DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A THERMOELECTRIC SINGLE-STAGED
PELTIER COOLER
An Undergraduate Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of the
Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Mindanao State University
Marawi City
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Science in
Mechanical Engineering
ENGR. DONATO L. JUAYANG JR.
Adviser
by
NOEMY A. GEORFO
RODFRIEL NICK JULIUS E. EMUTIN
FEVIE MARIE S. PESTAÑAS
RENZ LEO P. ALISTRE
June 2022
Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
Marawi City
College of Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
APPROVAL SHEET
The undergraduate thesis attached herein entitled “DEVELOPMENT AND
TESTING OF A THERMOELECTRIC SINGLE-STAGED PELTIER COOLER” Prepared
and submitted by Noemy A. Georfo, Rodfriel Nick Julius E. Emutin, Fevie Marie S.
Pestanas and Renz Leo P. Alistre, is hereby examined and recommended for acceptance
and approval.
DATE SIGNED
ENGR. EDILVIN W. MAGHANOY
Panel Member
__________________
ENGR. ASLANIE S. LIMBONA
Panel Member
__________________
ENGR. DONATO L. JUAYANG JR.
Thesis Adviser
__________________
ACCEPTED and APPROVED in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
PROF. RODRIGO S. BAID
Dean, College of Engineering
ENGR. WYRLO A. RICABLANCA
Chairperson, ME Department
i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, we would like to convey and express our heartfelt appreciation
and gratitude to all who have contributed their time, effort, and support to make this
research possible.
To Engr, Donato L. Juayang Jr, a tremendous mentor and an advisor. We would
like to thank you for encouraging our research and for allowing us to grow as a student.
Your advice on both research as well as on our career have been invaluable. We can’t thank
you enough for believing and putting so much faith on us.
We would also like to thank our committee and panel members, Engr.Edilvin
Walter Maghanoy, and Engr. Aslanie S. Limbona for serving as our committee members
even at hardship. We also want to thank you for letting our defense be an enjoyable
moment, and for your brilliant and insightful remarks and suggestions, thanks to you.
We want to express our gratitude to our parents, relatives, and friends for always
being there for us during difficult moments. You've all been there for us anytime we've
needed assistance. We are grateful beyond words for all the sacrifices you've made on our
behalf. Your prayers for us have kept us going so far.
Finally, we thank our God, our loving Father, for letting us through all the
difficulties. We have experienced Your guidance day by day. You are the one who let us
finish our degree. We will keep on trusting You for our future. Thank you, Lord.
ii
DEDICATION
This work is the result of numerous and difficult sacrifices. This work is gladly
and proudly dedicated to the people who serve as an inspiration, thanks to the efforts of
the researchers. From my parents, Mama Alma, Papa Nonoy, and to my siblings,
classmates, and circle of friends, the KofAmilya, TATAK BUTSER, and Chacha, who
offered her assistance while I was having difficulties with this study.
To Engr. Donato Juayang Jr., our thesis adviser, who assisted us from the
beginning to the finish of our research. Above all, to our Almighty God, who has blessed
us in our daily lives, especially for the strength, courage, patience, wisdom, time, and
guidance we have received in completing this project. Thank you all, and may God
continue to bless you, Mahal ko kayo!
“Joules”
iii
DEDICATION
This study is dedicated to my family and many friends. I owe a special debt of
appreciation to my beloved parents, Mrs. Avelina and Mr. Teofilo Pestañas, whose words
of encouragement and insistence on perseverance still echo in my ears. To my brothers and
sisters, Rolly, Jolinda, Luzminda, Ronnie, Junrel, Teofilo Jr., Arlon, and Edmon, who have
never left my side and encourage me to work hard and believe in myself. Thank you for all
your help, my sisters and brothers-in-law, thank you!
I also dedicate this study to Cha2, Julius, and Noemy, for their presence and tireless
efforts in making this research a success.
I also dedicate this work and express my gratitude to our Thesis Advisor, Engr.
Donato L. Juayang Jr., thank you for assisting me and my thesis group members in
developing our technological talents. Also, to the members of the panel.
I shall be eternally grateful for everything they have done, as well as to our
Almighty God for leading me on my journey. Thank you, Lord, and to everyone who has
helped us along the way.
“PEBIE”
iv
DEDICATION
This piece of work is heartedly dedicated to my beloved mother Ma. Liza Patria
and to my beloved Aunt as my second mother who helped and supported me in my
endeavor throughout my college journey.
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks to Mrs.
Almaliza Asentista, for her love and unending support. To my brother, Reniel and to my
special someone Krisitne Joy and to our baby Kaelin and Elle, thank you for being an
inspiration to me for I keep on going through to this path with full of wisdom and
perseverance.
To my relatives, roommates, co-majors, friends and most especially to our
Almighty Creator, for without Him I can do nothing.
“RENZ”
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DEDICATION
I owe a debt of gratitude to various people without whom this thesis would not
have been possible.
