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Development of a thermoelectric refrigerator with two-phase thermosyphons and capillary lift.

Author(s) : VIÁN J. G., ASTRAIN D.

Type of article: Article

Summary

A thermoelectric domestic refrigerator has been developed, with a single compartment of 0.225 m3, for food preservation at 5°C. The cooling system is made up of two equal thermoelectric devices, each composed of a Peltier module (50 W) with its hot side in contact with a two-phase and natural convection thermosyphon (TSV) and a two-phase and capillary lift thermosyphon (TPM), in contact with the cold side. The entire refrigerator has been simulated and designed using a computational model, based on the finite difference method. Subsequently an experimental optimization phase of the thermosyphons was carried out, until thermal resistance values of R(TSV)= 0.256 K/W and R(TPM)= 0.323 K/W were obtained. These values were lower than those obtained with finned heat sinks. Finally, a functional prototype of a thermoelectric refrigerator was built, and the results which were obtained demonstrate that it is able to maintain a thermal drop (ambient temperature-inside temperature) of 19°C. The electric power consumption at nominal conditions was 45 W, reaching a COP value of 0.45. The study demonstrated that by incorporating these two-phase devices into thermoelectric refrigeration increases the COP by 66%, compared with those which use finned heat sinks. [Reprinted with permission from Elsevier. Copyright, 2008].

Details

  • Original title: Development of a thermoelectric refrigerator with two-phase thermosyphons and capillary lift.
  • Record ID : 2009-2049
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Applied Thermal Engineering - vol. 29 - n. 10
  • Publication date: 2009/07
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.09.018

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