Innovative Energy & Research
Open Access

This paper deals with the explanation of the development of a project which is aimed at providing air-conditioning systems economically as well as eco-friendly. It utilizes the thermoelectric effect for producing a cooling effect. Since there is no refrigerant used in this system, therefore, it does not contribute to ozone layer depletion. However, it has a low coefficient of performance when compared with vapour compression systems [1].

Components

The following components are directly or indirectly related to this system.

1. Peltier module (TEC1-12706)

2. Heat sink

3. Muffin fan

4. Water reservoir

5. Mini water pump

6. Power supplies

7. Copper tube winding

8. Flexible PVC tube

9. Main Fan

Construction

The above diagram shows the proper arrangement of the various components used in this project. Now, we shall begin step-by-step (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of thermoelectric cooler.

1. Firstly, the fan used for forced convection is mounted on a stand of 100 mm Length above the ground level for proper dissipation of heat.

2. Two Aluminium Heat Sink is placed above the ambient zone of the fan.

3. On the flat surface of the heat sink, two Peltier modules are pasted such that their hot side makes proper physical contact with the flat surface of the heat sink.

4. Peltier modules are connected electrically in parallel to the DC 12V 2A power supply.

5. The base of the reservoir has two squared holes to accommodate Peltier modules and to avoid leakage of the water a suitable adhesive has been used.

6. This reservoir has been placed above the heat sink.

7. Water is filled in the reservoir.

8. The reservoir has a mini water pump at its base.

9. PVC Pipe is connected to the two ends of the Copper Tube Winding.

10. One end of the PVC pipe is connected to the pump.

11. Another end of the PVC pipe is placed inside the reservoir to provide a way for the water to come out from the winding.

12. Copper winding is mounted on the face of the table fan.

Assembly

Components are assembled in the following manner

1. In the first step muffin fan is fixed on the prepared stand of 100 mm height as shown below utilizing screws and nuts (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Showing step 1 of assembly.

2. In step 2 Heat sinks are assembled on the muffin with the help of m-seal (adhesive) as shown below (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Showing Step 2 of assembly.

3. In step 3 of the assembly thermopiles or Peltier modules are placed on the bottom surface of the reservoir by cutting a suitable geometrical shape and placing the modules at the cut-out portion by suitable adhesive such that there is no leakage as shown below (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Showing step 3 of assembly.

4. In step 4, Thermally insulated (Thermal insulation has been achieved by pasting thermocol on the walls of the reservoir) and thermopiles fitted reservoir is placed on the heat sink as shown below (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Showing step 4 of assembly.

5. In step 5 PVC tube is connected to the outlet of the mini pump as shown below (Figure 6).

Figure 6: Showing step 5 of assembly.

6. In step 6 mini pump fitted with the PVC tube is placed inside the reservoir and reservoir is closed with the help of a thermocol sheet and PVC tube is taken out of the thermocol sheet as shown in the figure below (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Showing step 6 of assembly.

7. In this step PVC Pipe from the mini water pump is connected to the copper tubing as shown in the figure below (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Showing step 7 of assembly.

Working

Woking of this system can be explained by considering the following points.

1. On passing a direct current of specified values through thermopiles results in the formation of hot and cold zone on the opposite faces of each thermopile [2].

2. Since it has been cleared from the construction of this project that the thermopiles (TEC1-12706) are placed on the bottom of the reservoir in such a manner that the cold side of each thermopile makes direct physical contact with the liquid or water present in the reservoir, this results in cooling of the liquid.

3. The cold liquid or water is now pumped up with the help of a mini-pump placed inside the reservoir through a PVC pipe.

4. PVC pipe provides cold liquid or water away to the copper tubing placed in front of the fan.

5. Cold liquid or water while flowing through the copper tubes absorbs heat from the copper tube and hence ultimately the copper tubes are cooled.

6. The temperature of copper tubing is low than the surrounding atmosphere so it absorbs heat under the effect of the principle of calorimetry from the air coming out of the main fan.

7. In this way, we can get cold air.

8. Now, we shall begin with the explanation of the removal of heat generated on the hot side of the thermopile.

9. For this purpose, we shall consider the heat sinks which are provided below the reservoir in such a manner that there exists a physical contact between the flat surface of the heat sink and the hot side of the thermopile [3].

10. The heat generated on the hot side of the thermopile flows through the heat sink following the equation of the thermal conduction.

11. This results in the heating of the heat sinks.

12. Now, the muffin fan placed just below the heat sink as shown in the assembly of the project comes into action it sucks air from the air voids in the heat sink [4].

13. Since the air present in the air voids of the heat sink is hot due to the heat of the heat sink [5].

14. When this air is sucked by the muffin fan then fresh air from the atmosphere occupies the space of air voids present in the heat sink. And again the same process occurs.

15. This process goes on as long as there is suction produced by the muffin fan.

16. In this way heat generated on the hot surface of the thermopile is dissipated into the atmosphere.

Advantages

• Eco-friendly

• No moving parts.

• Cheap

• Portable.

• Compact in size.

• Low power consumption

Disadvantages

• Low efficiency.

• An appropriate cooling system is essential.