Giani Zail Singh Campus College of Eng.

& Technology

Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University

Bathinda (Punjab)

PROJECT REPORT
ON
THERMOELETRIC REFRIGRATOR

Project guide: -
Er. Vishavdeep Jindal
(Associate professor)
(Deptt of E.E.)

SUBMITTED BY: -
Serial no. Name Roll no.

1 Sukhpal singh 1313841

2 Vikesh gupta 1313844
3 Shikha bansal 1313838
4 Manpreet kaur 1313821

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 ACKNOWLWDGEMENT
We wish to express my sincere gratitude towards my college G.Z.S Campus of
Engineering and Technology for providing me an opportunity to present my major project on
“THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGRATOR”

We sincerely thanks to Er. Vishavdeep Jindal (associate professor) for their guidance and
motivation. They impart us valuable knowledge about our major project. We wish to show our gratitude
toward our project in change for his constant efforts and making clarity of the subject.

We also thanks DR. Amit Kumar Manocha H.O.D (Department of Electrical Eng.) of GZSCCET
BATHINDA for providing us an opportunity to embark on this.

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 ABSTRACT

Refrigerator and air conditioners are the most energy consuming home appliances and for this
reason many researchers had performed work to enhance performance of the refrigeration systems. Most
of the research work done so far deals with an objective of low energy consumption and refrigeration
effect enhancement. Thermoelectric refrigeration is one of the techniques used for producing
refrigeration effect. Thermoelectric devices are developed based on Peltier and Seeback effect which has
experienced a major advances and developments in recent years. The coefficient of performance of the
thermoelectric refrigeration is less when it is used alone, hence thermoelectric refrigeration is often used
with other methods of refrigeration. This paper presents a review of some work been done on the
thermoelectric refrigeration over the years. Some of the research and development work carried out by
different researchers on TER system has been thoroughly reviewed in this paper. The study envelopes
the various applications of TER system and development of devices. This paper summarizes the
advancement in thermoelectric refrigeration, thermoelectric materials, design methodologies, application
in domestic appliances and performance enhancement techniques based on the literature.

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 INTRODUCTION
Conventional cooling systems such as those used in refrigerators utilize a compressor and a
working fluid to transfer heat. Thermal energy is absorbed and released as the working Fluid undergoes
expansion and compression and changes phase from liquid to vapor and back, respectively.
Semiconductor thermoelectric coolers (also known as Peltier coolers) offer several advantages over
conventional systems. They are entirely solid-state devices, with no moving parts; this makes them
rugged, reliable, and quiet. They use no ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons, potentially offering a more
environmentally responsible alternative to conventional refrigeration. They can be extremely compact,
much more so than compressor-based systems. Precise temperature control (< ± 0.1 °C) can be achieved
with Peltier coolers. However, their efficiency is low compared to conventional refrigerators. Thus, they
are used in niche applications where their unique advantages outweigh their low efficiency. Although
some large-scale applications have been considered (on submarines and surface vessels), Peltier coolers
are generally used in applications where small size is needed and the cooling demands are not too great,
such as for cooling electronic components (Astrain and Vian, 2005). Objective of this project is to design
thermoelectric Refrigerator Utilize Peltier effect to refrigerate and maintain a specified temperature,
perform temperature control in the range 5 °C to 35 °C. Interior cooled volume of 5 Liter and Retention
for next half hour.

