Evaluation on the applicability of thermoelectric air cooling systems for buildings with thermoelectric material optimization

摘要

High-performance thermoelectric materials are urgently required to enhance the applicability of thermoelectric-air-cooling systems in buildings. However, the specific impact of material properties for building application is still lack, which is vital to pertinently select and improve materials. Therefore, this study proposed a sensitivity analysis method that aims to provide guidance for the optimization of thermoelectric materials and evaluate the enhancement potential of energy performance of thermoelectric air cooling systems. A mathematical model of thermoelectric air cooling systems was utilized and experimentally validated. The sensitivity of three thermoelectric properties, namely the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity on the cooling performance were investigated. Furthermore, the optimal relationship of the properties to attain the maximum cooling coefficient of performance was also analyzed. Results suggested that the cooling coefficient of performance of thermoelectric air cooling system was more sensitive to the Seebeck coefficient, and the maximum value was determined by the figure of merit value. When the figure of merit value increased to 3, the cooling performance of thermoelectric air cooling systems could increase by more than 150% and became comparable to conventional heat pump systems. This demonstrated the great application prospect and energy-saving potential of thermoelectric air cooling systems for buildings.(c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.