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A novel thermoelectric refrigeration system employing heat pipes and a phase change material: an experimental investigation

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  • Riffat, S.B.
  • Omer, S.A.
  • Ma, Xiaoli

Abstract

This paper presents results of tests carried out to investigate the potential application of heat pipes and phase change materials for thermoelectric refrigeration. The work involved the design and construction of a thermoelectric refrigeration prototype. The performance of the thermoelectric refrigeration system was investigated for two different configurations. The first configuration employed a conventional heat sink system (bonded fin heat sink) on the cold side of the thermoelectric cells. The other configuration used an encapsulated phase change material in place of the conventional heat sink unit. Both configurations used heat pipe embedded fins as the heat sink on the hot side. Replacement of the conventional heat sink system with an encapsulated phase change material was found to improve the performance of the thermoelectric refrigeration system. In addition, it provided a storage capability that would be particularly useful for handling peak loads and overcoming losses during door openings and power-off periods. Results showed that the heat sink units employing heat pipe embedded fins were well suited to this application. Results also showed the importance of using a heat pipe system between the cold junction of the thermoelectric cells and the cold heat sink in order to prevent reverse heat flow in the event of power failure.

Suggested Citation

  • Riffat, S.B. & Omer, S.A. & Ma, Xiaoli, 2001. "A novel thermoelectric refrigeration system employing heat pipes and a phase change material: an experimental investigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 313-323.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:23:y:2001:i:2:p:313-323
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Oró, E. & de Gracia, A. & Castell, A. & Farid, M.M. & Cabeza, L.F., 2012. "Review on phase change materials (PCMs) for cold thermal energy storage applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 513-533.
    2. Diaz-Londono, Cesar & Enescu, Diana & Ruiz, Fredy & Mazza, Andrea, 2020. "Experimental modeling and aggregation strategy for thermoelectric refrigeration units as flexible loads," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Fisac, Miguel & Villasevil, Francesc X. & López, Antonio M., 2015. "Design of a thermoelectric generator with fast transient response," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 658-663.
    4. Liu, Di & Cai, Yang & Zhao, Fu-Yun, 2017. "Optimal design of thermoelectric cooling system integrated heat pipes for electric devices," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 403-413.
    5. Huang, Xiang & Alva, Guruprasad & Jia, Yuting & Fang, Guiyin, 2017. "Morphological characterization and applications of phase change materials in thermal energy storage: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 128-145.
    6. Makki, Adham & Omer, Siddig & Sabir, Hisham, 2015. "Advancements in hybrid photovoltaic systems for enhanced solar cells performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 658-684.
    7. Chaudhry, Hassam Nasarullah & Hughes, Ben Richard & Ghani, Saud Abdul, 2012. "A review of heat pipe systems for heat recovery and renewable energy applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 2249-2259.
    8. Enescu, Diana & Virjoghe, Elena Otilia, 2014. "A review on thermoelectric cooling parameters and performance," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 903-916.
    9. 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).
    10. Hermes, Christian J.L. & Barbosa, Jader R., 2012. "Thermodynamic comparison of Peltier, Stirling, and vapor compression portable coolers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 91(1), pages 51-58.
    11. Gulfam, Raza & Zhang, Peng & Meng, Zhaonan, 2019. "Advanced thermal systems driven by paraffin-based phase change materials – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 582-611.
    12. Xi, Hongxia & Luo, Lingai & Fraisse, Gilles, 2007. "Development and applications of solar-based thermoelectric technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(5), pages 923-936, June.
    13. Tyagi, Vineet Veer & Buddhi, D., 2007. "PCM thermal storage in buildings: A state of art," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 11(6), pages 1146-1166, August.
    14. Owoyele, Opeoluwa & Ferguson, Scott & O’Connor, Brendan T., 2015. "Performance analysis of a thermoelectric cooler with a corrugated architecture," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 184-191.
    15. Fang, Xiande & Xia, Lulu, 2010. "Heating performance investigation of a bidirectional partition fluid thermal diode," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 679-684.

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