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Design and experimental investigation of portable solar thermoelectric refrigerator

Author

Listed:
  • Abdul-Wahab, Sabah A.
  • Elkamel, Ali
  • Al-Damkhi, Ali M.
  • Al-Habsi, Is'haq A.
  • Al-Rubai'ey', Hilal S.
  • Al-Battashi, Abdulaziz K.
  • Al-Tamimi, Ali R.
  • Al-Mamari, Khamis H.
  • Chutani, Muhammad U.

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to design and build an affordable solar thermoelectric refrigerator for the Bedouin people (e.g. deserts) living in remote parts of Oman where electricity is still not available. The refrigerator could be used to store perishable items and facilitate the transportation of medications as well as biological material that must be stored at low temperatures to maintain effectiveness. The design of the solar-powered refrigerator is based on the principles of a thermoelectric module (i.e., Peltier effect) to create a hot side and a cold side. The cold side of the thermoelectric module is utilized for refrigeration purposes; provide cooling to the refrigerator space. On the other hand, the heat from the hot side of the module is rejected to ambient surroundings by using heat sinks and fans. The designed solar thermoelectric refrigerator was experimentally tested for the cooling purpose. The results indicated that the temperature of the refrigeration was reduced from 27°C to 5°C in approximately 44min. The coefficient of performance of the refrigerator (COPR) was calculated and found to be about 0.16.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdul-Wahab, Sabah A. & Elkamel, Ali & Al-Damkhi, Ali M. & Al-Habsi, Is'haq A. & Al-Rubai'ey', Hilal S. & Al-Battashi, Abdulaziz K. & Al-Tamimi, Ali R. & Al-Mamari, Khamis H. & Chutani, Muhammad U., 2009. "Design and experimental investigation of portable solar thermoelectric refrigerator," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 30-34.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:34:y:2009:i:1:p:30-34
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.04.026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dai, Y.J. & Wang, R.Z. & Ni, L., 2003. "Experimental investigation on a thermoelectric refrigerator driven by solar cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 949-959.
    2. 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.
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    5. Ullah, K.R. & Saidur, R. & Ping, H.W. & Akikur, R.K. & Shuvo, N.H., 2013. "A review of solar thermal refrigeration and cooling methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 499-513.
    6. Zeb, K. & Ali, S.M. & Khan, B. & Mehmood, C.A. & Tareen, N. & Din, W. & Farid, U. & Haider, A., 2017. "A survey on waste heat recovery: Electric power generation and potential prospects within Pakistan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1142-1155.
    7. 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.
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    11. Afshar, O. & Saidur, R. & Hasanuzzaman, M. & Jameel, M., 2012. "A review of thermodynamics and heat transfer in solar refrigeration system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(8), pages 5639-5648.
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