Analyses of the performance and polar characteristics of two-stage thermoelectric coolers

Abstract

In this paper, we present detailed performance analyses of three types of two-stage thermoelectric (TE) coolers, which are supplied with serial, parallel and separate electric currents, respectively, with respect to the ratio n of the TE couple number between the stages. The analyses are all carried out at three optima, namely, the points of maximum temperature difference, maximum cooling rate and optimum coefficient of performance, so that the optimum ratios n are determined at given operative conditions. In the meantime, the polar characteristics of the three two-stage coolers are investigated, when the supplied electric current(s) is alternated. The information provided in this paper could be useful for both designers and users of TE coolers.