An electro-thermal model of thermoelectric modules in heat pump and cooling mode (CHIM model)

Abstract

An electro-thermal model of thermoelectric (TE) modules, for the analysis of a heat pump system and cooling system under steady state is presented. The model is a combination of electro-thermal parts. Simulations were run by the PSPICE program. Its main advantage is simplicity as working points of the TE system i.e., current, thermal resistance of heat exchanger and the temperature difference between cold junction and hot junction of thermoelectric modules are easily determined. The CHIM model was checked by the two port method. Its output provides the same outcome as that conducted by a mathematical model that validated the proposed model.