Peltier cell operation

Peltier cells, also called frigistors, consist of a series of junctions made of different metals which can either work as thermocouples or as a heat pump. An educational kit, designed to study the behavior of a Peltier cell can also be used to investigate several interesting thermodynamics processes: liquid-solid and liquid-vapor phase transitions, supercooling, freezing point depression and boiling point elevation, latent heat of fusion measurements. The kit consists of two coupled Peltier cells, connected in series, with the “hot” side kept at room temperature by a fan and with the “cold” side in contact with an aluminium cup. Both the hot and the cold sides have a temperature sensor, and a third temperature sensor measures the temperature of the liquid inside the cup.