Jurnal Kejuruteraan 32(2) 2020: 231-238

https://doi.org/10.17576/jkukm-2020-32(2)-07

Modelling and Simulation of the Performance Analysis for Peltier Module and
Seebeck Module using MATLAB/Simulink
K.N. Khamila,b, M.F.M. Sabria*, A.M. Yusop b, R. Mohamedc & M.S.Sharuddinb
a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya, Malaysia
b
Advance Sensor and Embedded Control Research Group
Centre for Telecommunication Research & Innovation
Faculty of Electronic Engineering and Computer Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia
c
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Unversiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
*Corresponding author : faizul@um.edu.my

Received 20 February 2019, Received in revised form 18 June 2019

Accepted 15 April 2020, Available online 30 May 2020

ABSTRACT

Currently, the technologies used in power generation are not fully optimised and inefficient. The waste energy
produced from the machines, systems and the infrastructure have created interest in energy harvesting researches
especially the world is entering the Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). This paper investigates the analytical
modelling for both Peltier and Seebeck module in terms of the main parameters needed for quick evaluation
depending on user’s application such voltage, current, coefficient of performance and the efficiency, thermal
resistivity, total internal resistance, and Seebeck coefficient of the module. These parameters are normally given
by manufacturer of the module through the datasheet. MATLAB/Simulink was used to simulate from the base
equations. Graph representation of the output can be generated using several codes on Matlab command window.
The simulation was tested on TEP1-1994-3.5 and TES1-05350 where the results obtained agrees well with the
datasheet provided by the manufacturer which proved the MATLAB/Simulink’s modelling. The real experiment
data using Peltier Module, APH-127-10-25-S proved the analytical modelling with the percentage error between
simulation real experiments of 0.45% where the analytical simulation estimates the voltage output is 1.6340 V
while the experimental voltage output from the in-lab experiment is 1.6266 V at hot temperature of 61°C and cold
temperature of 27.5°C.

Keywords: peltier; seebeck; analytical modeling; thermoelectric; matlab; simulink

INTRODUCTION
electronic application are connected to each other
Energy efficiency and power management become (Morin, September 12, 2017, i-SCOOP.eu, 2018).
the core component when the Internet of Things The power usage of the connected devices has
(IoT) developed to be the backbone of the Industrial increase rapidly which results in the rise of energy
Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) where most of the cost. Hence, the energy harvesting method for

FIGURE 1. Research areas for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting (TEH)