A very special thanks to my siter, Mayeth Alviar Georfo, who continues to learn,
grow, and develop, and who has been a source of encouragement and inspiration to me
throughout my life, for providing financial assistance throughout my entire stay at the
university, for nurturing me through the months of writing, and for supporting me in all
my endeavors throughout my entire journey. Also, for the numerous ways in which you
have actively supported me throughout my life in my quest to discover and develop my
potential, and to contribute to our society.
I would also like to commend and express my heartfelt gratitude to my aunt, Mrs.
Benilda B. Nicolas, for providing me home during my High School to College journey,
she aspires me to do good and fueled me with positivity to step-up with her wisdom and
be a fully educated and respectful person, I can’t really thank you enough for all the
supplementary support you gave me.
To my parents in heaven, thank you for all your guidance. To my friends and
relatives, thank you for the company. To our Almighty Creator, thank you for keeping me
going, for letting us through all the hardships. I will always keep my faith higher for my
future endeavors. Cheers to everyone!
“Noyme”
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ABSTRACT
The impact of ongoing scientific and technological advancement has resulted in a
range of systems that can be employed to produce a cooling effect. The primary goal of
our study is to create a cooler that is small, portable, and does not hurt the environment.
Instead of a compressor, a thermoelectric module (TEM) is employed, which
operates on the Peltier effect and is portable and light weight. The Peltier effect is used to
generate a heating and cooling side while maintaining efficiency. The entire setup will be
researched, built, and analyzed. The outcome will show that this refrigeration technology
is useful during the voyage period, keeping the food supply stable at what temperature they
were kept.
This study designed and built a 40 x 36 x 38 cm and have a thickness of 2.5 cm
mini thermoelectric Peltier cooler. The Peltier thermoelectric device was sandwiched
between two heat sinks, one external and the other inside, to remove heat from the cooler
box and by using of fans would also beneficial. The Peltier effect caused the heat from the
refrigerator's internal space to be conducted and removed to the ambient when the Peltier
thermoelectric cell was connected to an external power source. The theoretical thermal
resistance model was validated using the experimental data from this investigation. The
Peltier cooler was shown to be capable of producing a smaller COP, which was relatively
high when compared to earlier experiments.
vii
By eliminating heat, this cooler was able to reduce the temperature of the cooler
box a lower temperature from the ambient temperature. The validated theoretical model
could be used in the future to estimate appropriate design parameters such as heat sink type,
cooler size, cooling temperature, and cooler performance, including the coefficient of
performance (COP).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Title Page
Approval Sheet
i
Acknowledgement
ii
Dedication
iii
Abstract
vii
Tables of Contents
ix
List Of Figures
xi
List of Tables
xiii
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1
Background of the Study
1
1.2
Statement of the Problem
2
1.3
Objectives of the Study
3
1.4
Significance of this study
3
1.5
Scope and Limitations of the Study
4
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
2.1
Thermoelectric Effect
5
2.2
The Seebeck Effect
5
2.3
The Peltier Effect
6
2.4
The Thomson Effect
7
2.5
Peltier Theory
8
2.6
Thermoelectric Cooling Module
10
2.7
Thermoelectric Phenomena
12
2.8
TEC Performance
13
ix
Chapter 3: Methodology
3.1
Research Design
18
3.2
Conceptual Framework
19
3.3
Materials Used
20
3.4
Circuit Diagram
23
3.5
Local of the Study
24
3.6
Subjects of the Study
24
Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
4.1
Assembly of Single-Staged Peltier Cooler
25
4.2
Final Assembly
26
4.3
TEC Specification
27
4.4
Results and Discussion
27
4.5
COP
32
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1 Conclusion
34
5.2 Recommendation
34
BIBLIOGRAPHY
36
APPENDICES
Appendix A. Material Cost
38
Appendix B. TEC SPECIFICATION
38
Appendix C. Curriculum Vitae
39
x
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No.
Title
Page
1.1
Configuration of Thermoelectric Cooler
2
2.1
The Seebeck Effect
6
2.2
The Peltier Effect
7
2.3
The Thomson Effect
8
2.4
Thermoelectric Cooler
9
2.5
Thermoelectric Module
16
2.6
Structure and Function of Thermoelectric Cooler
11
2.7
Simplified TE Module and Temperature Differential
12
2.8
Experimental TEC Maximum Performance Plots
13
2.9
Experimental TEC Optimal Performance Plots
14
3.1
Model Design
18
3.2
Research Flowchart
19
3.3
TEC Module
30
3.4
Insulating Foam
21
3.5
Heat Sink
21
3.6
Fan
22
3.7
Water Pump
22
3.8
Power Supply Unit
23
3.9
Circuit Diagram
23
xi
4.1
TEC Components Assembly
25
4.2
Final Assembly of TEC Peltier Cooler
26
4.3
Tint and Text Temperature vs Time
30
4.4
TEC Cold Temperature (Tc) versus Time
31
4.5
TEC Hot Temperature (Th) vs Time
31
xii
LIST OF TABLES
Table No.
Title
Page
4.1
TEC 1-12706 Specifications
27
4.2
Temperature Change Inside the Cooler
28
4.3
TEC Cold Temperature (Tc) Readings
29
4.4
TEC Hot Side Data
29
xiii