SOLAR COOLER BY PELTIER EFFECT

Patel Deep J1, Patel Darpan V

2, Prajapati Bhavik N

3, Bhatt Shivam S

4

Student, Mechanical department, Laxmi institute of Technology, Sarigam-Valsad. Gujarat

Corresponding Author Detail:

Patel Deep J

Student, Mechanical department,

Laxmi institute of Technology,

Sarigam-Valsad, Gujarat.

Internal Guide Detail:

Mr. Hemant Patel

Assistant Professor, Mechanical department,

Laxmi institute of Technology,

Sarigam-Valsad. Gujarat.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a novel conventional cooler by peltier effect system, which employs the

thermoelectric modules as radiant panels instead of conventional hydraulic panels. The novel

radiant system brings a lot of benefits including Freon free, convenient installation, no

complex water distribution pipes, quiet and reliable operation, etc. Switching between

cooling and heating modes can be easily achieved by reversing the input current. The purpose

of this study is to investigate the feasibility and performance of the novel TE-RAC system,

including its cooling and heating performances, condensation risk, dynamic thermal response

and inertia, and cost-effectiveness. A case study of the TE-RAC system is presented to

compare the TE-RAC system with conventional air-cooler systems and radiant air-cooling

systems in terms of cooling and heating capacities, energy consumption and operation

reliability. It is found that the COP of the TE-RAC system could be comparable to

conventional RAC systems and AC systems, besides many other benefits in life-cycle

performances. In recent years, with the increase awareness towards environmental

degradation due to the production, use and disposal of ChloroFluoro Carbons (CFCs) and

Hydro Chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as heat carrier fluids in conventional refrigeration and

air conditioning systems has become a subject of great concern and resulted in extensive

research into development of novel refrigeration and space conditioning technologies.

Thermoelectric cooling provides a promising alternative R&AC technology due to their

distinct advantages. The application of thermoelectric devices to enhance the performance of

conventional vapor compression based air conditioning systems. Thermoelectric devices are

capable of converting electrical energy into thermal heat-pumping at a very high efficiency.

Thermo electric radiant air-conditioning (TE-RAC) system, which employs the

thermoelectric modules as radiant panels instead of conventional hydronic panels. The radiant

system brings a lot of benefits including Freon free, convenient installation, no complex

water distribution pipes, quiet and reliable operation, etc. Switching between cooling and

heating modes can be easily achieved by reversing the input current. Thermoelectric cooling

systems have advantages over conventional cooling devices, including compact in size, light

in weight, high reliability, no mechanical moving parts, no working fluid, being powered by

direct current, and easily switching between cooling and heating modes. In this study,

historical development of thermoelectric cooling has been briefly introduced first. Next, the

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development of thermoelectric materials has been given and the achievements in past decade

have been summarized. To improve thermoelectric cooling system’s performance, the

modelling techniques have been described for both the thermo element modelling and

thermoelectric cooler (TEC) modelling including standard simplified energy equilibrium

model, one-dimensional and three-dimensional models, and numerical compact model.

Finally, the thermoelectric cooling applications have been reviewed in aspects of domestic

refrigeration, electronic cooling, scientific application, and automobile air conditioning and

seat temperature control, with summaries for the commercially available thermoelectric

modules and thermoelectric refrigerators.

KEYWORDS

Conventional energy, mobile unit, easy to switch between cooling and hot modes

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION OF SOLAR COOLER BY PELTIER EFFECT

An air cooler is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract

heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle. In construction, a

complete system of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning is referred to as "HVAC". Its

purpose, in a buildingor anautomobile, is to provide comfort during either hot or coldweather.

In these air conditioner Freon are used as refrigerant. Unfortunately, evidence has

accumulated that these chlorine-bearing refrigerants reach the upper atmosphere when they

escape. Once the refrigerant reaches the stratosphere, UV radiation from the Sun cleaves the

chlorine-carbon bond, yielding a chlorine radical. These chlorine atoms catalyze the

breakdown of ozone into diatomic oxygen, depleting the ozone layer that shields the Earth's

surface from strong UV radiation. As living standards of people is increasing day by day use

of air conditioner is also increasing, with this also potential of greenhouse gases is increasing

so, it is the need of the day opt for some other source of air conditioning source.

