Experimental Study of a Peltier-Based Thermoelectric Refrigerator with Waste Heat Utilization

Abstract

This paper investigates thermoelectric refrigeration as a promising alternative to traditional refrigeration systems. The primary objective is to explore the use of the Peltier effect, where a temperature difference between two dissimilar conductors generates an electromotive force, opposite to the Seebeck effect. Three Peltier modules were used, each consisting of p-type and n-type semiconductor elements sandwiched between ceramic plates. Three test cases were experimented focusing on the activation of 1,2, and 3 modules respectively. When a DC voltage is applied, heat is absorbed on one side of the module and released on the other. The thermoelectric refrigeration system was designed with heat sinks and fans to dissipate heat from the cooling chamber to the external environment efficiently. The chamber was constructed with a dual-layer design, featuring polystyrene insulation on the interior and acrylic on the exterior, ensuring effective retention of cooling. Additionally, the excess heat generated by the thermoelectric refrigerator was repurposed for secondary applications, such as heating food products in an adjacent cabin, thus minimizing waste output. For each of the three cases, the temperature variations over time for both hot and cold cabin were recorded, and the coefficient of performance (COP) was calculated and compared.