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 History
Thermoelectricity was discovered and developed in 1820-1920 in Western Europe, with much of
work centered in Berlin. The first important discovery related to thermoelectricity occurred in 1823.
German scientist Thomas Seebeck found that a circuit made from two dissimilar metals and junctions of
the same kept at two different temperatures, produces thermoelectric force which is responsible for flow
of the current through module. Now this invention is known as Seebeck effect. In 1834, a French
watchmaker and physicist, Jean Charles Athanase Peltier invented thermoelectric cooling effect also
known as Peltier effect. Peltier stated that electric current flows through two dissimilar metals would
produce heating and cooling at the junctions. The true nature of Peltier effect was made clear by Emil
Lenz in 1838, Lenz demonstrated that water could be frozen when placed on a bismuth-antimony junction
by passage of an electric current through the junction. He also observed that if the current was reversed
the ice could be melted. In 1909 and 1911 Altenkirch [6] give the basic theory of thermoelectric. His
work explained that thermoelectric cooling materials needed to have high Seebeck coefficients, good
electrical conductivity to minimize Joule heating, and low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer
from junctions to junctions. In 1949 Loffe developed theory of semiconductors thermo-elements and in
1954 Goldsmid and Douglas demonstrated that cooling from ordinary ambient temperatures down to
below 0°C was possible. Rowe, shortly after the development of practical semiconductors in 1950's,
Bismuth Telluride began to be the primary material used in the thermoelectric cooling.

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 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THERMOELECTRIC MODULE

Thermoelectricity is based upon following basic principles:

1. Seebeck effect: -

In 1821, Thomas Seebeck found that an electric current would flow continuously in a
closed circuit made up of two dissimilar metals, if the junctions of the metals were maintained at two
different temperatures. Thermoelectric power supply generators are based on the Seebeck effect which
is based on voltage generation along a conductor subjected to a gradient of temperature. When a
temperature gradient is applied to a conductor, an electromotive force is produced. The voltage
difference generated is proportional to the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module
between the two junctions, the hot and the cold one.

ΔV α ΔT

SeeBeck Coefficient:

The Seebeck coefficient is defined as the ratio of the voltage difference to the temperature
gradient. If the temperature difference ΔT between the two ends of a material is small, then the Seebeck
coefficient of a material is defined as:

αab = ΔV /ΔT

αab = αa - αb

αa & αb is the Seebeck Coefficient with units of Volts per Kelvin for metals A & B

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 2. Peltier Effect:

In 1834, a French watchmaker and part time physicist, Jean Peltier found that an electrical
current would produce a temperature gradient at the junction of two dissimilar metals. The Peltier effect
is the main contributor to all thermoelectric cooling applications. It is responsible for heat removal and
heat absorbance. It states that when an electric current flows across two dissimilar conductors, the
junction of the conductors will either absorb or emit heat depending on the flow of the electric current.
The heat absorbed or released at the junction is proportional to the input electric current. The constant of
proportionality is called the Peltier coefficient.

Peltier Coefficient:

When a current is made to flow through a junction between two conductors A and B, heat
may be generated (or removed) at the junction. The Peltier heat generated at the junction per unit time,
Q , is equal to;

QαI

Q = πabI

πab = πa - πb

where (πa & πb) is the Peltier coefficient of conductor A & B, and I is the electric current (from A to B).

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 Components used

1. Peltier module
2. 12V DC Supply
3. 12V DC Fan
4. Heat sink

1. Peltier module: -
Thermoelectric cooling uses the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction
of two different types of materials. A Peltier cooler, heater, or thermoelectric heat pump is a solid-
state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side of the device to the other, with
consumption of electrical energy, depending on the direction of the current. Such an instrument is
also called a Peltier device, Peltier heat pump, solid state refrigerator, or thermoelectric cooler (TEC).
It can be used either for heating or for cooling, although in practice the main application is cooling. It
can also be used as a temperature controller that either heats or cools.

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Construction: -

Two unique semiconductors, one n-type and one p-type, are used because they need to
have different electron densities. The semiconductors are placed thermally in parallel to each other and
electrically in series and then joined with a thermally conducting plate on each side. When a voltage is
applied to the free ends of the two semiconductors there is a flow of DC current across the junction of
the semiconductors causing a temperature difference. The side with the cooling plate absorbs heat
which is then moved to the other side of the device where the heat sink is. TECs are typically
connected side by side and sandwiched between two ceramic plates. The cooling ability of the total unit
is then proportional to the number of TECs in it

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 2. 12v DC Power Supply: -
A power supply is an electronic device that supplies electric energy to an electrical load.
The primary function of a power supply is to convert one form of electrical energy to another and, as a
result, power supplies are sometimes referred to as electric power converters. Some power supplies are
discrete, stand-alone devices, whereas others are built into larger devices along with their loads.
Examples of the latter include power supplies found in desktop computers and consumer electronics
devices.

