Detailed Project on Design and Fabrication of Portable Air Conditioner

This project focuses on the design and fabrication of a portable air conditioner system, aiming for cost-effectiveness, portability, and energy efficiency. The project addresses the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), emphasizing cooling load estimation, thermal insulation, and material selection. The engineer encountered challenges related to manufacturing costs and thermal insulation, resolving them through budget revisions and the implementation of specialized engineering methods. The project successfully delivered a compact, transportable air conditioning system that provides both heating and cooling while maintaining environmental management through sensor integration and cost-effectiveness. A comparison of power consumption between VRF and water-cooled package systems is included, along with cooling load summaries and project timelines. The project underscores the application of mechanical engineering skills and knowledge in creating a practical and efficient air conditioning solution.

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Designing and Fabrication of Portable Air Conditioner
Location of the project: Please fill
Project Duration: Please fill
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Chief Mechanical Engineer and Developer
of the project
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Air conditioning is referred to as proper simulation controlling of air motion,
humidity, cleanliness and temperature after depending on the requirement that air
conditioning is being sub divided as per weather of the location. A specific air conditioner is
responsible for conditioning the air, transporting it and finally introducing it to the respective
conditioned location. It eventually provides both heating and cooling of air. While executing
this particular project, I to propose a complete and compact design of the portable air
conditioner system that could utilized at the most economical expenses. I ensured that the
selection of my system is dependent upon several factors like providing a complete
management of environment. It can either be at the lowest first expense or even at the lowest
running cost. Since, it is observed that the average peak load capacity of any metropolitan
city is more than 25000 MW, I decided to make air conditioner that will be producing heating
and cooling of air with only 23 watt fan. Therefore, in this project, I had successfully and

efficiently provided a compact design for a portable air conditioner that would be extremely
flexible, transportable and cost effective.
CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
While executing this project of Designing and Fabrication of Portable Air
Conditioner, I wanted to provide a solution that is easily used in all temperatures and all
locations. I also wanted to make this particular air conditioner system in such a manner that
it is able to save energy to a high level. Hence, for accomplishing this project work with
better efficiency, I have eventually developed few significant objectives:
 To efficiently provide a completed and compact design for the project of portable air
conditioner.
 To make the system so effective that it is able to provide both heating and cooling of
air.
 To make the system portable so that it is smaller in size and could be fit in any room
of a building.
 To ensure that the portable air conditioner provides transportability and could move to
anywhere easily and without much complexity.
 To make the portable air conditioner system based on air water system and within the
system, the room unit can eventually supply both chilled and processed air.
 To ensure that the system saves energy and the only source of power in this system is
a 23 watt fan that requires lesser energy even than an electric bulb.
 To provide sensors so that this particular air conditioner system has a complete
management of environment and is cost effective so that it could be consumed by all
customers.

Supervisor of the
Project
Team Member of
the project
Team Member of
the project
Chief Mechanical
Engineer and Project
Developer (Me)
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
As, while accomplishing the project works, I had experiences in similar field work
regarding mechanical projects such as HVAC or heating, ventilation and air conditioning, I
was eventually appointed as the chief mechanical engineer as well as project developer. I
even have subsequent leadership skill and skill for problem solving, hence I was selected by
my project supervisor to accomplish the project objectives.
CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
Being mechanical engineer by profession in this project, I had the responsibility was
to propose a compact and complete design of the portable air conditioner and fabricate it
efficiently. I knew that a 1.5 ton room air conditioner can consume up to 1500 units of power
within one single hour that is adequate for producing 30 kilograms of ice in any ice factory.
For this purpose, I had to ensure my project system can produce hot and chilled air

