The experimental data of performance mapping of propane thermoelectric sub-cooler

As responsible for 7.8% of global greenhouse emissions, the heat pump and refrigeration sectors are important in achieving sustainable development goals [1]. To reduce emission levels, traditional environmentally harmful working fluids that cause ozone depletion, which are listed in the Montreal Protocol [2], are being phased out. Furthermore, energy efficiency studies were conducted to improve the performance of the standard cycle. One way to increase the performance of the cycle is to use subcooling methods, that is, further cooling the working fluid in the condenser/gas-cooler [3]. Among the alternatives, the thermoelectric subcooling method is promising because of easy implementation, serving both in heating and cooling with thermoelectric modules (TEM), and adaptability to different capacities.

The main aim of this study is to create a performance mapping of a thermoelectric subcooler (TESC) under different operating conditions and generate comparative results of two different manufacturing methods, conventional drilling and welding, and 3-D printing, that were used on the R290 heat exchanger of the TESC. According to the results, it was shown that the 3-D printed R290 heat exchanger was superior to a conventionally manufactured R290 heat exchanger in terms of thermal performance. Results showed that 3-D printed TESC can provide 270 W of additional cooling capacity with a cooling coefficient of performance of 1.22, while simultaneously providing 490 W of heating capacity with a heating coefficient of performance of 2.22.