Development of an app for a thermoelectric cooler system

• Main Author: Ng, Alex Boon Chye
• Other Authors: Rusli
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Computer and Information Science; Engineering; Physics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176358
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) have evolved as adaptable solid-state devices that provide efficient cooling and temperature control in a variety of industries and applications. This report provides a thorough overview of the principles, advances, and various applications of thermoelectric cooling technology. TECs' main operating principle is based on the Peltier effect, which creates a temperature gradient by delivering an electric current through a junction of dissimilar materials, resulting in heat absorption at one junction and dissipation at the other. Recent advances in materials science and nanotechnology have considerably improved the efficiency and performance of thermoelectric materials, resulting in better cooling capabilities and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the incorporation of TECs into medical equipment, such as temperature-controlled drug delivery systems and portable cooling devices, emphasises their importance in healthcare. Furthermore, the use of TECs in space missions and renewable energy gathering demonstrates their promise for remote and sustainable applications. In addition, this report discusses the feasibility on optimization of COP of TEC along with the design and construction of an efficient method of heat dissipation from the TEC using the concept of evaporative cooling. The various parameters and results are constantly recorded with sensors and uploaded onto Google excel sheets automatically in 5 seconds interval via Wifi through ESP32 and Google Apps script for data analysis. The proposed cooling tower with TEC housing unit results are compared constantly with conventional heat dissipation method such as radiators and it achieved conclusive result of the highest heat load of 296W with COP of 1.397 amongst other prototypes with the same key parameters of water flowrate, heat source, and cold fin fan speeds. Finally, remote control of the system is achieved with Apple HomeKit using ESP32 and HomeSpan library that communicates via WiFi to provide active control and real time data displayed on a user-friendly platform that supports commercialised products. However, further improvements could be made on the extent of capabilities of remote control, reliability of data collected and reliability in the connectivity of the system.