AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM USING PELTIER

ABSTRACT

Air Conditioning system contributes to the emission of CFCs, HCFCs, CO2, etc. Due to
use of such refrigerants it leads to much harmful effect to our Environment i.e., Global Warming.
For Air conditioning use of fuel also increases and all these effects Car efficiency. To overcome
the problem of emission and fulfill the mismatch between the demand and supply of Energy
consumption the thermoelectric air conditioning can be used. In this system, there will be no
hazardous emission to the Environment so the system is totally Eco-friendly. As the Peltier
module is quite comparative in size the design can be easily acquired according to space and
need. Comparatively the Thermoelectric cooling systems have advantages over conventional
cooling system, such as compact in size, light in weight, high reliability, no mechanical moving
parts and no working fluids. The Peltier effect refers to the absorption of heat from one end of
thermoelectric material and release of heat into opposite end due to a current flow through the
material. In this Project, Air Conditioning system using Peltier will be installed in car. The Main
Components used in the project are Peltier Module, Heat Sinks, Blowers, Lithium-ion Battery
pack and also some accessories.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Conventional air conditioning system releases harmful gases like CFC, carbon
oxides, and nitrogen oxides etc., which in turn pollutes the environment and leads to depletion of
ozone layer. Also, in automobiles the air conditioners use fuel for its operation. To overcome this
disadvantage peltier air conditioners can be used. An advantage of using peltier module is less
moving parts or circulating liquid, small size, no leakage. Also the power consumption of peltier
module is very less and it is environmental friendly.

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CHAPTER 01
INTRODUCTION

Air conditioning is the science of controlling primarily three parameters of human

comfort, temperature, relative humidity and air quality. Air conditioners, dehumidifiers and
evaporative coolers serve the purpose however air conditioners are termed expensive and coolers
prove ineffective in humid conditions. The study conducted in the work aims at developing a
peltier operated air coupled with a dehumidifier to achieve dual objective of dehumidification
and sensible cooling. The work aims to performance testing of peltier operated air conditioner
for indoor cooling. The desired design is intended to provide a good alternative to present air
conditioners which consume sufficiently high electricity with very large initial investment. The
thermo electric coolers operates on the principle of Peltier effect. By transferring heat between
two electrical junctions it results in temperature difference. When the current flows through the
junctions of the two conductors, heat is removed at one junction and cooling occurs. The main
application of peltier is cooling. However , it can also be used for heating. In both cases it
requires DC voltage for its operation. Cooling effect occurs when the current passes through one
or more pair of elements from n-type to p-type semiconductors, there is a decrease in
temperature at the junction resulting in the absorption of heat from the environment.

This Portable Air Conditioning System discussed can be used in dual mode operation,
heating and cooling. This system achieves minimum temperature 16 Degree Celsius and
maximum around 40 Degree Celsius and maximum voltage occurs in about 30 minutes. For
future development, this system can be used as a replacement for conventional air- conditioning
systems that use coolant that can be harmless for humans in the long term There is a huge
scope of research in this field of improvement about thermoelectric materials, its fabrication,
heat sink design etc.

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A thermoelectric module-based cooling can cool 10x10 rooms with only a few modules
in a very less time. The Peltier module will prove sufficient in air conditioning for indoor
applications as desired. Peltier effect has an efficiency of around 10 –15% compared to the
refrigerants 40 – 60 % efficiency. 70 °C temperature difference of heat absorption can be
obtained using Peltier Effect. More thermal mass of the sink is generally good for the efficiency
of the effect in air conditioning. Air conditioning operation can be controlled by a boost
converter which controlled the current supplied to manage temperature differences. Air
conditioning work or efficiency can be improved by creating electricity from the temperature
difference with the application of See beck effect.

The main problem with the exhaust system of Peltier device i.e., increased temperature
difference comparing with the cold side which is almost double. For the removal of this
particular problem a cooling system is installed which absorbs the heat from the heat side and
reducing the temperature difference of heat side. These reduces the temperature of conditioned
space. This above stated problem is resolved by the use of water at high pressure supplied to the
cooling case which reduces the temperatures at cooling side.

