Abstract:
This paper presents the design and built of a temperature controlled box by utilizing a thermoelectric
module. Thermoelectric module is a heat pump that can provide either heating or cooling, depending on
the polarity of the applied potential difference across the module. The module is essentially built from a
series of semiconductors, sandwiched by ceramic layers as electrical insulator. It is usually used in the
heating and cooling application with the power less than 100 W.
A temperature controlled box for the temperature range between 15 and 40 °C, with the size of 220 mm x
220 mm x 300 mm was designed, built and tested. The box was properly insulated so that the maximum
heat gain/loss was far less than 58.6 Watt. This box used thermostatic temperature control. The direction
of polarity of potential difference was controlled using a switch. Thermoelectric module was supplied
with 14.9 Volt of potential difference and 2.5 Ampere of electrical current. The temperature inside the
box can be maintained within 1.5 Kelvin of the set point temperature in cooling mode, based on three
different measurement points in the box. A fan was used to circulate the air inside the box.
This temperature controlled box could be used in medical applications where the storage of vaccine and
blood may require lower temperature but they should be heated to about the body temperature before they
can be injected or transfuse to the patient
