among the various factors that affect TEC performance within a system, it has been shown that the thermal conductance is an important parameter which can also be easily altered during the design of a TEC to deliver optimal TEC performance for a given application. However, these studies have considered only a fixed heat load and heat sink temperature, whereas in many realistic applications these quantities can vary. A procedure has been developed for optimizing the thermal conductance of a TEC based on a typical operating cycle of time-varying heat load and sink temperature, while permitting constraints that ensure that one or more worst-case operating conditions can also be met. This procedure is valid for any arbitrary heat load and sink temperature functions; however, for illustrative purposes, a simple heat load function at fixed sink temperature (and a sink temperature function at fixed heat load) are used. The results show that the optimal conductance can strongly depend on the operating cycle, and the corresponding reduction in electrical input work (and corresponding increase in net COP) can be significant.

Liquid-Mediated Reversible Thermal Interface for Satellite Thermal Management

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilhwan Cha ◽  
Y. Sungtaek Ju
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Thermal Management ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Conductance ◽  
Atomic Clocks ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Thermal Interface ◽  
Reconfigurable Networks ◽  
Wide Range

Ability to establish and break thermal contacts in a reversible manner is important in a wide range of applications. These include active thermal conductance control for bolometers [1], pulsed thermoelectric cooling [2], chip scale atomic clocks, and thermal energy harvesting, and thermally reconfigurable networks for satellite thermal management [3]. The last is particularly interesting as it potentially has significant near- as well as long-term technical impact.

Development of Thermoelectric Cooling Devices with Graded Structure

2005 ◽  
Vol 492-493 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Kohri ◽  
Ichiro Shiota
Keyword(s):  
Bismuth Telluride ◽  
Thermoelectric Materials ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Temperature Drop ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Large Temperature ◽  
Thermoelectric Cooling ◽  
Temperature Range ◽  
Graded Structure ◽  
Cooling Devices

Every thermoelectric material shows high performance at a specific narrow temperature range. The temperature range with high performance can be expanded by joining the materials with different peak temperature. This is the concept of a functionally graded material (FGM) for thermoelectric materials. Bismuth telluride is the best material for cooling devices at around room temperature. Then we investigated the thermoelectric cooling properties for bismuth telluride with two step graded structure. FGM samples were fabricated by three methods. The first FGM was synthesized by in situ method. The second one was fabricated by joining in a hot-press equipment. The last one was composed by joining with solder. Thermoelectric cooling properties were evaluated by observing the maximum temperature drop to electric current when the high temperature side was kept constant. The large temperature difference was obtained when the proper configuration of thermoelectric materials along the temperature gradient were performed. The coincidence of optimum electrical currents of composing materials is also essential to obtain the high cooling performance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document