The discussion revolves around modeling ambient air around a thermoelectric module using COMSOL software. Participants are exploring the complexities of simulating air, particularly in relation to heat transfer and convection, within the context of undergraduate research.
Participants appear to agree that simulating still air is simpler than modeling convection, but there is no consensus on the necessary complexity for the air modeling in this specific context.
There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about air behavior, the specifics of convection modeling, and the experience level of participants with thermodynamics.
This discussion may be useful for undergraduate students or researchers new to COMSOL who are interested in thermal modeling, particularly in the context of thermoelectric applications.
Still air will be okay. Quite honestly, I am not so experienced with thermo to know how convecting air will behave differently. I l just need some blocks of air on the bottom of the TE and for the model to work and compile in a time dependent frame.DrClaude said:How complicated does the modelling of air need to be? Simulating still air is easy, convection not so much...