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CHAPTER 02
LITERATURE REVIEW
SL.
Author Study Title Finding /Conclusion
No.
Treatment of swelling or
Zdenek Slanina, Cooling device with Peltier
inflammation with a cold
Martin Uhlik, Vaclav element for Medical
01 wrapper is known for reducing
Sladecek applications
pain and swelling, which can
be made by Peltier cooler

Behavior of Peltier cooling,

A Experimental case study on
when installed with different
02 Zuhair R. Abdulghani
optimization of Peltier air
number of Peltier devices and
cooler
power input

On this experimental
investigation of thermoelectric
Theoretical and experimental cooling and heating, the
Wei He, Jinzhi Zhou,
investigation on thermoelectric thermoelectric device works as
03 Jingxin Hou, Chi
cooling and heating system a Peltier cooler when
Chen,Jie Ji
driven by solar Electricity is applied, the
minimum temperature achieved
was 17°C, with COP of higher
than 0.45

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In this journal, Project was

Devijyoti Pal, Ali made with treatment of exhaust
Design and setup of Peltier
04 Ansari, Kantanu (hot side) with the help of air
Module based Air cooler
Kr.Behera duct, water tank and hot tank
filled with sand within it.

A project with air-water heat

Arsh Anis Khan, exchanger was made. Results
Air conditioning using Peltier
05 Sahil Bhalla, Rushil were tabulated for two sources
effect
Rana, Yusuf Paloba of water i.e., Tap water, and
cold water at 13°C

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CHAPTER 03
METHODOLOGY

Figure 3.1 : METHODOLOGY

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PROCUREMENT OF COMPONENTS

Sl. Component Quantity Specification Cost

no.
1 Peltier Module 2 12V 922

2 Heat sink 2 12V 10A 380

3 Temperature sensor 1 Celsius 186

4 SMPS 1 12V 10A 566

5 Switch 1 12V 20

6 Thermal paste 2 - 80
-
7 Acrylic 4 400

8 Blower fans 4 12V 2A 800

9 Pump 1 12V 10A 150

10 Aluminum water block 1 250

11 White sheet for coating 1 149

12 Aluminum cooling block 1 330

13 Pump 1 12V 80

14 Other Accessories - - 500

GRAND TOTAL 4664

Table 3.1: Cost of Components

DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS

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PELTIER MODULE

Figure 3.2: Working principle of Peltier module

Peltier is a
application of electrical difference and vice versa. Peltier device consists of two types of semi-
conductors, n-type and p-type semi-conductor. Peltier works on the principle of Peltier effect and
see-beck effect. Peltier 12710 is used in the project.12710 represents 12V and 10A.There are two
sides of Peltier, One of the end called as Hot side whereas the other as cold side. These peltier
devices are installed between the Heat sinks of hot and colder sides. The number of peltier
devices depends on work output required or space it needs to be cooled.

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Figure 3.3: Design of Peltier module

In fig. 3.2A, shows the actual working of peltier module on supply of DC current,
whereas fig. 3.2B shows the principle of thermoelectric effect which is vice-versa of Peltier
effect. Here, the power generation takes place on temperature difference between the junctions of
peltier. In fig. 3.3, the arrangement of heat exchanger element attached at either sides of peltier.
In between the contact resistance, there is a arrangement of n-type and p-type semiconductors
alternatively which aids the diversification of heat and cold.

Temperature Sensor

Figure 3.4: Temperature Sensor

Temperature sensor used to measure the temperature at the cold side of the peltier. It
consists of a sensor probe and LED screen with readouts in Celsius. This device has a measuring
range of -50ºC to +70 º C. Temperature sensors has a cross section of 4.5 cm × 2.5 cm.

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Heat Sinks

Figure 3.5: Heat sink

Heat sink acts as a medium of transfer between peltier module and the blower fans. It
transfers hot or cold air from the peltier module to the Blower fans through them. The material of
manufacture of this component is aluminum. Two heat sinks are attached at either ends of peltier
for absorption of heat and cold. It is also installed to the aluminum cooling case to cool the
exhaust heat gases of the system.

Blower fans

Figure 3.6: Blower fan

Blower fan acts as agent for dispensing the hot and cold air liberated during the operation
of peltier. The power ratings of this blowers are 12V .These fans rotates at a speed of 2200 rpm.
Three blower fans are attached at the cold side and one blower fan is attached at hot side.

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SMPS

Figure 3.7: SMPS

SMPS acts as a step down transformer which converts the input voltage of 220-240V to
12V 10A as of its specifications.

PUMP

Figure 3.8: Submersible mini pump

The pump is used to supply the water from tank to cooling case towards the exhaust or
heat side to remove the heat from the system before the release of heat gases to the atmosphere.
The pump used is a micro submersible mini pump.

