Transient Temperatures in a Thermoelectric Refrigerator Following a Step Change in Current

Abstract

This chapter elaborates transient temperatures in a thermoelectric refrigerator following a step change in current. It is also highlighted that the test results obtained from an experimental model that approximates the conditions of the mathematical model are also reported and compared with the analytical results. As the first step in establishing the controlling differential equation and boundary conditions, a number of restrictions were imposed upon the thermoelectric refrigerator. The chapter also outlines that the electric current was maintained constant, thermal capacity of the metal at the cold junction was considered, but the cold junction was insulated so no heat transfer by convection was permitted. An analytical expression is developed for the transient temperature distribution in the elements of a thermoelectric refrigerator following a step change in current. Certain assumptions were made in the derivation of this analytical expression including the assumption of constant values of each of the properties—the seebeck coefficient, the electrical resistivity and the thermal conductivity.