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Experimental evaluation of a prototype thermoelectric system integrated with PCM (phase change material) for space cooling

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  • Zhao, Dongliang
  • Tan, Gang

Abstract

A prototype thermoelectric system integrated with PCM (phase change material) heat storage unit for space cooling has been introduced in this work. The PCM heat storage functions as cooling source and carries, partially at least, the cooling load during cooling operation. A simplified analytical model for the thermoelectric module has been adopted to investigate the theoretical performance characteristics of the modules. The experimental test in a reduced-scale chamber has achieved 7 °C temperature difference between “indoor” and “outdoor” environments and realized an average cooling COP (coefficient of performance) of 0.87 for the thermoelectric cooling system, with the maximum cooling COP of 1.22. Another comparison test for efficacy of PCM heat storage unit shows that 35.3% electrical energy has been saved from using PCM heat storage. During PCM charging (melting) process, natural convection has been observed playing a key effect factor of heat transfer in PCM.

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  • Zhao, Dongliang & Tan, Gang, 2014. "Experimental evaluation of a prototype thermoelectric system integrated with PCM (phase change material) for space cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 658-666.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:68:y:2014:i:c:p:658-666
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.01.090
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    8. Cai, Yang & Hong, Bing-Hua & Wu, Wei-Xiong & Wang, Wei-Wei & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2022. "Active cooling performance of a PCM-based thermoelectric device: Dynamic characteristics and parametric investigations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    9. Madruga, Santiago & Mendoza, Carolina, 2022. "Introducing a new concept for enhanced micro-energy harvesting of thermal fluctuations through the Marangoni effect," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    10. Sadighi Dizaji, Hamed & Jafarmadar, Samad & Khalilarya, Shahram & Moosavi, Amin, 2016. "An exhaustive experimental study of a novel air-water based thermoelectric cooling unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 357-366.
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    14. Liu, Di & Zhao, Fu-Yun & Yang, Hongxing & Tang, Guang-Fa, 2015. "Theoretical and experimental investigations of thermoelectric heating system with multiple ventilation channels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 458-468.
    15. Mosaffa, A.H. & Garousi Farshi, L. & Infante Ferreira, C.A. & Rosen, M.A., 2014. "Advanced exergy analysis of an air conditioning system incorporating thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 945-952.
    16. Liu, Di & Zhao, Fu-Yun & Yang, Hong-Xing & Tang, Guang-Fa, 2015. "Thermoelectric mini cooler coupled with micro thermosiphon for CPU cooling system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 29-36.
    17. Nie, Binjian & She, Xiaohui & Du, Zheng & Xie, Chunping & Li, Yongliang & He, Zhubing & Ding, Yulong, 2019. "System performance and economic assessment of a thermal energy storage based air-conditioning unit for transport applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    18. Nie, Binjian & Palacios, Anabel & Zou, Boyang & Liu, Jiaxu & Zhang, Tongtong & Li, Yunren, 2020. "Review on phase change materials for cold thermal energy storage applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    19. Irshad, Kashif & Habib, Khairul & Basrawi, Firdaus & Saha, Bidyut Baran, 2017. "Study of a thermoelectric air duct system assisted by photovoltaic wall for space cooling in tropical climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 504-522.
    20. Antonio Real-Fernández & Joaquín Navarro-Esbrí & Adrián Mota-Babiloni & Ángel Barragán-Cervera & Luis Domenech & Fernando Sánchez & Angelo Maiorino & Ciro Aprea, 2019. "Modeling of a PCM TES Tank Used as an Alternative Heat Sink for a Water Chiller. Analysis of Performance and Energy Savings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-18, September.
    21. Ma, Xiaoli & Zhang, Yufeng & Han, Zhonghe & Zang, Ningbo & Liu, Zhijian, 2023. "Performance modelling on a thermoelectric air conditioning system using high power heat sinks and promoting waste heat utilization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    22. Zuazua-Ros, Amaia & Martín-Gómez, César & Ibañez-Puy, Elia & Vidaurre-Arbizu, Marina & Gelbstein, Yaniv, 2019. "Investigation of the thermoelectric potential for heating, cooling and ventilation in buildings: Characterization options and applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 229-239.
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