Application of thermoelectric as an instant running-water cooler; experimental study under different operating conditions

Abstract

Current water coolers contain a water reservoir which always deal with hygienic problems because of accumulation of bacteria, etc. Furthermore, based on sanitary laws, the tubes contained CFC (in current water coolers) cannot be placed inside the water fluid and must be welded on the outer surface of the reservoir which causes reduction of the performance of cooling process. Besides, the limit capacity of reservoirs does not allow them to provide continues chilled water. Hence, this paper hopes to clarify the fabrication feasibility of a water cooler which provides continuous-instant chilled water (without requirement of any reservoir) by thermoelectric power and find its appropriate working condition. In other words, such cooler does not use electrical power while nobody requires chilled water. Once the valve of the cooler is opened, the running water fluid is directly and instantaneously cooled after passing through a thermoelectric pack which overcomes all aforesaid issues. For this aim, two water flows are injected into the two sides of a novel thermoelectric unit and a comprehensive experimental analysis of the system is performed under different operating conditions. The amounts of outlet temperatures, surfaces-temperature, COP, heat transfer rate, etc. are evaluated and discussed to find the suitable working condition. It was concluded that the feasibility of instant water cooler is possible with a compatible value of COP if the value of effective parameters are selected appropriately.