Simulation-based parametric analysis of control key-factors in thermoelectric frames

Resumen

The thermoelectric systems (TE) have been studied for years as a potential energy efficient system in buildings due to its good integration with solar system and building structures. However, compared to the conventional air-conditioning system, the TE has lower COP, which negatively affects its applications in buildings. To improve the COP of the TE, control strategies against the dynamic working conditions would be critical for the future development of building integrated TE. Changing the key-factors of control strategies would affect the performance of the TE to different degrees under the same working condition. In this work, the numerical model of the TE window system is established on LabVIEW based on the Peltier effect, heat transfer and fluid mechanics. The simulation results indicate that the temperature difference between two sides and the total heating capacity increase, but the COP drops with the driving current of Peltier cells increases under certain condition. More working Peltier cells for the same heating capacity under certain condition means less driving current and better COP. In addition, higher air flow mass rate decreases the temperature difference between two sides and increases the temperature difference between object side and indoor space, which improves the COP.