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waste heat recovery such thermoelectric (TE), different number of modules, different temperatures
piezoelectric, and solar helps reduced the cost in and different airflow rate (Favarel, C., Bédécarrats,
power system (Bogue, R, 2015), (Bonisoli, E., Luc, J.-P., Kousksou, T., & Champier, D, 2015). For
D., Dr Guillaume Crevecoe, P., Di Monaco, F., these reasons, the process of development and
Tornincasa, S., Freschi, F., Repetto, M., 2014), testing which includes research in the modelling and
(Bonisoli, E., Manca, N., & Repetto, M., 2015), simulation areas are crucial for product development
(Zafar, M., Naeem Awais, M., Asif, M., Razaq, A., to predict the performance of the system first hand
& Amin, G., 2017), (Mohamed, R., Yusop, A. M., before developing it instantaneously. There are
Mohamed, A., & Nordin, N. I., 2016). significant amount of Peltier and Seebeck module in
Over the past few years, there are rise of the market for cooling application and power
interest for TE to be used in a lower power generation. A considerable amount of literature has
application or devices such wireless transceiver for been published on analytical modelling for the
data acquisitions purposes and sensors application. thermoelectric power generator.
There are immense of element in TE can be explored For instance, Wu Chih (1996) has presented
as shown in Figure 1 that can be categorized in few a numerical analysis of waste-heat thermoelectric
areas. In material studies, researchers are focusing power generators in several cases in terms of
on lower ZT materials with a high figure of merit in external and internal irreversible heat engine. The
order to achieve high efficiency for TE where the analysis made on the heat equation can be used for
elements like Mg–Mn silicides are seen as numerical simulation which can give much more
alternative thermoelectric materials to bismuth realistic generator specific power and efficiency
telluride, for the mid-temperature range that have prediction than the ideal thermoelectric generator.
high thermoelectric performances (Twaha et al., Meanwhile, Simon Lineykin and Sam Ben-Yaakov
2016) which falls under the areas of TE’s geometry (2005) presented the modelling and analysis of
development. Whereas, the studies in layout of the thermoelectric modules using SPICE (Lineykin and
system as shown in Figure 1 vary according to the Ben-Yaakov, 2007). Similarly, Mitrani, Daniel et.
application of the thermoelectric generator system Al (2009) also shows a one-dimensional modelling
(TEGS) from automation, house appliances like of TE devices but it only considered temperature
cook stove to water heater and many more. In the dependent parameters using SPICE (Mitrani et al.,
circuit management areas under the category of 2009). Both (Mitrani et al., 2009, Lineykin and Ben-
layout for the TEH system such M.R.Sarker, Yaakov, 2007) used SPICE as a method of analysis
NA.Mohamed, R. Mohamed (2016), proposed a where the governing equation are based on steady-
technique to run a low power electronics state lumped parameter three-port electrical model
applications that can be applied to boost up the and the equivalent circuit under steady state
voltage output in TEG by utilized the voltage condition. However, very few researchers made
doubler and bridgeless boost rectifier circuit to their analysis using MATLAB/Simulink.
increase the output voltage (M.R.Sarker, Regardless, how much progress of TE faces,
A.Mohamed, R. Mohamed, 2016). numerical analysis using computer simulation will
The method successfully increases the help to expedite the improvement of TE
voltage from 0.9 V to 3 V where the efficiency rises development for various applications.
tremendously from 6.1% to 71%. Meanwhile, Therefore, in addressing the mentioned
J.Sampe, N.A.A. Semsudin, F.F.Zulkifli, & B.Y. issues and research gaps, this project is focused on
Majlis (2017) demonstrated the ability to harvest using an analytical modelling for Peltier and
three form of energy (RF, thermal and vibration) Seebeck module developed using MATLAB/
where it managed to get an output of 2.12 V.As for Simulink which will be able to estimate the
improving the performance efficiency, method of performances specific parameters needed for
power conditioning using DC-DC converter shows a specific user application of any on-the-shelf module.
significant power output where it enhanced the In addition, the operating principle and the analytical
effectiveness of the system (J.Sampe, N.A.A. modelling simulation are discussed, and their
Semsudin, F.F.Zulkifli, & B.Y. Majlis., 2017). performances are validated with manufacturer’s
For instance, in marine application, the datasheet and in-lab experiment as well. The rest of
energy harvesting system (EHS) utilized the the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents
temperature gradient between hot lube oil inside the basic theory of thermoelectricity. Section 3
azimuth thruster and cold sea water outside thruster discusses the base equations used for the analytical
where it used different configuration and material to modelling simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and
enhance the performance of EHS, an enclosure is the experimental setup are clearly demonstrated.
added to increase the temperature gradient (Tang et The experiment results and the discussions are
al., 2017). Meanwhile, Favarel, C., Bédécarrats, J.- shown in Section 4 and conclusions are drawn in
P., Kousksou, T. & Champier, D demonstrated the Section 5.
performance improvement when the structures are
designed in three different configurations with
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Basic of Thermoelectric the basic characteristic of these modules which are

stated in the manufacturer datasheets
There are two types of TE module in the market,
Peltier module and Seebeck Module where Peltier i) Fundamental equation for Peltier Module
modules are used for the application of cooling and
power generation. Meanwhile, Seeback Module is According to previous researches (Ivaylo et al.,
only use for heat generation. The Seebeck effect 2017, Lineykin and Ben-Yaakov, 2007), features
stated the electromotive force (emf) or voltage are between Peltier and Seebeck module are similar to
produced after a significance temperature difference each other. Even though Peltier modules can be used
formed by two dissimilar metals or semiconductor: for power generation by heating up the cold side of
α12 = V/ΔT (1) the modules, the performance is more efficient in the
The dissimilarity of Seebeck coefficient between temperature range of 20 °C and 40 °C (Nesarajah
material 1 and 2 is noted as α12, the temperature and Frey, 2016). Most manufacturers of Peltier have
variation labelled as ΔT and the emf or voltage as V. set the following parameters to Tmax , Vmax , I max
In Peltier effect, when current is applied and the hot side temperature.
continuously into the conductor, full cycle is formed Therefore, using the information given from
and if different material is used, one junction in the datasheet, the parameters needed for analytical
cycle or loop will be cold and the others will be hot. modelling are: -
Qpeltier = αΔTI (2)
Rth. m 2
I stated as current flows in the loop or thermocouple. Z (3)
Hence, these fundamental theories are used for the Rint.
operation of the TE module (TEM). The
commercial TEM is coupled parallel to each other in
thermal while in terms of electrical, the Vmax
m 
thermocouple is connected in series. And the Th . (4)
number of thermocouples varies to outpit
Thermoelectric module comprises of an array of
Vmax (Th  Tmax )
thermocouples, connected in series, electrically and Rint 
in parallel, thermally as shown in Figure 2(c). I max Th .
(5)

