University of San Carlos Technological Center

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

Nasipit, Talamban, Cebu City
Cebu City, Philippines

Design and Fabrication of a Portable Self Cooling

Water Container using Peltier Diodes

Researcher:

Ragasajo, Ryan Christian J.

BSME 4

Submitted to:

Engr. Emmanuel Sanchez

 CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

I. INTRODUCTION

The start of a modern era was a product of not something new but it was

through constant change of past traditions. Present liquid containers have always been

a hassle in terms of retaining the desired temperature of the medium (the liquid

substance). Because of this hassle, people start to innovate thus creating a method of

retaining heat through insulation. They have made use of products like foam to insulate

different containers to maintain the liquids temperature for quite some time. However,

this method of retaining temperature is already not enough. People start to thrive for

constant temperature in drinking liquids. With this desire, the birth of the cooling/

heating dispenser came about. Yet with this kind of innovation, it is still not enough.

People need portable methods in retaining temperature in drinking substance to quench

their thirst in daily activities at any given place and time.

Because of this desire of a portable device which can cool or heat drinking liquid

anywhere and anytime, this research has suggested a specialized container which runs

on dc battery that can heat or cool liquids through portable means. In this specialized

container, people can quench their desire for thirst.

 Background of the Study

Among the many reasons for the study and utilization of the machine,

convenience is probably the most important. This self-cooling water container is

a handy portable device to lower or maintain the temperature of a liquid in it

through the use of a peltier diode.

Statement of the Problem

A water container is a device that can hold liquids. It is commonly brought

to work or school so that the thirst of an individual is quenched. One problem is

that the temperature of the liquid inside this container cannot be maintained.

This study aims to bring a solution to the minor problem.

Significance of the Study

In the 21st century, or commonly known as the modern era, has

developed several devices that could enhance an individuals way of living. This

study will be of great significance in finding an alternate device for a water jug

that could maintain a desired temperature and is portable and convenient. The

device could be used every day especially in work or school.

II. GENERAL OBJECTIVES

A water container or a tumbler is a device that is made from plastic, glass

or metal. It is primarily used as a drinking glass. One of the problems brought about by

this device is that it cannot maintain a desired temperature. This study aims to create a

portable and convenient prototype that could either lower the temperature of the

substance inside the medium or maintain it. This could be achieved through the use of

a peltier diode or commonly known as a thermoelectric cooler.

The main purpose of this study is to construct a portable water container which

could cool its contents in its own.

Specifically, it aims to:

cool its contents to a desired temperature

cool its contents with a rechargeable battery

determine the time the water container maintains its temperature

compare the prototype and an ordinary water container in terms of

the length of time it maintains its desired temperature.

III. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study utilizes different materials. Most of these materials are available

through junk shops in Cebu. The thermoelectric diode, which is the core material

of this device, is difficult to obtain here in the province. It is obtainable online. A

 regular tumbler, a thermoelectric cooler, a heatsink, some thermal paste, a

cooling fan, and a couple batteries were needed for the creation of the

prototype.

The expenses of the study will depend upon quantity of the materials and

the material used in making the tumbler.

IV. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Peltier Effect

The thermoelectric effect is the direct conversion of temperature differences to

electric voltage and vice-versa. A thermoelectric device creates a voltage when there is

a different temperature on each side. Conversely, when a voltage is applied to it, it

creates a temperature difference. At the atomic scale, an applied

temperature gradient causes charge carriers in the material to diffuse from the hot side

to the cold side.

The Seebeck effect is the conversion of temperature differences directly

into electricity and is named for German-Estonian physicist Thomas Johann Seebeck,

who, in 1821 discovered that a compass needle would be deflected by a closed loop

formed by two metals joined in two places, with a temperature difference between the

junctions. This was because the metals responded differently to the temperature

difference, creating a current loop and a magnetic field. Seebeck did not recognize
there was an electric current involved, so he called the phenomenon the

thermomagnetic effect. Danish physicist Hans Christian rsted rectified the mistake and

coined the term "thermoelectricity". The voltage created by this effect is of the order of

severalmicrovolts per kelvin difference. One such combination, copper-constantan, has

a Seebeck coefficient of 41 microvolts per kelvin at room temperature.[2]

The voltage V developed can be derived from:

where SA and SB are the thermopowers (Seebeck coefficient) of metals A and B as a

function of temperature and T1 and T2 are the temperatures of the two junctions. The

Seebeck coefficients are non-linear as a function of temperature, and depend on the

conductors' absolute temperature, material, and molecular structure. If the Seebeck

coefficients are effectively constant for the measured temperature range, the above

formula can be approximated as:

Peltier Cooler

A peltier cooler is a cooler that uses a peltier element (TEC). Peltier coolers

consist of the peltier element itself, and a powerful heatsink/fan combination to cool the

TEC. The typical maximum temperature difference between the hot side and the cold

side of a TEC, referred to as delta Tmax, is around 70C.

