Design and Development of a Thermoelectric Beverage Cooler

1. Design and Development of a Thermoelectric Beverage Cooler By: Brandon Carpenter Andrew Johnston Tim Taylor Faculty Advisor: Dr. QuamrulMazumder University of Michigan - Flint

2. Objective • Refrigerator designed for cooling large multiple items • Inefficient if only a single item is to be cooled • Due to size is non-portable • Technology requires coolant, compressor, and cumbersome tubing

3. Objective • Apply concept of refrigerator to a small scale device • Solid-state, eliminate need for coolants • Portability; can be taken wherever needed • Concentrate cooling onto single object to be cooled, eliminate energy waste in cooling empty space

4. Objective Turn This Into This

5. Engineering Approach • Use Peltier thermo cooler to provide cooling • Use tight fitting aluminum sleeve to enhance conductivity • Machine base to match contour of can bottom • Use fans with heat sink to remove heat • Power with drill battery

6. Preliminary Calculations • Initial goal: to cool a can from 700F to 350F in approximately 5 minutes. • Required Cooling Rate: q= ρ V c q= (1000kg/m3)( 3.54(10-4)m3)( 4.189kJ/kg∙K)( .0533 K/second) This gives a value for q of .079 kW, or 79 Watts.

7. Further Calculations • Base: ΔT = 16K kAl = .58W/m•K A= .00383m2 dx= .0051m • q = kA q= (.58)(.00383)(3137) q = 6.99W • Sleeve: ΔT = 16K kAl = .58W/m•K L = .108m r1= .0327m r2= .0349m • q = 2πLk q= 2π(.108)(.58) = 95.4W [3] • Total Cooling = 95.4W + 6.99W = 102.4W

8. Main Components • Peltier Cooler Model TEC1-12709 Rated for 90W/ 139W Max

9. Notes on Cooler • While a cooler with a higher rated wattage would theoretically be able to remove more heat, it creates more heat due to resistance and requires a much larger heat sink. • In order to remain portable a smaller cooler was needed, affecting cooling time.

10. Main Components • Sleeve 6061 Aluminum Cut to appropriate length 2.62” Inner Diameter 0.065” Wall Thickness

11. Main Components • Machined Base 6061 Aluminum Designed to accommodate various cans, as dimensions can differ

12. Manufacturing / Assembly • Aluminum tubing was cut into appropriate • lengths to make sections • Beverage Compartment • Fan Housing (which was not used) • Wiring Compartment • Battery Compartment

13. Manufacturing / Assembly • Discs were made to serve as plates between sections and for mounting purposes

14. Manufacturing / Assembly • Components were assembled using machine screws and adhesives

15. Manufacturing / Assembly • Insulation was placed around beverage compartment • Thermal paste was applied between thermo cooler, heat sink, top disc, base, and sleeve

16. Testing Procedure

17. Testing Procedure • A 12 oz. pop can is filled with water and placed in the beverage compartment • Initial temperature of the water is recorded • Cooler is turned on, and temperature is recorded in two minute intervals • Additionally, the ambient air temperature, starting battery voltage, and final battery voltage are recorded to check for any correlation

18. Testing Procedure • For each test, the data is entered into an Excel spreadsheet For comparison purposes, a similar test was conducted using a refrigerator

19. Results Data in graph form

20. Discussion • Refrigerator – constant 0.317⁰F / min • Cooler - maximum 0.65⁰F / min - average 0.317⁰F / min • In terms of the cooler outperformed the refrigerator • Could only maintain this cooling level for short period due to battery

21. Conclusion • With available technology idea is not yet practical • Current Peltier coolers are not very efficient, require large heat sinks which hinder portability • Also battery power/size ratio insufficient for portability