Every power supply must obtain the energy it supplies to its load, as well as any energy it
consumes while performing that task, from an energy source. Depending on its design, a power supply
may obtain energy from various types of energy sources, including electrical energy transmission
systems, energy storage devices such as a batteries and fuel cells, electromechanical systems such as
generators and alternators, solar power converters, or another power supply.

All power supplies have a power input, which receives energy from the energy source, and a
power output that delivers energy to the load. In most power supplies the power input and output consist
of electrical connectors or hardwired circuit connections, though some power supplies employ wireless
energy transfer in lieu of galvanic connections for the power input or output. Some power supplies have
other types of inputs and outputs as well, for functions such as external monitoring and control.

Here in our project we use 12v DC power supply which coverts 220v AC to 12v DC.

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3. 12V DC Fan: -
A fan is a machine used to create flow within a fluid, typically a gas such as air.
The fan consists of a rotating arrangement of vanes or blades which act on the fluid. The rotating
assembly of blades and hub is known as an impeller, a rotor, or a runner. Usually, it is contained
within some form of housing or case. This may direct the airflow or increase safety by preventing
objects from contacting the fan blades. Most fans are powered by electric motors, but other
sources of power may be used, including hydraulic motors and internal combustion engines. Fans
produce flows with high volume and low pressure (although higher than ambient pressure), as
opposed to compressors which produce high pressures at a comparatively low volume.

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 4. Heat Sink: -

A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic
or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from
the device, thereby allowing regulation of the device's temperature at optimal levels. In computers, heat
sinks are used to cool central processing units or graphics processors. Heat sinks are used with high-
power semiconductor devices such as power transistors and optoelectronics such as lasers and light
emitting diodes (LEDs), where the heat dissipation ability of the component itself is insufficient to
moderate its temperature.

A heat sink is designed to maximize its surface area in contact with the cooling medium
surrounding it, such as the air. Air velocity, choice of material, protrusion design and surface treatment
are factors that affect the performance of a heat sink. Heat sink attachment methods and thermal interface
materials also affect the die temperature of the integrated circuit. Thermal adhesive or thermal grease
improve the heat sink's performance by filling air gaps between the heat sink and the heat spreader on
the device. A heat sink is usually made out of copper and/or aluminium. Copper is used because it has
many desirable properties for thermally efficient and durable heat exchangers. First and foremost, copper
is an excellent conductor of heat. This means that copper's high thermal conductivity allows heat to pass
through it quickly. Aluminium is used in applications where weight is a big concern.

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 DEVELOPMENT OF THERMO ELECTRIC DEVICE

1. Thermoelectric Cooler
The thermoelectric cooler is a cooling device based on TER principle which has been
widely used in military, aerospace, instrument, and industrial or commercial products, as a cooling device
for specific purposes. The schematic of the thermoelectric cooler is shown in below fig. Huang et.al.
developed a system design method of TE cooler in their study which utilizes the performance curve of
the TE module.

Jiajitsawat investigated theoretically & experimentally the effect of combination of TER system
& DEAC system. For this he had fabricate a portable hybrid thermoelectric-direct evaporative air cooling
system and tested. The schematic of the prototype is shown in Figure below. The operating principle of
the prototype is the conversion of sensible heat of the hot air to the latent heat of water vaporization.
Installation of thermoelectric refrigeration system is to remove the sensible heat from the water in the
container for further improvement of the air cooling capacity.

