Engineering for People Challenge: Eco-Cooler Design Project, GEEN1128

This project focuses on the design and implementation of an eco-cooler, a cost-effective and environmentally friendly cooling system. The design utilizes readily available waste plastic bottles and cardboard to reduce room temperature. The solution details the step-by-step construction process, materials needed, and the working principle behind the eco-cooler, which relies on airflow velocity to maintain thermal equilibrium. The assignment addresses the Engineering for People Design Challenge, emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions in the context of Makers Valley, South Africa. It also includes relevant references and discusses the eco-cooler's potential in waste management and sustainable living. The project covers design criteria, alternative options, implementation plans, and student reflections, making it a comprehensive resource for engineering students.

ECO-COOLER DESIGN
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

HOW TO MAKE ECO-COOLER AT HOME
The recommended eco cooler design is one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions that
have the capability of reducing the temperature of the room by about 5oC.
Step 1: Collect waste
plastic bottles from
dumping sites
What is needed include:
1. Lots of plastic bottles
2. A cardboard
3. Pen-knife or scissors
Step 2: Cut holes on
the board, with sizes
equal to the rim of the
bottle
Step 3: Carefully cut
away the bottles in
half crosswise
Step 4: Mount the cut
bottles on the
cardboard by
screwing on the other
side
How Eco-cooler Works: The airflow velocity ensures that
the system maintains a thermal equilibrium in the room
by removing any temperature gradient in the room.

REFERENCES
Bhanuprakash, C., Mummina, V. & chakravarthi, M., 2018. Performance Evaluation of an Eco-Cooler analysed by varying the Physical
and flow Parameters. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Volume 377, p. 120.
Deziel, C., 2020. Does a Drink Stay Colder in a Metal Can or a Plastic Bottle? [online]. Sciencing.com. Available at:
https://sciencing.com/drink-metal-can-plastic-bottle-5518851.html, p. [Accessed 31 Jan. 2020]..
Faraca, G. & Astrup, T., 2019. Plastic waste from recycling centres: Characterisation and evaluation of plastic recyclability. Waste
Management, Volume 95, pp. 388-398.
Hossain, A., Ahmed, Z., Islam, S. & Kumar, A., 2019. Evaluation of cooling capability of an eco-cooler: experimental and numerical
analyses. Energy Procedia, Volume 160, pp. 100-107.
Kochenkov, N. & Motrev, A., 2016. The principle of mutual operation of air conditioning systems and radiant heating systems for
interior zones. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, pp. 18-27.
Mandaliya, D., 2020. Eco cooler. Skyfi Labs, pp. Available from: <https://www.skyfilabs.com/project-ideas/eco-cooler> .
Nowshin, N., 2020. Zero electricity air-con made of plastic bottles. [online] The Straits Times, pp. Available from:
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/zero-electricity-air-con-made-of-plastic-bottles [Accessed 31 January .
Patil, S., 2019. A Study on Global Warming and its Effects. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development,
Volume 3, pp. 120-123.
Ram, R., Hemanth, B., Kumar, A. & Rao, S., 2019. ROOM TEMPERATURE REDUCING ECO COOLER MADE FROM WASTE PLASTIC BOTTLES.
JP Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Volume 17, pp. 303-307.
Rusakov, S., 2017. The choice of the scheme of air distribution from ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the hall of the small
indoor ice rink. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, pp. 26-34.