simultaneously without much complexity. Since, I had worked with several similar projects
related to HVAC, I did not face much issue during execution of this work. One of the major
responsibilities I had in this project was to maintain flexibility in the system. This flexibility
was extremely required in intensity of cooling capacities and duration of cooling. I made it
for suiting a proper requirement and the smaller unit could easily cool any room of 120
square feet. I even provided sensors so that this cooling could remain for 2 to 3 long hours.
Another important and significant responsibility that I comprised of in this specific project
was that I had to make sure that my end product is cost effective. For this purpose I kept the
manufacturing cost lower.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of Project
In this particular project work of portable air conditioner system, I took up the basic
theory of heating, ventilation and air conditioning or HVAC. The total heat needed was to be
eradicated from the space for bringing it at the desired temperature by this air conditioning as
well as refrigeration equipment. It is termed as cooling load. The major purpose of the load
estimation is eventually determine the overall refrigeration size maintenance of the inside
design conditions. I checked that my design load of the system was based on the outside and
inside design conditions. The first and the most significant factor that I had considered here
was objectives of my customer so that they are able to get relief from the temperature. Lower
costs and occupancy were the two other factors that I had considered while execution of the
project. Moreover, the feasibility to reduce thermal load after selecting the construction
alternatives and precooling could be introduced within reducing load. I have also considered
the theory of latent heat gain and sensible heat gain for making system work during extreme
hot weather.

Figure 2: Graph Showing Human Comfort in Summer and Winter
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
To execute this project work, I had successfully applied each and every core skill and
knowledge for mechanical engineering and HVAC. The distinctive knowledge regarding
complete working principle of HVAC and portable system were then applied in this work.
Furthermore, I have even applied my major skills of logical reasoning. To properly connect to
the HVAC system and use subsequent tools like carbon monoxide tester and acetylene torch
for testing installation and maintenance of this system. Troubleshooting is yet another
significant skill applied in this work.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and Task Performed
I had successfully accomplished this project of portable air conditioner system. I paid
attention to the temperature ranging and I kept my project work within the temperature range
of 20 to 250C. Regarding movement of air, I kept it limited to 8 to 15m per minute.
Moreover, regarding humidity, I maintained it within 30 to 70%. At first all the aluminium
rods were taken, a hole is being bored through the middle of every open ended aluminium rod
to tie them with a steel wire even before tying them. Next, three layers of 15 open ended
aluminium pipes were being placed at the bottom of bucket. I then ensured that an aluminium
sheet was being wrapped and a strip of aluminium sheet is being cut in the space, in which

the air could enter into the bucket. Finally, I achieved thermal insulation within the objects
with properly engineered method for materials, shapes and objects.
The head load calculations in this project are as follows:
For the heat transfer co-efficient for the laminar flow was:

CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
The former technical difficulty, which I have faced within the project was while
making the project cost effective. Although, I had to ensure that this project does not incur

huge costs, I was unable to reduce the manufacturing costs in the beginning. This created a
major issue as one of the objective was not being followed. The second distinctive technical
difficulty that I have confronted in this particular project was during thermal insulation. Due
to some issue, the thermal insulation could not be achieved in the first go and this brought
delay in my project.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
I was able to find out relevant and suitable solutions for the two technical difficulties
in this project. For the very first issue of manufacturing cost, I consulted with the supplier and
my supervisor. We made an entirely new budget plan and hence finally was able to remove
this issue effectively. For the next issue of thermal insulation, I gave the solution to use
specially engineered method with materials, shapes and objects.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I had to make a plan for my team and team members so that distinctive innovative
works are being completed efficiently. This subsequent planning was extremely helpful to us
for making our project successful. Furthermore, I decided to identify the errors properly.
CE 1.4 Project Review
CE 1.4.1 Project Overview
This complete project was executed only after consideration of few important and the
subsequent characteristics of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. I followed all the
specifications for making the project extremely effective and portable. This portable air
conditioner was even cost effective and transportable.

CE 1.4.2 My Contribution to work
I was selected as the developer of the project and mechanical engineer within the
project. I had completed my task after creation of a portable and transportable air
conditioning system that could bring out better efficiency and results. My other contributions
included eradicating of errors.