HVAC Project: Solar Powered Air Cooler Design & Fabrication

This document details a mechanical engineering project focused on the design and fabrication of a solar-powered air cooler. The project aims to provide an affordable and energy-efficient cooling solution, especially for those who cannot afford traditional air conditioning systems. The project involves designing a compact solar-powered air cooler, understanding HVAC working principles, and incorporating a cooling cabin for food storage. The project was divided into three main sections: solar energy conversion, cool air generation using a centrifugal fan, and a cooling cabin for household food items. The project utilized NX 8.0 software for 3D modeling of the cooler fan. Challenges included cost estimation and temperature regulation, which were addressed by refining the budget and optimizing the cooling cabin's temperature control. The project emphasizes the use of non-conventional energy sources to reduce environmental pollution and household costs, and ultimately seeks to create a more efficient and sustainable cooling solution.

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Designing and Fabrication of Solar Powered Air Cooler
Location of the project: Please fill
Project Duration: Please fill
Organization: Please fill
Role and Designation during the time: Chief Project Developer
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
There is always an urgent requirement of systems like refrigeration and air conditioners
in hot and humid weather conditions. However, the power consumption of such systems are
extremely higher and even incur huge costs. The solar power system is considered as one of the
core path towards better sustainable energy system and hence this type of system would
comprise of several attractive characteristics. It could effectively serve larger latent loads as well
as improvise the indoor air quality after enabling more ventilation in tight controlling humidity.
During execution of this project, I had to successfully design and contrive a solar powered air
cooler with HVAC. I selected this problem majorly for providing relief to those individuals, who
do not have the ability to afford air conditioning systems. The production of electricity is
completely responsible for the hot and humid conditions like global warming. Maximum
quantity of electricity is being produced by fossil fuel and thus it was required to save energy.
Thus, in this project work, I have efficaciously proposed the most compact design for a solar

powered air cooler effectively after considering all technical and project specifications or
standards.
CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
I have maintained few of the most significant and major standards during the execution of
this particular project and for the reason that this type of designing or working parameters were
being followed efficiently. Therefore, for completing the project and even providing a perfect
design for the solar powered air cooler, I have developed few objectives:
 To suggest a detailed as well as compacted design for my solar powered air cooler
project.
 To make aware of the non-conventional energy sources for the reduction of
environmental pollution.
 To properly understand the complete working process of HVAC after using sensors and
DC loads.
 To make a separate section of cooling cabin for keeping household food items and hence
removing requirement of refrigeration.
 To be sure that high accuracy as well as efficiency is enhanced during making the solar
powered air cooler.
 To properly help all individuals to reduce their household costs by providing them a cost
effective solar powered air cooler.
 To use NX 8.0 software package for completing the 3D modelling of the cooler fan.

Project Supervisor
Chief Project
Developer (Me)
Team MemberTeam Member Team Member
CE 2.2.3 My area of work
Since I have experience in core mechanical engineering project and HVAC, I was
appointed as the main project developer here. After providing a compact design for the solar
powered air cooler project, I also have to help my respective fellow team members to understand
the subsequent requirements of project as well as the process or working principles of HVAC
with significant details. I divided this project into three sections, which were solar energy
conversion, cool air generation by centrifugal fan and cooling cabin for household food items.
CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: Team Members Associated with the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
In this particular project of the solar powered air cooler system, I was subsequently
assigned to propose a detailed as well as compact project designing. I even wanted to create the
air cooler more efficient in comparison to the refrigeration and air conditioner. For making this

