Optimum allocation of heat transfer surface area for heating load and COP optimisation of a thermoelectric heat pump

Abstract

SYNOPSIS The combination of finite time thermodynamics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics is applied to analyse and optimise the performance of a thermoelectric heat pump, which is composed of multi-elements. For a fixed total heat transfer surface area of two heat exchangers, the ratio of heat transfer surface area of the high temperature side heat exchanger to the total heat transfer surface area of the heat exchangers is optimized for maximising the heating load and the coefficient of performance (COP) of a thermoelectric heat pump. The effects of various parameters on the optimum performance are analysed. The results may provide guidelines for the analysis and optimisation of practical thermoelectric heat pumps.