Also air conditioner is high power consuming device so we will have to design an air-

conditioner which will run on renewable source of energy. So we will be designing an air-

conditioner working on solar energy. To overcome the problem greenhouse gases some other

cooling source vizPeltier will be used this will be totally eliminating the source of greenhouse

gases. A solar-thermoelectric chiller (STC) system is constructed and characterized using

both theoretical and experimental analyses. A cold-plate (plate and tube type) heat exchanger,

attached to the cold side of the STC system, is utilized for removing the heat from the

circulating water in the system. Analytical models include the thermoelectric Peltier effect,

thermal convections in air and water, and conductions within the solid parts of the STC

system. Proposed analytical models are used to calculate different performance parameters

(e.g., heat removal rate and coefficient of performance) of STC system at different input

electrical currents, temperature differences (between the bulk mean temperature of the liquid

and the surrounding environmental temperature), and flow rates. Optimum values of the

electrical current are calculated to achieve maximum heat removal rates for a wide range of

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temperature differences. It is observed that the heat removal rate by the STC system increases

with increasing bulk mean temperature of the water for considered ambient temperature

conditions. However, small changes in the heat removal rate are observed when liquid flow

rate changes inside the cold-plate heat exchanger. A prototype of the conditioned space is

constructed to perform the experimental analysis. Experimental analysis includes the

monitoring of the cooling down period of the water and conditioned space to achieve desired

temperatures.

The implementation of photovoltaic driven refrigerator cum heating system powered from

solar panels with a battery bank. Different from conventional refrigeration systems,

thermoelectric refrigeration, based on the Peltier effect, does not require any compressor,

expansion valves, absorbers, condensers or solution pumps. Moreover, it does not require

working fluids or any moving parts, which is friendly to the environment and results in an

increase in reliability. It simply uses electrons rather than refrigerants as a heat carrier.

Nowadays, thermoelectric refrigeration devices have a distinct place in medical applications,

electronic applications, scientific equipment and other applications, where a high-precision

temperature control is essential. Refrigeration cum Heater utilizing 5 Thermoelectric (Te)

modules mounted around a load cabinet. The Performance of this model is Experimentally

Evaluated with an Wood cabinet. The device is powered by a Non-conventional energy

resource, here PV Cells. The cabinet can attain a temperature of about 8°C(min) till

200°C(max).The difference between the existing methods and this model, is that a

thermoelectric cooling system refrigerates without use of mechanical devices(Conventional

Condenser fins and Compressor) and without refrigerant too. Since the Peltier module is

compact in size, refrigeration or heating system can be designed according to the user’s

requirement (Shape and Size).

By implementing both solar energy as source of power and Peltier pannels as cooling

medium we will be getting GREEN AIR CONDITIONER which is the need of the day.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

Two unique semi-conductors, one n-type & one p- type are used because that needs to

havedifferent electron densities. The semi-conductors are placed thermally in parallel to each

other and electrically in series and that joined with a thermally conducting plate on each side.

When a voltage is applied to the free ends of the two semi-conductors there is a flow of DC

current across the junction on semi-conductor causing a temperature difference. The side with

the cooling plate absorb heat which is then move to the other side of the device where the

heat sink is. TECs are typically connector side by side and sandwich between two ceramic

plates the cooling ability of the total unit is then proportional to the number of TECs in it.

WORK DONE

Materials are purchased and assembly of it is in progress cabin of materials and dimensions

are ready for fabrication, formula are derived for calculation of heat transfer and energy

transfer rate

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LITERATURE REVIEW

Manoj Kumar Rawat et.al. has said that In recent years, with the increase awareness

towards environmental degradation due to the production, use and disposal of Chloro-Fluoro

Carbons (CFCs) and Hydro Chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as heat carrier fluids in

conventional refrigeration and air conditioning systems has become a subject of great concern

and resulted in extensive research into development of novel refrigeration and space

conditioning technologies. Thermoelectric cooling provides a promising alternative R&AC

technology due to their distinct advantages. A brief introduction of thermoelectricity,

principal of thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric materials has been presented by him.

