Modeling and Simulation of a Thermoelectric Heat Exchanger using the Object-Oriented Library TIL

Abstract

Thermoelectric technology allows for the direct con-version of a temperature difference into an electric potential and vice versa. Thermoelectric devices can act as coolers, heaters, or power generators and ap-plications of small capacity thermoelectric modules are widespread. Applications of large capacity ther-moelectric devices have been limited for decades by their low efficiency. New environmental regulations regarding the manufacture and release of CFCs have revived the interest in this area. Recent investigations on thermoelectric materials promise that their ther-moelectric efficiency can be improved dramatically. This would mean a breakthrough for new fields of applications for thermoelectric modules. A new Modelica model of a Peltier water-water heat ex-changer was developed for transient simulations. The new model uses component models from the object-oriented Modelica library TIL. The new model was used to simulate the transient behavior of a Peltier heat exchanger during a sudden reversion of the ap-plied voltage. The numerical results were compared to measurement results from a prototype.