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Thermoelectric technology assessment: final report.

Author(s) : Univ. Maryland, YANG B.

Type of monograph: Report

Summary

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by ARTI. Thermoelectric coolers are solid-state electronic devices that directly convert electricity to temperature difference. Without moving parts, thermoelectric coolers are inherently more reliable and require little to no maintenance. The lack of refrigerants carries obvious environmental and safety benefits. The use of thermoelectric devices and systems has been limited by their relative low energy conversion efficiency. Present commercial thermoelectric devices operate at about 10% of Carnot efficiency, whereas the efficiency of a compressor-based refrigerator increases with size: a kitchen refrigerator operates at about 30% of Carnot efficiency and the largest air conditioners for big buildings operate near 90%.

Details

  • Original title: Thermoelectric technology assessment: final report.
  • Record ID : 2009-1838
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Publication: Arti (air-conditioning and refrigeration technology institute) - United states/United states
  • Publication date: 2007/05
  • Source: Source: ARTI-10120-01; 188 p.; fig.; photogr.; tabl.; ref.

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