Analysis of Single-Phase Convective Heat Transfer and System COP at Higher Power Levels in Thermoelectric-Based Hydronic Cooling and Heating Device

Abstract

Experiments were performed on a heat exchanger equipped with multiple thermoelectric (TE) modules. The TE-HX serves as the basic system component in a simple hydronic modular Peltier heat pump system designed to provide chilled or hot water for domestic use (or supplementary building climate control) of small residences [1]. The present work focuses on the detailed convection analysis inside the TE-HX component when 10 thermoelectric modules are utilized. The local heat transfer coefficient at different points along the channel are measured at steady-state, first, when a continuous heater is installed and then when replaced with 10 TE modules. The experimental heat transfer coefficients obtained are compared with available empirical correlations for “transition” (3000 < ReDh < 7000) turbulent flow inside the channel with fair-to-good results. Next, the resulting coefficient-of-performance of the TE heat pump system is measured with its value depending both on system input power and water flow rate. Testing showed that performance degradation, i.e. reduced COPs, occurred when operated at higher power levels but remains satisfactory for up to 688 Watts with higher flow rate.