DIT PhD/Doctoral Project
Supervisor name & contact details:
Name: Dr. Mick Mc Keever
Tel: 01 4024941
Email: Mick.McKeever@dit.ie
Weblink (if available)
Research Centre Name and Website (if
applicable)
Dublin Energy Lab
Funding Agency
Scholarship Details
None
Subject Area
Energy
Title of the Project
Control and Modelling of a Thermoelectric
Heat Pump for Hot and Cold Storage
Project Description (max 300 words)
Aim: This project investigates the usage of a Peltier effect thermoelectric heat pumps TEHP to
store hot and cold energy utilising cheap night time electrical energy. The TEHP utilises latent
heat pipes to separate electrical energy into a hot and cold junction. A cold storage unit captures
heat energy from the cold junction for use in cold storage applications such as refrigeration,
while the heat released at the hot junction is used to heat water. The objective of the project
isinvestigate the control of energy storage rates using a range of control strategies and system
configurations.
Project Milestones: The project milestones listed in chronological order are:
1. Literature review of the state of the art of:
a. Thermoelectric heating and cooling systems.
b. Latent heat storage systems.
c. Control strategies for heat pumps.
d. The current trends in heating and cooling systems.
2. Construction of a TEHP experimental test rig.
3. Open loop testing of the TEHP system for model data collection, validation and
verification.
4. Modelling of the TEHP system in Simulink.
5. Design of the closed loop controller hardware (PLC, instrumentation and actuators).
6. Experimental testing of the PCMTES system with SISO closed loop control.
7. Validation of SISO controller strategies for the PCMTES against experimental data sets.
8. Design of an optimisation control strategy to maximise the heat separation and capture
of the TEHP.
9. Validation of the TEHP controller using real experimental data sets.
Please indicate the student requirements for this project
Min 2.1 Level 8 accredited Engineering Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical or
Mechatronics .
Necessary Skills: Engineering degree(Min 2.1) in electrical or mechanical discipline with a good
working knowledge of automation, control and the fundamentals of heat transfer. A good
understanding of dynamic systems modelling and simulation is a benefit.
Software Knowledge: A number of software packages will be used to complete the tasks within
this PhD project. These are:
1. Matlab: Used for data processing, analysis, and presentation within the Thesis
document.
2. Simulink and control system toolboxes: Modelling and simulation of the PCMTES system
dynamics. Design, modelling and simulation of the control systems.
3. Autocad or SolidWorks: Design drawings for the PCMTES hardware and system
schematic drawings.
1. Word or Latex: Publication and dissemination of research work, reports and final thesis.
Deadline to submit applications (only for
funded projects)
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