Optimization of thermoelectric modules for maximum cooling capacity

摘要

A theoretical investigation to optimize thermoelectric modules for maximization of cooling capacity is performed using a novel one-dimensional analytic model, in which the thermal resistances of heat exchangers as well as the thermal and electrical contact resistances inherent in the modules are taken into account. New dimensionless parameters are introduced to avoid the difficulties in optimizing actual (dimensional) cooling capacity encountered in previous dimensional analyses. It is shown that there exist an optimum thermoelement length and an optimum electric current which maximize the cooling capacity when the heat source temperature, heat sink temperature, the thermal resistances of heat exchangers and the contact resistances are given. The effects of the heat exchangers' thermal resistances and the contact resistances on the attainable maximum cooling capacity, COP, the optimum electric current and thermoelement length are shown.