An Integrated Thermoelectric Nanofluid Heat Exchanger

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation of thermoelectric, TE, cooling system using nanofluid-based heat exchanger. The presence of nanoparticles in buoyancy-driven flows affects the thermophysical properties of the fluid and consequently alters the rate of heat transfer. The TE module is sandwiched between a heat source and the heat exchanger, with the cold side of the TEM attached to the heat source. The focus of this paper is to assess the enhancement in coefficient of performance of TEM using with 27nm Al2O3 — H2O nanofluid-based heat exchanger. Experimental simulations were performed to measure the transient and steady-state thermal response of TE to imposed isothermal condition. The volume fraction is varied between 0 to 2%. Preliminary results obtained for volume fraction of 0% (without nanoparticle) is reported in this paper. Result show that the COP is a strong function of the effectiveness of the heat exchanger and thermal contact resistance. Additional experimental runs are being conducted to show if at all, COP can be augmented using nanofluid-based heat exchanger.