Analisis Kinerja Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) Sebagai Refrigerator Dengan Variasi Laju Aliran Fluida Pendingin

Abstract

Penelitian ini menganalisis kinerja Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) sebagai sistem pendingin alternatif ramah lingkungan dengan variasi laju aliran fluida pendingin. Latar belakang penelitian didasari keterbatasan sistem pendingin konvensional yang menggunakan refrigeran kimia, boros energi, dan kurang portabel. TEC dipilih karena berukuran kecil, portabel, serta tidak memerlukan refrigeran. Pengujian dilakukan secara eksperimental dengan tiga variasi debit fluida pendingin, yaitu 2𝑥10−6 m³/s, 5𝑥10−6 m³/s, dan 8𝑥10−6 m³/s. Parameter yang diamati meliputi kalor yang diserap sistem (Qc), Coefficient of Performance (COP) sistem, COP TEC, serta kestabilan suhu pendinginan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peningkatan debit aliran menghasilkan nilai Qc dan COP sistem yang lebih tinggi, dengan COP maksimum diperoleh pada debit 8𝑥10−6 m³/s. Namun, debit tinggi juga menimbulkan fluktuasi suhu yang lebih besar sehingga kestabilan menurun. Sebaliknya, debit rendah menghasilkan pendinginan lebih stabil meskipun kapasitasnya terbatas. Selain itu, COP TEC cenderung lebih rendah dibandingkan COP sistem karena hanya merepresentasikan kinerja ideal modul tanpa memperhitungkan rugi-rugi sistem. Kesimpulannya, laju aliran fluida sangat memengaruhi kinerja TEC, di mana debit tinggi sesuai untuk pendinginan maksimum, sedangkan debit rendah lebih tepat untuk aplikasi yang membutuhkan kestabilan suhu. This study analyzes the performance of a Thermoelectric Cooler (TEC) as an environmentally friendly alternative cooling system with variations in coolant flow rate. The research is motivated by the drawbacks of conventional refrigeration, which uses chemical refrigerants, consumes high electrical energy, and lacks portability. TEC was chosen for its compact size, portability, and refrigerant-free operation. Experiments were conducted with three coolant flow rates: 2𝑥10−6 m³/s, 5𝑥10−6 m³/s, and 8𝑥10−6 m³/s. The parameters observed were system heat absorption (Qc), system Coefficient of Performance (COP), TEC COP, and cooling temperature stability. The results indicate that higher coolant flow rates increase both Qc and system COP, with the highest COP recorded at 8𝑥10−6 m³/s. However, this condition also led to greater temperature fluctuations, reducing stability. Conversely, lower flow rates produced more stable cooling performance but limited capacity. Additionally, TEC COP values were consistently lower than system COP, as they represent only the ideal performance of the module without accounting for heat losses in the system. In conclusion, coolant flow rate significantly affects TEC performance. High flow rates are suitable for applications requiring greater cooling capacity, while low flow rates are preferable when temperature stability is prioritized.