The central role of the Peltier coefficient in thermoelectric cooling

This paper discusses the special role that the Peltier effect plays in thermoelectric cooling. From a particular energy balance for a thermocouple, we can conclude that the Peltier component pumps out the energy of all other terms: Joule, Fourier, Seebeck, and thermoelectric cooling. We emphasize also that in this energy balance, there is a need to include a new contribution, named after Seebeck that usually is not considered in the literature. We discuss a new method to evaluate the Peltier coefficient using measurements of the two temperature gradients at the junction of a thermocouple. An arrangement has been built to explore this method. A precise value for the Peltier coefficient of a thermocouple has been obtained but which deviates from the Kelvin relation. A better design of the experimental device is needed. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.