Analysis of performance and optimum configuration of two-stage semiconductor thermoelectric module

In this paper, the theoretical analysis and simulating calculation were conducted for a basic two-stage semiconductor thermoelectric module, which contains one thermocouple in the second stage and several thermocouples in the first stage. The study focused on the configuration of the two-stage semiconductor thermoelectric cooler, especially investigating the influences of some parameters, such as the current I_1 of the first stage, the area A_1 of every thermocouple and the number n of thermocouples in the first stage, on the cooling performance of the module. The obtained results of analysis indicate that changing the current I_1 of the first stage, the area A_1 of thermocouples and the number n of thermocouples in the first stage can improve the cooling performance of the module. These results can be used to optimize the configuration of the two-stage semiconductor thermoelectric module and provide guides for the design and application of thermoelectric cooler.