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ABSTRACT
Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) have a high potential to dominate traditional air conditioning and become the future of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). TECs offer several advantages over traditional air conditioning systems, most notably in terms of zero greenhouse gas emissions, a leak-free environment, and cost efficiency. Despite all these concerns, efficient cooling performance and energy consumption are two major barriers for the rapid adoption of TECs. This article provides a comprehensive literature review of recent developments and challenges in implementing TECs to increase energy consumption and cooling performance. In particular, through the development of components and physical parameters such as thermoelectric material, the effect of fluid flow and the geometry of the heat sink of the thermoelectric cooling system. In addition, the articles will highlight the significant opportunities for thermoelectric applications to achieve economic and environmental benefits. Thermoelectric cooling with the latest conversion efficiency is technically practical and economical for small and micro applications in the current scenario. If thermoelectric cooling is applied on a large and medium scale in commercial practice, it would further develop green technology that improves environmental conditions as well as the energy supply.
Nomenclature
| COP | = | Coefficient of performance |
| CP | = | Fluid specific heat (J Kg−1 K−1) |
| G | = | Geometry factor (cm) |
| I | = | Current (A) |
| IOC | = | Optimum current (A) |
| k | = | Thermal conductivity (W cm−1 K−1) |
| KF | = | Fluid thermal conductivity (W) |
| KS | = | Solid specific heat (J Kg−1 K−1) |
| N | = | Number of thermocouples |
| PF | = | Fluid pressure (psi) |
| QC | = | Cooling capacity (W) |
| Qcond | = | Heat transfer by conduction (W) |
| QE | = | Power consumption by Thermoelectric cooling (W) |
| QH | = | Heating capacity (W) |
| QJ | = | Joule heat generation rate (W) |
| QP | = | : Peltier effect (W) |
| T | = | Temperature (K) |
| TC | = | Cold side temperature (K) |
| TF | = | Fluid temperature (K) |
| TH | = | Hot side temperature (K) |
| TM | = | Average temperature (K) |
| TS | = | Solid temperature (K) |
| Z | = | Figure of merit (K) |
| Greek symbols | = | |
| = | Temperature difference (K) | |
| ρ | = | Resistivity (Ω cm) |
| = | Peltier coefficient (V) | |
| α | = | Seebeck coefficient (µV K−1) |
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the financial support provided by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, FRGS Grant (FRGS/1/2019/TK10/UM/02/4).
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Correction Statement
This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.