Tmax 2Th
Rth 
I max Vmax (Th  Tmax )
(6)

where Rth is thermal resistivity, Rint is total internal

resistance of the module and  m is the Seebeck
coefficient of the module. The performance of the
module is analyzed in terms of the coefficient of
Q
performance (C.O.P) where C.O.P  (7)
VI .

FIGURE 2.(a) Peltier Effect (b) Seebeck Effect (c)

Commercial module is an array of thermocouple
sandwiched in between two ceramic plates. FIGURE 3. Main block diagram of Peltier Module
Analytical Modelling The expression of voltage, V is noted as

In this study, analytical modelling is performed for 𝑉 = 𝛼𝑚 ∆𝑇 + 𝐼𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑡 (8)

both Peltier module and Seebeck module to verify
While the heat absorbed, Q is given as
234

∆𝑇
𝑄 = 𝛼𝑚 𝐼𝑇𝐶 − 0.52 𝐼𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑡 − (9)
𝑅𝑡ℎ

However, if the Peltier module is used for power

generation, Palacios, R., Arenas, A., Pecharromán,
R. R., & Pagola, F. L. (2009) stated that the heat
emitted as

∆𝑇
𝑄 = 𝛼𝑚 𝐼𝑇𝐻 − 0.52 𝐼𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑡 + 𝑅𝑡ℎ
(10)

And the voltage for power generation using Peltier

module is FIGURE 5. MATLAB coding for Peltier analytical base
dependence.
𝑉 = 𝛼𝑚 ∆𝑇 − 𝐼𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑡 (11)
ii) Fundamental equation for Seebeck
The efficiency of the module for heat generation is Module
now noted as
In analyzing Seebeck module, most common
𝑉.𝐼 specification shown in the manufacturer datasheet
𝜂(𝑚) = 𝑄
(12)
would be the match load power, Wm , match load
Figure 3 shows the main block diagram of Peltier voltage, Vm with given temperature at both hot and
Module where the specification of the module is cold side, Th and Tc where some manufacturer
entered in the ‘Subsytem’ block Parameter such provided the optimal efficiency and internal
Tmax , Vmax , I max and the hot side temperature. resistance,  m and Rint .Similar to Lineykin, S., &
Current, I0 and TC will be varies using Repeating Ben-Yaakov, S., (2007), from given specifications,
Sequence Stair block from the Simulink according the analytical modelling for the below parameters is
to user application. specified as:
2   (Th  Tc )  mTc  
2
Z    1 (13)
Th  Tc   (Th  Tc )  mTc  
 

2Vm
m 
(Th  Tc )
(14)

Vm 2
Rint 
Wm . (15)

However, as the load, Rload of the system changes

FIGURE 4. Detailed subsystem block diagram of Peltier the efficiency changes as well and this effect the Rth
since Rload = Rint.m and m is noted the ratio of the
Figure 4 shows the detailed main diagram of the
modelling from the governing equations (3) – (8). resistance between the load and internal resistance.
Each equation is entered in ‘function’ block diagram
as shown above. However, with Th  Tc
I m (16)
MATLAB/Simulink, the output generated is stacked Rint (1  m)
in a single column which made it difficult to plot the
results for several conditions of the parameters. For
this reason, the analytical of the base-dependence for
Peltier can be model using the MATLAB code
Therefore, the efficiency m  f (I ) is: -
shown in Figure 5.

I 2 Rint 2.Z .m.(Th  Tc )

 (m)   (17)
qh 2(1  m)2  Z (Th  2mTh  Tc )
235

Rint
Rth  Z (18)
 m2

FIGURE 6 Details of MATLAB/Simulink block diagram for Seebeck module under the
Subsystem block diagram

