A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module. (5th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kwon, Beomjin; Baek, Seung-Hyub; Kim, Seong Keun; Hyun, Dow-Bin; Kim, Jin-Sang
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 87(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2015-08-05
• Subjects: Thermoelectric module -- Cooling power -- Figure of merit -- Differential method; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Abstract: An accurate and rapid characterization of a thermoelectric module (TEM) is critical to understand the problems in module design and fabrication. We describe an apparatus and a method that directly measure the cooling performance of a TEM such as current for maximum cooling ( I max ), maximum cooling power ( Q c, max ), and maximum temperature difference (Δ T max ). The apparatus is designed based on a finite element model to ensure a simple heat flow measurement. We evaluate the module performance metrics based on differential measurement between the cooling powers with temperature difference across the module under transient conditions. The use of transient data reduces measurement time, and the use of a differential technique enables compensation of the thermal losses. The measured data fit well with conventional theoretical relations for the TEM performance metrics. We test a commercial TEM and validate the results using the Harman method. Highlights: We develop a differential method to measure thermoelectric module performance. Differential method compensates for thermal losses and reduces the experiment time. We develop a heat flow meter for the thermoelectric module measurement. We compare the direct measurement and Harman method.