Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Peltier Modules on the Thermal Performance of a Thermoelectric Icebox

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diseases and epidemics, particularly in recent years, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the challenges associated with transporting temperature-sensitive medicines and medical supplies to remote areas. Maintaining these products within specified temperature ranges while ensuring portability is essential for preserving their quality and effectiveness. Therefore, this study aims to design, develop, and analyze a portable thermoelectric refrigeration system for the storage and transportation of medical supplies under controlled temperature conditions. The proposed system provides a mechanism for maintaining medical supplies at suitable temperatures to ensure optimal storage conditions. Different configurations were investigated to achieve lower internal temperatures, with particular emphasis on varying the number and arrangement of thermoelectric coolers (TECs) based on Peltier modules. Changes in the Peltier configuration resulted in substantial variations in the internal temperature of the storage box. The reported temperature reductions were 113% for the first model, 95% for the second model, 108% for the third model, and 106% for the fourth model. The study further investigates the effect of the number of Peltier thermoelectric coolers on the thermal performance of the system and evaluates their potential for reducing electrical energy consumption. ANSYS simulation software was employed to analyze heat transfer and temperature distribution within the storage box, as well as the transient flow behavior of the cooling air. The findings provide insights into the influence of TEC configuration on the cooling performance of portable thermoelectric refrigeration systems for temperature-sensitive medical supplies.