A thermoelectric module (or TM) is a device working on the basis of Peltier effect which allows turning heat into electricity or vise-versa for a wide range of industrial equipment and consumer products.
A thermoelectric module (or TM)
Combining a range of advantages such as silent operation, solid design, the absence of moving parts and vibrations, as well as absence of hazardous materials (or any gas or fluid), thermoelectric modules have found various applications in a whole range of industries:
- In the telecom industry, TMs are used to provide cooling for transmission lasers, photo-diodes, as well as to stabilize the temperature of the optical channel
- Biomedical industry benefits from the usage of thermoelectric modules in DNA analyzers and various temperature stabilization equipment
- Automotive industry widely uses thermoelectric modules for in-cabin refrigerators, climate seats as well as air-conditioning and electric power generation
- In the photonics industry, TMs are utilized for lasers systems cooling, temperature stabilization, and various sensors/detectors
- TMs are used as well in various consumer devices such as picnic boxes, water chillers and dehumidifiers.
Another reason for such a wide variety of industries which use TM technology is configurability and scalability of thermoelectric modules. Unlike the traditional cooling devices like evaporation-based refrigerators, heat pumps or fans, TMs can be miniaturized or scaled up for larger cooling/heating needs as well as provide spot cooling or heating.
Underlying principles
Peltier effect is at the core of the functioning of any thermoelectric element. When electric power goes through a contact of two different current-conducting materials, one of them gets hotter, while the other cools down.
The same effect can be used in reverse order – for generating electricity when the “hot” part of the thermoelectric element receives a heat flux. Moreover, TM can act both as a cooling or heating element which is important for cases when precise temperature calibration is needed for some technological purposes.
TEMs types
Ferrotec Nord developed a range of TMs types, each one designed specifically for certain types of tasks.
- Single stage — thermoelectric modules which can generate up to 73o C difference between hot and cold sides
- Multistage TMs – offer a higher temperature difference than single-stage ones
- Micro TMs – thermoelectric modules downscaled for applications where small size matters
- Cycling TMs — are widely used when a rapid change in temperatures is needed (for example in analytical or testing equipment)
- Generating TMs — used to generate electricity from the heat supply directed at TM
Besides these types of TMs Ferrotec Nord offers a development of customized thermoelectric modules for specific technological needs of its customers.
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