Performance optimization of a dual-thermoelectric-liquid hybrid system for central processing unit cooling

Thermoelectric cooling can quickly and efficiently remove heat from a central processing unit (CPU) to prevent its failure. However, simultaneous optimization of the cooling capacity and efficiency in the CPU cooling system remains a challenge. Here, a dual-thermoelectric-liquid hybrid system for the CPU cooling is designed to overcome this challenge. This work first analyzes the key performance indicators of CPU cooling and experimentally demonstrates the necessity of hybridizing the external thermoelectric cooling units with the employed thermoelectric-liquid cooling system. Influences of the inlet temperature and the volume flow rate were correspondingly studied and optimized step by step. Finally, an average coefficient of performance of 0.039 and a low CPU temperature of 42 °C are simultaneously approached within the working time ranging from 0 to 1800 s by stepwise optimizing the inlet temperature to 27 °C and the volume flow rate to 30 L h⁻¹. This study demonstrates that the dual-thermoelectric-liquid hybrid system can realize an effective CPU cooling with a high coefficient of performance.