Optimizing a thermoelectric window frame for heating and cooling: A cross-validated simulation study

Abstract Beyond the design of the system components, the potential application of thermoelectric (TE) systems is influenced by various factors in the control process. To understand the effects of these control factors on TE system performance in buildings, computational models for a TE window frame are established. In this work, two different numerical methodologies are applied to calculate the desired operating current and temperature distributions within the airflows and on the surfaces of the Peltier cells. The simulation results obtained from these methodologies are cross-validated and compared with relevant experimental results from existing studies. The mathematical model iterates the outgoing airflow temperature at non-object sides after determining the object-side temperature under a certain heat load. Additionally, alongside the number of activated Peltier cells and airflow rate, a new factor, termed the distribution of power strength, is considered in the analysis. The results indicate that homogeneous power strength across each Peltier cell yields favorable outcomes in both heating and cooling modes. The coefficient of performance (COP) increases with the activation of more Peltier cells under a constant heat load, while begins to decline beyond a certain threshold. Moreover, the COP is enhanced with a relatively higher airflow rate by strengthening the heat transfer to relieve the temperature difference between both sides. Consequently, based on the result analysis, we propose an optimization strategy for TE systems. This strategy aims to optimize operating currents, the number of working Peltier cells, and operating airflow rates, particularly when working conditions fluctuate.