A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module

Beomjin Kwon; Seung Hyub Baek; Seong Keun Kim; Dow Bin Hyun; Jin Sang Kim

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081

A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module

Beomjin Kwon, Seung Hyub Baek, Seong Keun Kim, Dow Bin Hyun, Jin Sang Kim

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

An accurate and rapid characterization of a thermoelectric module (TEM) is critical to understand the problems in module design and fabrication. We describe an apparatus and a method that directly measure the cooling performance of a TEM such as current for maximum cooling (I_max), maximum cooling power (Q_c,max), and maximum temperature difference (ΔT_max). The apparatus is designed based on a finite element model to ensure a simple heat flow measurement. We evaluate the module performance metrics based on differential measurement between the cooling powers with temperature difference across the module under transient conditions. The use of transient data reduces measurement time, and the use of a differential technique enables compensation of the thermal losses. The measured data fit well with conventional theoretical relations for the TEM performance metrics. We test a commercial TEM and validate the results using the Harman method.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	209-213
Number of pages	5
Journal	Applied Thermal Engineering
Volume	87
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081
State	Published - May 30 2015
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cooling power
Differential method
Figure of merit
Thermoelectric module

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081

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title = "A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module",

abstract = "An accurate and rapid characterization of a thermoelectric module (TEM) is critical to understand the problems in module design and fabrication. We describe an apparatus and a method that directly measure the cooling performance of a TEM such as current for maximum cooling (Imax), maximum cooling power (Qc,max), and maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax). The apparatus is designed based on a finite element model to ensure a simple heat flow measurement. We evaluate the module performance metrics based on differential measurement between the cooling powers with temperature difference across the module under transient conditions. The use of transient data reduces measurement time, and the use of a differential technique enables compensation of the thermal losses. The measured data fit well with conventional theoretical relations for the TEM performance metrics. We test a commercial TEM and validate the results using the Harman method.",

keywords = "Cooling power, Differential method, Figure of merit, Thermoelectric module",

author = "Beomjin Kwon and Baek, {Seung Hyub} and Kim, {Seong Keun} and Hyun, {Dow Bin} and Kim, {Jin Sang}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the R&D program of the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and R&D Convergence Program of National Research Council of Science and Technology of Republic of Korea. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "2015",

month = may,

day = "30",

doi = "10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "87",

pages = "209--213",

journal = "Applied Thermal Engineering",

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T1 - A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module

AU - Kwon, Beomjin

AU - Baek, Seung Hyub

AU - Kim, Seong Keun

AU - Hyun, Dow Bin

AU - Kim, Jin Sang

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the R&D program of the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology and R&D Convergence Program of National Research Council of Science and Technology of Republic of Korea. Publisher Copyright: © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright: Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 2015/5/30

Y1 - 2015/5/30

N2 - An accurate and rapid characterization of a thermoelectric module (TEM) is critical to understand the problems in module design and fabrication. We describe an apparatus and a method that directly measure the cooling performance of a TEM such as current for maximum cooling (Imax), maximum cooling power (Qc,max), and maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax). The apparatus is designed based on a finite element model to ensure a simple heat flow measurement. We evaluate the module performance metrics based on differential measurement between the cooling powers with temperature difference across the module under transient conditions. The use of transient data reduces measurement time, and the use of a differential technique enables compensation of the thermal losses. The measured data fit well with conventional theoretical relations for the TEM performance metrics. We test a commercial TEM and validate the results using the Harman method.

AB - An accurate and rapid characterization of a thermoelectric module (TEM) is critical to understand the problems in module design and fabrication. We describe an apparatus and a method that directly measure the cooling performance of a TEM such as current for maximum cooling (Imax), maximum cooling power (Qc,max), and maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax). The apparatus is designed based on a finite element model to ensure a simple heat flow measurement. We evaluate the module performance metrics based on differential measurement between the cooling powers with temperature difference across the module under transient conditions. The use of transient data reduces measurement time, and the use of a differential technique enables compensation of the thermal losses. The measured data fit well with conventional theoretical relations for the TEM performance metrics. We test a commercial TEM and validate the results using the Harman method.

KW - Cooling power

KW - Differential method

KW - Figure of merit

KW - Thermoelectric module

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DO - 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.04.081

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VL - 87

SP - 209

EP - 213

JO - Applied Thermal Engineering

JF - Applied Thermal Engineering

ER -

A differential method for measuring cooling performance of a thermoelectric module

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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