Performance analysis of heat pipe-cooled two-stage thermoelectric air conditioner

Abstract

Abstract A detailed model of heat pipe-cooled two-stage thermoelectric (TE) air conditioner is established. The performance is analysed comprehensively including the cooling power, coefficient of performance (COP), thermodynamic perfectibility and extreme temperature difference. The influences of key parameters including working current, distribution ratio of TE elements and heat pipe parameters are analysed by numerical simulation. The working current and the TE element number ratio are optimized for the maximum cooling power and the maximum COP respectively. The influences of the cross-sectional area, the length of the TE element and the temperature difference on the optimal variables and optimal performance is obtained. The results show the refrigeration performance of the TE air conditioner can be effectively improved by heat pipe cooling. The two-stage mode can effectively improve the refrigeration temperature difference. The extreme temperature difference can be improved from 60 K to 110 K.