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Specifications:

Operating voltage: 12V

Working life: 500 hours

Outlet outside diameter: 7.5mm

Outlet inside diameter: 5mm

Aluminum cooling water block

Figure 3.10: Aluminum water cooling block

The aluminum block is used to cool the exhaust gases or the heat gases emitted from the
peltier, the water flows inside this block and absorbs the heat from the heat sinks and transfers it
to the cooling water and further the cooling water is sent to the tank.

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Figure 3.11 : Block Diagram

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FABRICATOION OF PELTIER AIR CONDITIONER

The following processes or steps are involved in fabricating the model

1. Casing of Peltier air conditioner

 Development of Sheet metal
 Fabrication of sheet metal body
 Composite wall creation
2. Mounting of components
 Affixing peltier with heat sinks
 Mounting of SMPS in the model
 Mounting of tank and cooling case with a heat sink
3. Wiring up the Components
4. Circuit Testing and analysis
5. Result verification

Casing of Peltier Air conditioner

The casing can be completed mainly in three following steps,

i. Development of Sheet metal

A sheet metal of area, A = 6200 cm2, is used for development. The material of
sheet metal is Galvanized iron sheet of thickness 0.5 mm. The development drawn over a
sheet as shown in figure 3.11 is pasted over sheet metal.
ii. Fabrication of Sheet metal
After attaching the development to the GI sheet, the processes like cutting,
bending, joining and finishing processes are made over sheet metal to get the desired
product as shown in figure 3.12.The fabricated sheet metal is of volume, V = 22500 cm3.
iii. Composite wall creation
An acrylic sheet of thickness 5 mm is pasted to the sheet metal through screws at
the inner section of sheet metal body as shown in fig 3.13.After attaching composite wall
the volume is reduced to, v = 19200 cm3.

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Figure 3.12: Development of sheet metal

Figure 3.13: Fabricated Sheet metal body

Mounting of Components

Mounting of components involves

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a. Affixing of peltier to the heat sinks: A compound called heat sink compound or
thermal paste for attaching peltier to the heat sinks. For proper functioning of peltier
modules thermal paste and heat sinks are necessary.
b. Mounting of SMPS: The SMPS is mounted at inner section of tubular body partially
nearer towards the cold side.
c. Mounting of cooling system: A cooling system is installed to treat/cool the exhaust
gases. A setup of submersible pump, water tank and aluminum cooling water block is
made at the exhaust side.

Wiring up the Components

Figure 3.14 : Circuit Diagram

CHAPTER 04

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

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Results

The temperature differences achieved was 3º of cooling side temperature difference

within 10 minutes of operating the air conditioner and producing constant temperature at cold
side whereas at the heat side 6º of temperature difference more than the conditioned space. On
operating the Air conditioner for around 30 to 40 minutes, the cooling side about 3.6º of cooling
compared to the atmosphere temperature whereas at heat side 8º of heat more than the
atmospheric temperature. These particular readings were taken before installing the cooling case
at the heat side.

The below table 4.1 includes the temperatures at cold side, hot side, atmospheric
temperature and temperature differences of both sides with atmospheric temperature. The
temperature sensors were installed at the heat sink regions of hot and cold sides.

Temperature Temperature
Operating Atmospheric
Sl no. Hot side Cold side difference difference
time (min) temperature
(hot side) (cold side)

1 10 28 33 26 5 2

2 15 27.8 33.7 25.7 5.7 2.3

3 20 27.3 34.1 25.1 6.1 2.9

4 25 26.9 34.9 24.7 6.9 3.3

5 30 26.3 36.2 24.4 8.2 3.6

Table 4.1: Results Table 01

The Table 4.2 shows the results table of project,after the installation of cooling
system.The temperature at the hot side is reduced compared with previous result table

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Temperature Temperature
Operating Atmospheric
Sl no. Hot side Cold side difference difference
time (min) temperature
(hot side) (cold side)

1 10 28 31.2 26 3.2 2

2 15 27.8 31.2 25.7 3.4 2.3

3 20 27.3 31.2 25.1 3.9 2.9

4 25 26.9 31.2 24.7 4.3 3.3

5 30 26.3 31 24.4 4.9 3.6

Table 4.2: Results Table 02

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SNAPSHOTS DURING MODELLING

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