• Rajesh Arora

In today’s era, power generation and devices working low power output are the main point of attraction all over the world. In this context, thermoelectric devices (TEs) possess large number of advantages like low power operation, no mobile parts, no hazardous operating media, ruggedness and minimum operating maintenance requirements. That is why these devices are highly applicable in number of emerging fields like biomedical, commercial, defense, aeronautics etc. They work on the principle of direct conversion of heat energy into electrical power output and vice-versa following Seebeck and Peltier effects. They can also be integrated/cascaded with other energy generation routes like Solar/PV, Solar/Thermal or high temperature exhaust from various industrial processes. In present work, single- and 2-stage thermoelectric coolers are thermodynamically reviewed in view of 1st/2nd law of thermodynamics. It is found that the thermoelectric coolers made up of semiconductor p-type and n-type modules are highly efficient at low power output in comparison to the conventional cooling options. The variations in the coefficient of performance (COP) of these devices is investigated and presented with respect to different number of thermoelectric modules for various working electrical current values. It is also found that effective balance between various performing variables is very much required for improving the operating parameters of these devices.

Thermoelectric Coolers, 1st/2nd law of thermodynamics, Thermodynamic optimization, finite time thermodynamics, Coefficient of performance

"Thermodynamic investigations on thermoelectric coolers: a review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 5, page no.820-827, MAY-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1805742.pdf

"Thermodynamic investigations on thermoelectric coolers: a review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 5, page no. pp820-827, MAY-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1805742.pdf