 The figure of merit for thermoelectric devices is defined as where

is the electrical conductivity, is the thermal conductivity, and S is the Seebeck

coefficient or thermopower (conventionally in V/K). This is more commonly expressed

as the dimensionless figure of merit ZT by multiplying it with the average temperature

((T2 + T1) / 2). Greater values of ZT indicate greater thermodynamic efficiency, subject

to certain provisions, particularly the requirement that the two materials of the couple

have similar Z values. ZT is therefore a very convenient figure for comparing the

potential efficiency of devices using different materials. Values of ZT=1 are considered

good, and values of at least the 34 range are considered to be essential for

thermoelectrics to compete with mechanical generation and refrigeration in efficiency.

To date, the best reported ZT values have been in the 23 range.

It is important to note that the heat will be moved (or 'pumped') in the

direction of charge carrier flow throughout the circuitactually, it is the charge

carriers that transfer the heat. In this example, 'N-type' semiconductor

material is used to fabricate the pellet so that electrons will be the charge

carrier within the molecular structure. With the electrons flowing through the

N-type material from bottom to top, heat is absorbed at the bottom junction

and actively transferred to the top junctionit is effectively pumped by the

charge carriers through the semiconductor pellet.

Peltier Module

TE Technology's Thermoelectric, or Peltier Cooling Modules (also known as a TEC

or a TEM) come in a wide variety of types and sizes. While typically used for cooling,

they can also be used for heating (by reversing the electric current flow) and

even power generation.

Thermoelectric generators (also called thermogenerators) are devices which

convert heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy, using a

phenomenon called the "Seebeck effect" (or "thermoelectric effect"). Their typical

efficiencies are around 5-10%. Older Seebeck-based devices used bimetallic junctions

and were bulky while more recent devices use bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)

semiconductor p-n junctions and can have thicknesses in the millimeter range. These

are solid state devices and unlike dynamos have no moving parts, with the occasional

exception of a fan. Thermoelectric modules are solid-state devices (no moving parts)

that convert electrical energy into a temperature gradient, known as the "Peltier effect"

or convert thermal energy from a temperature gradient into electrical energy, the

"Seebeck effect." TE modules may also be used as thermocouples for temperature

measurement. This discussion will focus on the use of thermoelectric modules TEMs for

cooling TECs and for temperature stabilization.

As a practical matter it is only possible reach either heat pumping capacity in

DTmax is the maximum temperature difference between the hot and cold side of the

module when optimal power is applied and there is no heat load (Q=0). As a thermal
load Q is added, the difference in temperature between the two surfaces will decrease

until the heat pumping capacity or Qmax value is achieved and there is no net cooling

(DT=0). Since your application will likely require net cooling of an object with a thermal

mass, the actual heat pumped or Q will be less than Qmax and the actual difference in

temperature will be less than the DTmax.

Disadvantages of Using Peltier Coolers

High electricity cost

Sometimes inefficient

Can lead to malfunctions in the system specifically short circuit

Not so reliable and powerful

Can sometimes lead to overheating

Cause too much condensation in the system

Advantages of Peltier Cooling

Possibility of arbitrary modification of the size of the cooling unit

Possibility in cooling in arbitrary position

Absence of moving parts

Possibility of very precise temperature control

Silent running and absence of shocks

Freon free technology

 Service durability for at least ten years

Possibility to achieve very low temperature (-80 degrees Celsius)

Possibility of heating and cooling by the same module

Possibility of modular construction of cooling systems

V. METHODOLOGY

1. Materials will first be gathered either locally or through online orders.

2. To start off the fabrication of the prototype, the insulator must be removed from the

water container (tumbler).

3. After removing the insulator, the peltier diode will be attached to the heatsink with

the application of thermal paste.

4. The cooling fan must also be attached to the bottom of the sink to help regulate

temperature.

5. The dry cells will then be connected to the cooling fan and peltier diode.

6. Next is to attach the water container to the peltier diode with the heatsink with the

use of the soldering iron.

7. After the prototype is built, sample water will be tested for the change in

temperature using a thermometer.

VI. PROJECT TIMETABLE
VII. REFERENCES

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Mitchell, R. (2007).Peltier Effect Definition. In Britannica. Retrieved March 9, 2017

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Widdleton C. (2009).The Heatsink Guide. In Heatsink guide. Retrieved March 9, 2017.

from http://www.heatsink-guide.com/peltier.htm

Anonymous (2005). What is the Peltier Effect?.In Wise Geek.Retrieved March 9, 2017.

from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-peltier-effect.htm

Anonymous (n.d.).Peltier Effect.In Search Networking. Retrieved March 9, 2017.

from http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Peltier-effect