KA-2153 -- Thermoelectric Generator-Refrigerator PDF

A low temperature heat source may be utilized to provide the necessary thermal energy to drive a thermoelectric generator which in turn may be coupled to a thermoelectric refrigerator in order to provide a modest amount of cooling. The device will be admittedly inefficient, but it can utilize readily available thermoelectric cooling modules for the generator because of the low temperature of the heat source. The system is simple, rugged, and reliable. It provides cooling with only a source of thermal energy and a suitable heat sink.

To make effective use of the characteristics of both the generator and the refrigerator it is necessary to arrange several generator modules in a series parallel configuration providing ganerator current producing either the maximum cooling effect, or if desired, the best coefficient of performance as a refrigerator. As this is a low efficiency device making use of an ample, low temperature heat source, it would seem appropriate to design for the maximum cooling effect.