The cost-effectiveness of this technology has been also discussed by him. He also conducting

research for development of renewable energy based TER system and they have been

designed and developed an experimental thermoelectric refrigeration system having a

refrigeration space of 1 liter is cooling by four numbers of thermoelectric cooling module

(Qmax=19W) and a heat sink fan assembly (Rth=0.50 oC/W) for each thermoelectric module

used to increase heat dissipation rate. A temperature reduction of 11oC without any heat load

and 9oC with 100 ml of water in refrigeration space with respect to 23

oC ambient temperature

has been experimentally found in first 30 minutes at optimized operating conditions. The

calculated COP of thermoelectric refrigeration cabinet was 0.1. He also observed that if the

current was reversed the ice could be melted. His work explained those thermoelectric

cooling materials needed to have high See beck coefficients, good electrical conductivity to

minimize Joule heating, and low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer from junctions

to junctions. Shortly after the development of practical semiconductors in 1950’s, Bismuth

Telluride began to be the primary material used in the thermoelectric cooling [1]

.

Diana Enescu, Elena OtiliaVirjog he has done their researchthe formulation of the

parameters indicating the characteristics and performance of thermoelectric cooling devices,

with particular reference to a number of recent publications. The specific aspects addressed

include some practical considerations referring to the thermoelectric figure of merit, the

characterization of the cooling capacity, and the assessment of the coefficient of performance

(COP). The dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit is addressed by focusing on its

conventional and modified definitions and indicating the values obtained for different

thermoelectric cooling materials. Further more, the expressions of the cooling capacity for

single-stage and multi-stage thermoelectric coolers are reviewed. Concerning the COP, its

dedicated expressions are constructed starting from the classical formulation and introducing

additional factors or modifications in order to take into account the Thomson effect, the

dependence on temperature of the thermoelectric materials, and the effect so the electrical

contact resistance, thermal resistance, thermo element length and current. Finally, on the basis

of the indications taken from the literature, further considerations are included on the COP

values found in thermoelectric cooling applications, as well as on how to obtain COP

improvements[2]

.

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Dongliang Zhao, Gang Tan has investigated advances of thermoelectric materials, modeling

approaches, and applications. Thermoelectric cooling systems have advantages over

conventional cooling devices, including compact in size, light in weight, high reliability, no

mechanical moving parts, no working fluid, being powered by direct current, and easily

switching between cooling and heating modes. In this study, historical development of

thermoelectric cooling has been briefly introduced first. Next, the development of

thermoelectric materials has been given and the achievements in past decade have been

summarized. To improve thermoelectric cooling system’s performance, the modeling

techniques have been described for both the thermo element modeling and thermoelectric

cooler (TEC) modeling including standard simplified energy equilibrium model, one-

dimensional and three-dimensional models, and numerical compact model. Finally, the

thermoelectric cooling applications have been reviewed in aspects of domestic refrigeration,

electronic cooling, scientific application, and automobile air conditioning and seat

temperature control, with summaries for the commercially available thermoelectric modules

and thermoelectric refrigerators. It is expected that this study will be beneficial to

thermoelectric cooling system design, simulation, and analysis. Thermoelectric module is a

solid-state energy converter that consists of a bunch of thermocouples wired electrically in

series and thermally in parallel. A thermocouple is made of two different semiconducting

thermo elements, which generate thermoelectric cooling effect (Peltier Seebeck effect) when

a voltage in appropriate direction applied through the connected junction. Thermoelectric

module generally works with two heat sinks attached to it shot and cold sides in order to

enhance heat transfer and system performance. For a specific module and fixed hot/cold side

temperatures, there exists an optimum current for maximum coefficient if performance

(COP)[3]

.

