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Comparative investigation of thermoelectric air-conditioners versus vapour compression and absorption air-conditioners.

Author(s) : RIFFAT S. B., QIU G.

Type of article: Article

Summary

This article compares the performance of three types of domestic air conditioners, namely the vapour-compression air conditioner (VCAC), the absorption air conditioner (AAC) and the thermoelectric air conditioner (TEAC). The basic cycles of the three types of air-conditioning systems are described and methods to calculate their coefficients of performance are presented. General specification data for each type of air conditioner are given, and performance characteristics are presented. The comparison shows that although VCACs have the advantages of high COP and low purchase price, use of these systems will be phased out due to their contribution to the greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. AACs are generally bulky, complex and expensive but operate on thermal energy, so their operational consumption is low. TEACs are environmentally friendly, simple and reliable but still very expensive at present. Their low COP is an additional factor limiting their application for domestic cooling. TEACs, however, have a large potential market as air conditioners for small enclosures, such as cars and submarine cabins, where power consumption would be low, or safety and reliability would be important.

Details

  • Original title: Comparative investigation of thermoelectric air-conditioners versus vapour compression and absorption air-conditioners.
  • Record ID : 2005-0909
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Applied Thermal Engineering - vol. 24 - n. 14-15
  • Publication date: 2004/10

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