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Heat Sink Considerations - Thermoelectric

A thermoelectric cooler moves heat from one location to another when electric power is applied, creating a cold face and a hot face. The hot face must be attached to a suitable heat sink capable of dissipating both the pumped heat and joule heating. The type of heat sink used depends on the application and amount of heat to be dissipated. Natural convection heat sinks are only suitable for very low power applications, while forced convection and liquid-cooled heat sinks allow for better performance and the dissipation of more heat. Proper heat sink selection and design is important for optimal thermoelectric cooling system performance.

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36 views2 pages

Heat Sink Considerations - Thermoelectric

A thermoelectric cooler moves heat from one location to another when electric power is applied, creating a cold face and a hot face. The hot face must be attached to a suitable heat sink capable of dissipating both the pumped heat and joule heating. The type of heat sink used depends on the application and amount of heat to be dissipated. Natural convection heat sinks are only suitable for very low power applications, while forced convection and liquid-cooled heat sinks allow for better performance and the dissipation of more heat. Proper heat sink selection and design is important for optimal thermoelectric cooling system performance.

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NaranLogan
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5.

0 Heat Sink Considerations


5.1 Rather than being a heat absorber that consumes heat by magic, a thermoelectric cooler is a heat pump which
moves heat from one location to another. When electric power is applied to a TE module, one face becomes cold
while the other is heated. In accordance with the laws of thermodynamics, heat from the (warmer) area being cooled
will pass from the cold face to the hot face. To complete the thermal system, the hot face of the TE cooler must be
attached to a suitable heat sink that is capable of dissipating both the heat pumped by the module and Joule heat
created as a result of supplying electrical power to the module.
A heat sink is an integral part of a thermoelectric cooling system and its importance to total system performance
must be emphasized. Since all operational characteristics of TE devices are related to heat sink temperature, heat
sink selection and design should be considered carefully.
A perfect heat sink would be capable of absorbing an unlimited quantity of heat without exhibiting any increase in
temperature. Since this is not possible in practice, the designer must select a heat sink that will have an acceptable
temperature rise while handling the total heat flow from the TE device(s). The definition of an acceptable increase in
heat sink temperature necessarily is dependent upon the specific application, but because a TE module’s heat
pumping capability decreases with increasing temperature differential, it is highly desirable to minimize this value. A
heat sink temperature rise of 5 to 15°C above ambient (or cooling fluid) is typical for many thermoelectric
applications.
Several types of heat sinks are available including natural convection, forced convection, and liquid-cooled. Natural
convection heat sinks may prove satisfactory for very low power applications especially when using small TE devices
operating at 2 amperes or less. For the majority of applications, however, natural convection heat sinks will be
unable to remove the required amount of heat from the system, and forced convection or liquid-cooled heat sinks will
be needed.
Heat sink performance usually is specified in terms of thermal resistance (Q):

Ts – Ta
Qs=____________
Q
where:
Qs = Thermal Resistance in Degrees C per Watt
Ts = Heat Sink Temperature in Degrees C
Ta = Ambient or Coolant Temperature in Degrees C
Q = Heat Input to Heat Sink in Watts

5.2 Each thermoelectric cooling application will have a unique heat sink requirement and frequently there will be
various mechanical constraints that may complicate the overall design. Because each case is different, it is virtually
impossible to suggest one heat sink configuration suitable for most situations. We have several off the shelf heat
sinks and liquid heat exchangers appropriate for many applications but encourage you to contact our engineering
department.
Note that when combining thermoelectric cooling modules and heat sinks into a total thermal system, it normally is
NOT necessary to take into account heat loss or temperature rise at the module to heat sink junctions. Module
performance data presented herein already includes such losses based on the use of thermal grease at both hot and
cold interfaces. When using commercially available heat sinks for thermoelectric cooler applications, it is important to
be aware that some off-the-shelf units do not have adequate surface flatness. A flatness of 1mm/m (0.001 in/in) or
better is recommended for satisfactory thermal performance and it may be necessary to perform an additional
lapping, flycutting, or grinding operation to meet this flatness specification.
5.2.1 NATURAL CONVECTION HEAT SINKS: Natural convection heat sinks normally are useful only for low power
applications where very little heat is involved. Although it is difficult to generalize, most natural convection heat sinks
have a thermal resistance (Qs) greater than 0.5°C/watt and often exceeding 10°C/watt. A natural convection heat
sink should be positioned so that (a) the long dimension of the fins is in the direction of normal air flow, vertical
operation improves natural convection and (b) there are no significant physical obstructions to impede air flow. It also
is important to consider that other heat generating components located near the heat sink may increase the ambient
air temperature, thereby affecting overall performance.
5.2.2 FORCED CONVECTION HEAT SINKS: Probably the most common heat-sinking method used with
thermoelectric coolers is forced convection. When compared to natural convection heat sinks, substantially better
performance can be realized. The thermal resistance of quality forced convection systems typically falls within a
range of 0.02 to 0.5°C/watt. Many standard heat sink extrusions are available that, when coupled with a suitable fan,
may be used to form the basis of a complete cooling assembly. Cooling air may be supplied from a fan or blower and
may either be passed totally through the length of the heat sink or may be directed at the center of the fins and pass
out both open ends. This second air flow pattern, illustrated in Figure (5.l), generally provides the best performance
since the air blown into the face of the heat sink creates greater turbulence resulting in improved heat transfer. For
optimum performance, the housing of an axial fan should be mounted a distance of 8-20mm (0.31-0.75″) from the
fins. Other configurations may be considered depending on the application.

Figure (5.1) Forced Convection Heat Sink System Showing Preferred Air Flow
The thermal resistance of heat sink extrusions often is specified at an air flow rate stated in terms of velocity whereas
the output of most fans is given in terms of volume. The conversion from volume to velocity is:
Velocity = Volume / Cross-sectional Area of Air Passage
or: Linear Feet per Minute = Cubic Feet per Minute / Area in Square Feet
or: Linear Meters per Minute = Cubic Meters per Minute / Area in Square Meters
5.2.3 LIQUID COOLED HEAT SINKS: Liquid cooled heat sinks provide the highest thermal performance per unit
volume and, when optimally designed, can exhibit a very low thermal resistance. Although there are many
exceptions, the thermal resistance of liquid cooled heat sinks typically falls between 0.01 and 0.1°C/watt. Simple
liquid heat sinks can be constructed by soldering copper tubing onto a flat copper plate or by drilling holes in a metal
block through which water may pass. With greater complexity (and greater thermal performance), an elaborate
serpentine water channel may be milled in a copper or aluminum block that later is sealed-off with a cover plate. We
offer several liquid-type heat sinks that may be used advantageously in thermoelectric systems. With other
commercial heat sinks, always check the surface flatness prior to installation. While liquid cooling may be considered
undesirable and/or unsatisfactory for many applications, it may be the only viable approach in specific situations.

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