By referring to Figure 6, the same Peltier’s base

block diagram was built where the parameter from
the given specification in the manufacturer datasheet Peltier TES1- Seebeck TEP1-
are entered. The parameters such the match load Module 05350 Module 1994-3.5
power, Wm , match load voltage, Vm with given Tmax 70 °C Vm 6.7 V
temperature at both hot and cold side, Th , Tc and Vmax 6.8 V Wm 7.5 W
occasionally the optimal efficiency and internal I max 5A Th 300 °C
resistance,  m and Rint are given too. Meanwhile, Th 27 °C Tc 30 °C
Figure 6 presents the modelling of the equations  5.5%
(13)-(18).
Numerical simulations are performed to TABLE 1 Specifications of Peltier and Seebeck Module
analyzed the cooling application and power (Thermonamic Module: TES1-05350, 2017),
generation for both Peltier and Seebeck Module. The (Thermonamic Module: TEP1-1994-3.5, 2017).
results obtained from the Peltier module and the
Seebeck module are evaluated as a function of Once calculated, the result is displayed in the graph
temperature difference (DT), current and voltage. of Figure 7, where Q0, heat removed from the
module versus the DT of different currents shows
Results and Discussion the importance of the performance of the module.
To prove the governing equations shown, two on- The numerical simulations show that at DT= 30°C
the-shelf modules are analysed between Peltier and and current, I0 = 5 A, the heat absorbed, Q0 is 11.98
Seebeck Module according to the specification W.
provide by the manufacturer as shown in Table 1.

Q0max
Heat removed, Q0

Q0

FIGURE 7 Heat removed versus temperature difference, DT at Th = 27°C

 236

U0

FIGURE 8 Coefficient of performances, C.O.P versus voltage, U0 at Th = 27°C

This confirms the datasheet from the manufacturer The equations were transferred into the block
which gives good agreement, Q0 = 12 W. Since diagram in Figure 4 for heat generation application
there will uncounted thermal losses from the contact and the condition was simulated according to the in-
with the ambient air or the clamper, Q0 must balance lab experiment setup (Khamil, K.N.; Sabri, M.F.M.;
any heat sources on the module cold side. The results Yusop, A.M.; Sharuddin, M.S., 2018). Depicted in
also established the datasheets specifications where Figure 10 below are the experiment data using
the Q0max obtained is 20.96 W. Peltier Module, APH-127-25-S where the
In (Adaptive Thermal Management, 2018), experimental voltage output from the in-lab
to reduce electricity usage and reduce the waste heat experiment is 1.6266 V at TH = 61°C and TC=27.5°C.
produced, a high C.O.P are necessary, but it depends
on the stability on the reasonable driving power or
DT and the efficiency of the module. However,
higher C.O.P only achievable at lower DT. The
results, as shown in Figure 8 above, indicate that
when DT= 20°C and U0 = 4.5 V, C.O.P is 0.72
which confirmed by the modelling.
Power (W) / Efficiency %
Voltage (V)

`
η
Figure 10 In- Lab experimental result in (Khamil, K.N.; Sabri,
U
0 M.F.M.; Yusop, A.M.; Sharuddin, M.S., 2018)

While from MATLAB/Simulink’s analytical

I simulation, it estimates the output voltage is 1.6340
V. The disagreement between experimental and
Current simulation at 0.45%. is considered an excellent
(A) estimation.
Figure 9 Current-Voltage curve of the Seebeck module

Further analysis for Seebeck module shown in CONCLUSION

Figure 9 where the power curve proved the current
obtained are 1.194 A at match load condition, In conclusion, the analytical modelling presented in
similar to the match load current from the this paper is an easy method to analyze the
manufacturer’s datasheet listed in Table 1 which are performance of the module parameters. The
U0 = 6.7 V, W = 7.5 W and η = 5.5 %. equations from the base-dependence are modelled
To prove this modelling even further, an in-lab into the Simulink block and graph representation of
experiment is done where the analytical modelling the output can be generated using several codes on
simulation follows the equations (10) – (11). MATLAB command window.

The results obtain agrees well with the datasheet

provided from the manufacturer which proved the
237

modelling and the in-lab experimental values TEC and TEG Characterization for a Road
validated the numerical simulation as well. The Thermal Energy Harvesting. Paper
modelling in MATLAB is a useful tool for the presented at the IEEE 2018 International
selection of suitable module for specific applications Conference on Sustainable Energy
Engineering and Application (ICSEEA),
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Tangerang, Indonesia.
Lineykin, S., & Ben-Yaakov, S. (2007). Modeling
This project is supported by Ministry of Education and analysis of thermoelectric modules.
Malaysia (MOE) (grant number: IEEE Transactions on Industry
FRGS/1/2017/TK07/FKEKK-CETRI/F00337) and Applications.
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. Mahidur R. Sarker*, Azah. Mohamed, & Mohamed,
R. (2016). Vibration Based Piezoelectric
Energy Harvesting Utilizing
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