project consume lesser power and cost effective, I had the responsibility to develop the project
that is being run by solar energy and cooling effect to be provided. Since I was chief project
developer here, I had the core responsibility for considering every important specification of
project like current, voltage and frequency. Regarding design considerations, I had to check the
supply of water through cooling pads. Moreover, for 3D modelling of the cooler fan, I had to use
the modelling software of NX 8.0, which is an advanced CAD software package. I also have the
duty to provide instructions to the team members, who were working under me.
CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of the Project
The major theories of mechanical engineering that I had to consider in this work was
operation principle of an air cooler. The solar power systems are being considered as one of the
major paths towards a more sustainable energy systems after considering the solar cooling
system with several attractive features. Apart from increasing the performances as well as
mandatory energy efficiency requirement, I had to check for the prevalent solar air cooling
technology. Since, I made a separate section for household food storing system, the requirement
of refrigeration was eradicated eventually. I also had to ensure the thermal comfort is being
determined by the room’s temperature, air speed and humidity. The radiant heat as well as heat
losses are extremely important factors for this thermal comfort. Before starting the work, I at first
checked for the production of electricity from several sources.

Figure 2: Production of Electricity from Several Sources
I even had to consider the working principle of HVAC in this work so that this particular
project can work in both heating and cooling situations. Furthermore, I had to ensure that this
project is much efficient and effective and does not consume high amount of fossil fuel under
any circumstance. Since, fossil fuels comprise of radioactive materials, majorly thorium and
uranium, it could be extremely dangerous for the users; I had to make this system free from
radioactive reactions. Moreover, the electricity generation produces sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide emissions that can contribute to acid rain and smog, emit CO2 that could contribute to
climate change.
CE 2.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
The major short coming, which I had during the project work was lack of problem
solving skill. During project execution, I did not have the ability to effectively solve every
situational problem that has occurred. However, I became eventually successful to use my core
skills or knowledge of mechanical engineering and HVAC and hence solved all of these
problems. Furthermore, my capability of thinking out of the box was one of the core advantage
in this project. NX 8.0 software allowed me to complete the 3D modelling of this project work.

CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and Task Performed
I had successfully accomplished this task after dividing the project into three sections,
which are conversion of solar energy, generation of cool air by centrifugal fan and cooling cabin
for the household food items. In the first and the foremost section, I converted the solar energy
after utilization of charge controller, inverter and battery. As soon as the solar energy is
converted to electrical energy with photo electric effect, it is being stored within the chemical
energy form in the battery. I employed the charge controller in between battery and solar panel
that helped my project from overcharging and protected against over voltage. Due to this
particular feature, battery performance was reduced and the stored energy directly could be
utilized for DC loads and require to be converted AC. In the second phase of generating cool air
by centrifugal fan, I ensured that the transfer of heat had occurred between air and water and
hence generated cool air.
Figure 3: Process of Generation of Cool Air by Centrifugal Fan
In the third section, I made a cooling cabin for the household food items with the helpful
of ceramic slabs. Regarding the design considerations, I calculated the capacity of fan and I did
the 3D modelling of the cooler fan with NX 8.0 and was able to complete it within deadline.

Figure 3: 3D Modelling of Cooler Fan
The calculations of solar panel are as follows:
The solar panel specifications are as follows:

Regarding battery, I calculated:
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
The most important technical difficulty that I have confronted in this work was while
calculating the costs of the project. I had given the responsibility to one of my sub ordinates to
estimate the project costs. However, he was unable to do it perfectly and the costs overshooted
our budget. This became a significant problem for this work and it incurred major delays. The
second technical difficulty was while setting the temperature of the project. I had previously
achieved wrong readings in temperature in the cooling cabin with respect to time.
2.3.4.2 Solutions
Regarding issue of budget, I made the budget myself and reduced the costs by reducing
the components required here.

Table 1: Components Required
Regarding the issue of temperature achieved, I was finally able to achieve the
temperature in cooling cabin in respect to time.
Table 2: Temperature Achieved in respect to Time
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I have eventually made a noteworthy strategy to produce an inventive work by applying
skills and knowledge of mechanical knowledge and HVAC. These types of creative and
innovative works were required for this project.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project Overview
The solar powered air cooler project was being utilized based on combination of
refrigeration and air conditioner within various location and movement as well as the operation
was accomplished easily and with efficacy.

CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I had to propose a compact design of solar powered air cooler for the project. I even had
to meet with my entire group so that we are able to clear our doubts regarding project. The major
errors were also eradicated by me.