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 Experiment was carried out in three ways: Fan operation, Direct evaporative air cooling operation
& TER-DEAC operation. When DEAC system is in active, the cooling performance of the prototype
increases by 20% & is up to 30% with higher fan speed. The results of TE installation can improve the
cooling performance of the DEAC system by 10% and is up to 20% with higher fan speed. Therefore,
the implementation of TE to DEAC seems to be reliable and possible for commercial application.

2. Thermoelectric Refrigerator: -

TE modules are also used for constructing thermoelectric refrigerator. Although the COP
of a TE module is lower than that of conventional vapor compression refrigeration system, efforts have
been made to develop thermoelectric domestic refrigerators to exploit the advantages associated with this
solid-state energy conversion technology. The basic configuration of a thermoelectric refrigerator is
shown schematically in Figure below. It consists of a refrigerated cabinet, a Peltier module sandwiched
by two heat exchangers, a D.C. power supply and a temperature controller. Although the basic structure
of a thermoelectric refrigerator is essentially the same, their configurations may differ significantly
depending on the heat exchangers employed.

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 The thermoelectric refrigeration
system is feasible for outdoor purpose in
cooperation with solar cells. Dai et.al
conducted experimental investigation &
performance analysis on prototype of a
thermoelectric refrigerator driven by solar
cells, which is mainly configured by the
array of solar cells, controller, storage
battery, rectifier and thermoelectric
refrigerator, is shown in Figure.

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 In daytime, solar cells receive solar energy and turn it into electric power supplied to
thermoelectric refrigerator by means of photovoltaic effect. If the amount of electric power production
is large enough, the power surplus can be accumulated in storage battery besides driving the refrigerator.
If the solar cells cannot produce enough electric power, for example, in cloudy or rainy days, the storage
battery may offer a makeup. Experimental results show that the performance of solar cells driven
thermoelectric refrigerator is strongly dependent on the intensity of solar insulation and the temperature
difference of hot and cold sides between the thermoelectric module, etc. The studied refrigerator can
maintain the temperature in refrigerated space at 5-100C, and has a COP about 0.3 under given
conditions.

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ADVANTAGES OF THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION

 COMPACT SIZE: Very little space is required by the cooling system. The thermoelectric
module is the size of a matchbook.

 LIGHTWEIGHT: A 36 qt. capacity unit weighs only 17 lbs. PORTABLE: Carries

with one hand and is unaffected by motion or tilting.

 LOWER PRICED: 20% to 40% less expensive than compressor or absorption units.

 LOW BATTERY: Averages approximately 4.5 amps - less than your cars headlights

DRAWBACKS OF THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION

 PERFORMANCE: Koolatron coolers maintain "cool" temperatures in ambient up to 90

degrees F.

 HEATING OPTION: Koolatrons can be operated in the heating mode for short
periods of time. Specialty Heater ONLY versions of our insulated boxes are used by Meals on
Wheels, other senior hot meal programs, school hot meal programs and by caterers all across
the country.

 SAFETY: No open flames, propane, or toxic refrigerants used.

 RELIABILITY: Thermoelectric have a 40-year proven track record in military,

aerospace, laboratory, and now consumer applications.

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  EASY SERVICE: Most parts are easily replaced by the end-user with a screw driver.

COMPARISON OF THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION

and OTHER METHODS OF REFRIGERATION

 THERMOELECTRIC:

Cooling is achieved electronically using the "Peltier" effect - heat is pumped with
electrical energy.

 COMPRESSOR:

Cooling is achieved by vaporising a refrigerant (such as freon) inside the refrigerator -

heat is absorbed by the refrigerant through the principle of the "latent heat of vaporisation" and released
outside the refrigerator where the vapour is condensed and compressed into a liquid again. Uses
mechanical energy.

 ABSORPTION:

Cooling is achieved by vaporizing a refrigerant (ammonia gas) inside the refrigerator by

"boiling" it out of a water ammonia solution with a heat source (electric or propane). Uses the principle
of "latent heat of vaporization". The vapour is condensed and re-absorbed by the ammonia solution
outside the refrigerator. Uses heat energy.

