Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a Thermoelectric Air Funnel Cooler System for Dry climatic Conditions

The reliance on traditional cooling technologies is bound to affect the environment. An experimental and numerical approach was used in this study to evaluate the performance and efficiency of a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) by enhancing the air flow on the cold side with an air funnel. The system comprised three thermoelectric modules arranged in series in an air duct. The hot and cold sides of each module were mounted on two heat sinks to increase the heat transfer area. A fan was attached to each heat sink to circulate cold and hot air in the duct. A funnel was mounted above the cold ventilation fan to create a temperature drop and increase the convection heat transfer rate associated with the system. A thermoelectric air funnel cooler (TEC-AF) system simulation model and heat transport distribution analysis was performed using the finite element approach in the ANSYS software. The three-dimensional finite element formulation of the TEC-AF system was subjected to various boundary conditions during testing. The results indicated that the temperature reduction at the exit of cold side of the air funnel TEM system was 3.5-4.8 °C greater than the normal operational condition. The cooling capacities of the TEC system with and without an air funnel at the optimal power supply were 23.03 to 26.41 J/s, respectively. During operation hours, the temperature near the occupants was 2.4 to 3.6 °C cooler than that in the rest of the room, and the indoor RH ranged between 47 and 56%.