Zhong Bing Liu et.al. has done research on the condensing heat recovery in air conditioner i

s attractive because of its great economic and environmental value. They present theoretical a

nd experimental investigations of a novel solar thermoelectric air conditioner with hot water s

upply (STACHWS). The system can implement different working modes according to the bui

lding users’ requirement. Experiments were carried out under different operating conditions i

n order to investigate the performance of the system. Results show that the STEACWS can re

liably be used to heat hot water without losing its cooling capacity when it is controlled well i

n different operation conditions. The system has relatively remarkable coefficient of performa

nce (COPint) which can be as high as about 4.51 in space cooling and water heating mode. W

hen the system works as a water source thermoelectric heat pump, the coefficient of performa

nce (COP) of the system can be about 2.59 in cooling mode and 3.01 in heating mode. This si

mple and environmentally friendly system can reduce indoor cooling and heating load and pr

ovide a continuous hot water supply for house holders. Compared with traditional thermoelec

tric air conditioner, the system can cool the room with thermoelectric powered by PV, at the s

ame time, the water can be heated by the hot side of the TEC modules. Therefore, thermal en

ergy can be recovered from the hot side of the thermoelectric module. Moreover, the system c

an work as a water source thermo-electric heat pump for space cooling in summer and space

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heating in winter. This system can reduce indoor cooling and heating load and provide hot wa

ter supply for uses. Thus, the novel system can be applied in a vast field [4]

PROBLEM DEFINATION

The main aim of this project is to design and fabricate an air conditioning system working

on Peltier Effect and running on solar energy.

Basic function of air-cooler to maintain pleasant temperature inside the workspace by

controlling temperature and humidity of the surrounding.

SCOPE OF WORK

Different thermoelectric modeling approaches have been summarized in this review. The

simplified models reduce computational efforts at the cost of giving up some level of

modeling accuracy. Model selection is highly dependent on the modeling goal aimed. There

are three pathways that may lead to the enhancement of thermoelectric cooling devices’

performance:

1) Through the thermoelectric module design and optimization,

2) Through cooling system thermal design and optimization,

3) Through thermoelectric cooling system’s working condition improvement.

Typical applications of thermoelectric cooling have been summarized in five categories,

including domestic refrigeration, electronic cooling, scientific, and automobile applications.

However, thermoelectric cooling applications are not limited to these areas. More

applications are emerging when high quality thermoelectric materials have been developed

and the thermoelectric cooling devices are approaching higher performance efficiency.

OBJECTIVES

To design an eco-friendly air conditioner this will not be producing greenhouse gases.

Working on renewable source of energy.

Available for remote application

CONCLUSION

In this overview, we built up a Green AC working on the phenomenon called peltier effect.

The prepared model of solar cell driven, thermoelectric cooling system was designed and

tested experimentally. The following valuable information regarding an environmental

friendly cooling device is obtained.

This air conditioning unit does not produce any harmful green house and ozone depleting

gasses.

It uses solar energy as a power source so it does not need conventional electricity which is

produced from polluting thermal power plants.

This system is compact as compared to conventional air conditioning system.

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This system is free from bulky components like condenser and evaporator as this air

condition unit does not run on conventional thermodynamic cycles.

Noiseless operation and can be used as both winter and summer air conditioning unit

REFERANCES

1. Dongliang Zhao, Gang Tan*,” A review of thermoelectric cooling: Materials, modeling

and applications”, Applied Thermal Engineering 66 (2014) 15e24

2. D. Astrain a,*, J.G. Vi_an a, M. Dom_ınguez b,” Increase of COP in the thermoelectric

refrigeration by the optimization of heat dissipation”, Applied Thermal Engineering 23

(2003) 2183–2200

3. LimeiShena,b, Fu Xiaob,∗, Huanxin Chena, ShengweiWangb,” Investigation of a novel

thermoelectric radiant air-conditioning system”, Energy and Buildings 59 (2013) 123–132

4. Zhong Bing Liu, Ling Zhang∗, GuangCai Gong, YongQiangLuo, FangFangMeng,”

Experimental study and performance analysis of a solarthermoelectric air conditioner

with hot water supply”. Energy and Buildings 86 (2015) 619–625

5. S.B. Riffat *, S.A. Omer, Xiaoli Ma,” A novel thermoelectric refrigeration system

employing heat pipes and a phase change material: an experimental investigation”,

Renewable Energy 23 (2001) 313–323

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