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 COMPARISON OF THE FEATURES OF ALL THREE
SYSTEMS:

 COMPACTNESS: Koolatron thermoelectrics are the most compact because of the small
size of the cooling components - cooling module / heat sink / cold sink.

 WEIGHT: Koolatron units weigh 1/3 to 1/2 as much as the other units because of the
lightweight cooling system - no heavy compressor.

 PORTABILITY: Koolatrons are the most portable because they are light enough to carry
with one hand and are not affected by motion or tilting. Compressor models are quite heavy and
the absorption models must be kept level within 2 - 3 degrees.

 PRICE: Koolatron coolers cost 20% - 40% less than the equivalent sized compressor or
absorption units available for recreational use.

 BATTERY DRAIN: Koolatron coolers have a maximum current drain on 12 volts of 4.5
amps. Compressor portables draw slightly more current when running but may average slightly
less depending on thermostatic control settings. Absorption portables draw 6.5 to 7.5 amps when
running and may average about 5 amps draw.

 BATTERY PROTECTION: Consider the "Battery Saver" option as discussed in the

previous section.

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 COOLING PERFORMANCE: Compressor systems are potentially the most
efficient in hot weather. Some models will perform as a portable freezer and will refrigerate in
ambient temperatures of up to 110 degrees F. Koolatron units will refrigerate in sustained ambient
temperatures of up to 95 degrees F. If they are kept full, they will refrigerate satisfactorily even
if peak daytime temperatures reach 110 degrees F because the contents temperature will lag
behind the ambient. The food will be just starting to warm up when the air cools off in the evening
which will bring the food temperature back down to normal. Absorption type refrigerators
provide almost the same cooling performance as Koolatron portables but are less efficient at high
ambients.

 FREEZING ICE CUBES: Compressor systems will usually make a quantity of small
ice cubes except in very hot weather. Gas absorption systems can do the same except in hot
weather. Koolatron thermoelectric units do not make ice cubes but can preserve them in a plastic
container for 2 - 3 days which is often adequate for most applications.

 SAFETY: Koolatron systems are completely safe because they use no gases or open flames
and run on just 12 volts. Compressor systems can leak freon which can be extremely dangerous
especially if heated. Absorption systems may use propane which can be extremely dangerous in
the event of a leak.

 RELIABILITY: Koolatrons thermoelectric modules do not wear out or deteriorate with

use. They have been used for military and aerospace applications for years because of their
reliability and other unique features. Compressors and their motors are both subject to wear and
freon-filled coils are subject to leakage and costly repairs. Absorption units are somewhat
temperamental and may require expert servicing from time to time, especially if jarred when
travelling.

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 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE
The objective project is to achieve the long term cooling in case of power failure for refrigerator. A TER
Cooling system is has been designed and developed to provide active cooling with help of single stage
12 V TE module is used to provide adequate cooling.

First the cooling load calculations for this TER compartment considered under study were presented.
Simulation tests in laboratory have validated the theoretical design parameters and established the
feasibility of providing cooling with single stage thermoelectric cooler was tested in the environmental
chamber. As TER not available in open market which we can retain cooling at case of power outage due
to high current carrying capacity.

The retention time achieved was 52 min with the designed module in this project. In order to achieve the
higher retention time, another alternative was incorporate. This consists the additional heater on heat
sink. The highest retention time achieved was 57 mins.

Future Scope
With recent development taking place in field of thermoelectric and nanoscience different
thermoelectric material with high temperature difference to be explored this will further help to reduce
the temperature, current below and can also perform better at higher ambient conditions. To improve the
power retention in this thermoelectric cooler sandwich heater needs to be explored with quick switching

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mechanism from thermoelectric cell off state of heater to on state, so that temperature drop in
thermoelectric cell can be reduced.

REFRENCES

WWW.GOOGLE.CO.IN

WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM

WWW.IJSEAS.COM

WWW.ENGINEERSEDGE.WEEBLY.COM

WWW.TETECH.COM

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