Design And Construction Of A Thermoelectric Mini Refrigerator Using Peltier Effect

Abstract

This project presents the design and implementation of a Thermoelectric Mini Refrigerator using the Peltier Effect, aimed at developing a compact, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly cooling solution. The system is built using four TEC1-12710 Peltier modules connected in parallel, along with aluminum heat sinks, 12V cooling fans, a 40A SMPS, and necessary control components like a fuse and a toggle switch. The objective was to achieve reliable cooling without the use of conventional refrigerants or compressors. During the initial phase, the system successfully reduced the temperature from 30°C to 16.9°C within 20 minutes. However, after two Peltier modules failed, the temperature dropped only to 22–23°C even after replacements, indicating a reduction in performance. This result emphasized the crucial role of using good quality components for optimal efficiency. Despite challenges, the project demonstrates the potential of thermoelectric cooling systems in low-capacity refrigeration and serves as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for specific use cases such as medicine or food preservation in off-grid or portable scenarios.