I haven't watched it recently, but here are the main takeaways I remember:
Peltier coolers are neat because they're very small and quiet - as opposed to vapor compression systems solutions. However, they are an order of magnitude less energy efficient.
Also Peltier coolers still have to obey the laws of thermodynamics, which means that to cool one side of the mechanism, you must heat the other side. In order to do any substantial cooling, you need a way to dispose of that heat on the other side. This usually involves the use of radiators and fans, which negate much of the size and noise benefits.
As a result, Peltier coolers are pretty niché. Your use case would have to require only a little bit of cooling. You'd have to need a form factor that cannot accomidate a vapor cooling solution. And you'd have to be willing to make the system very energy inefficient.
AFAIK, no one has tried to build a Peltier cell paired with a heat pump. I am not an expert, but I would imagine that it's a path that could bring higher efficiencies. Thoughts?
I think there are some applications though. I remember PWMing a peltier element to cool something to more or less exactly 35°C. I didn't need to be efficient cooling, it just needed to be reliable under space constraints.
I am no hardware guy and I remember there was a giant heatsink despite the constraints. It was some kind of photosensor + lamp if I remember correctly.
I think there was also some software logic to reduce water condensing at something too cool compared to the ambient temperature.
CivBase|7 months ago
Peltier coolers are neat because they're very small and quiet - as opposed to vapor compression systems solutions. However, they are an order of magnitude less energy efficient.
Also Peltier coolers still have to obey the laws of thermodynamics, which means that to cool one side of the mechanism, you must heat the other side. In order to do any substantial cooling, you need a way to dispose of that heat on the other side. This usually involves the use of radiators and fans, which negate much of the size and noise benefits.
As a result, Peltier coolers are pretty niché. Your use case would have to require only a little bit of cooling. You'd have to need a form factor that cannot accomidate a vapor cooling solution. And you'd have to be willing to make the system very energy inefficient.
simonebrunozzi|7 months ago
quickthrowman|7 months ago
Unless you want to spend more energy that you remove in heat, stick with heat pumps and cooling towers.
IAmBroom|7 months ago
COP = Coefficient Of Performance, BTW. (Heat out) / (power in).
rs999gti|7 months ago
Thermoelectric cooling is not very good and takes a lot of energy to do.
otikik|7 months ago
raxxorraxor|7 months ago
I am no hardware guy and I remember there was a giant heatsink despite the constraints. It was some kind of photosensor + lamp if I remember correctly.
I think there was also some software logic to reduce water condensing at something too cool compared to the ambient temperature.
achow|7 months ago
[deleted]
bluGill|7 months ago