Free convection heat transfer thermoelectric refrigerators

Optimization equations for free convection heat transfer thermoelectric refrigerators have been derived and used to design several units. These devices successfully eliminate the blowers usually required for substantial performance in thermoelectric refrigerators. This results in totally silent operation and an indefinite operating life. The over-all power requirement is also reduced. A characteristic of these refrigerators is that substantial heat must be transferred across very low metal-to-air temperature differentials. This is required to minimize power and material requirements. Equations for multi-fin heat exchangers for these conditions were developed and experimentally checked. Average air-to-metal temperature differentials as low as 3° F were measured under practical operating conditions.