TEC Module Heat Load Calculation for 3
Modules
This document presents the revised heat load calculation for a system with 3 TEC modules,
a thermocol box volume of 15 liters, and a target temperature of 18.7°C.
1. Define the Parameters
- Box dimensions:
- Length: 14 inches (0.356 m)
- Width: 12 inches (0.305 m)
- Height: 10 inches (0.254 m)
- Surface area (5 sides, excluding base): 0.5526 m²
- Wall material: Thermocol with thermal conductivity k = 0.033 W/m·K
- Wall thickness: d = 0.035 m
- Ambient temperature: T_ambient = 40°C
- Target temperature: T_box = 18.7°C
- Temperature difference: ΔT = 40 - 18.7 = 21.3°C
2. Heat Load Calculation
A. Conductive Heat Load
Using the formula:
Q_conductive = (k * A * ΔT) / d
Substituting values:
Q_conductive = (0.033 * 0.5526 * 21.3) / 0.035
Q_conductive ≈ 11.18 W
B. Heat from Stored Items
The heat load contributed by the stored items remains constant as assumed in the
original calculation:
Q_items = 60 W
C. Additional Internal Heat Sources
Include the heat generated by internal components (e.g., fans):
Q_internal = 2 W
D. Total Heat Load
Sum all heat contributions:
Q_total = Q_conductive + Q_items + Q_internal
Q_total = 11.18 + 60 + 2 = 73.18 W
3. TEC Module Capacity
Each TEC module typically provides a cooling capacity of 50 W, depending on efficiency
and heat sink performance.
For 3 TEC modules:
Q_TEC = 3 * 50 = 150 W
This cooling capacity is sufficient to handle the calculated heat load of 73.18 W with a
significant margin.
4. Coefficient of Performance (COP)
COP is the ratio of cooling capacity to input power:
COP = Cooling Load / Power Input
For 3 TEC modules:
- Power input per TEC: 12 V * 6 A = 72 W
- Total power input:
Power Input = 3 * 72 + Power for fans = 216 + 5 = 221 W
Substituting values:
COP = 73.18 / 221 ≈ 0.33