Rapid Beverage Chiller

Purpose

The purpose of this Instructable is to guide the construction of a Rapid Beverage Chiller. Through the use of control systems to activate and deactivate the system, this device will cool down a beverage from 72 degrees Fahrenheit down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This project will require the use of a 3D printer

Tools Used:

Table Saw
Band Saw

CNC machine

File

Brush

3D Printer

Materials Used:

70"x30"x1" Particle Board

4 Peltier Chips

2 DC fans

1 DC motor

1 DC pump

4 Heat sinks

12"x6"x1" copper sheet

Clear Acrylic Sealant Silicon

Gorilla Glue

1 Quart Miniwax Fast-drying Polyurethane Clear Satin

Thermal Paste

Chalk

Previously, the group had used particle board dimensions, cut and sanded down the edges in regards to the design. The housing, heat sink mount and fan mount were to all be made from particle board and then water proofed with polyurethane. The heat sinks and peltier chips were secured together with thermal paste and fastened to the mount using screws, while the fan was bolted to its respective mount. The team ultimately experience issues getting the particle board into the correct tolerances, and concerns with the water proofing elements lead to the team changing the material from particle board to PLA from a 3D printer.

The housing for the Rapid Beverage Chiller, will contain the reservoir of water that will circulate through the system, the contact point for the water and the peltier chips, and the containment of the beverage being chilled. The construction of the housing was done through the use of a 3D printer.

Begin by measuring the copper sheet into the appropriate size of CxC. Once measuring has been completed, begin cutting the sheet of copper into the appropriate size.

Mounts will be used to hold heat sinks and fans in place. These mounts were created through the use of a 3D printer and the use of bolts to fasten heat sinks and fans to their respective mounts.

Using a wooden dowel, the team used a drill press to create a hole for the motor to connect to the wooden dowel. The wooden dowel must also be treated in for water resistance, using polyurethane layer multiple thin coats using the manufacturers suggested directions. The wooden dowel must also be cut to properly fit the housing of the Rapid Beverage Chiller.

Depended on the size, shape and quality of the copper sheet being utilized, it may require cutting, hammer and grinding for the copper sheet to fit your Rapid Beverage Chiller. Due to the size, shape, and quality of the copper sheet, it required grinding for it to fit within the tolerances of the housing.

To protect the user/operator and the fan itself, a mesh cover has been placed over it to prevent the insertion of fragile material. In addition, legs have been incorporated into the design to remove the load of having the Rapid Beverage Chiller rest on the fans

Using the particle board mount as a reference secure the heat sink to the mount using Clear Arcylic Sealant. Upon securing the heat sink to the mount secure the peltier chips to each heat sink use thermal paste as needed and apply moderate pressure over night using clamps to ensure proper adhesion.

Using the particleboard mount image as a reference orient the fan in the direction of flow and use 4 bolts to fasten the fans to the mount.

Secure both mounts together using Clear Acrylic Sealant and allow for both to adhere over night. Upon both mounts being properly secured, use Clear Acrylic Sealant to secure both mounts to the main housing.

Located in the inner side, at the bottom of the housing is a slit that run along the entirety of all 4 walls that will act as a guide for where to place the copper sheet. Begin by lowering the copper sheet into its location and then use Clear Acrylic Sealant to secure the copper sheet and prevent water from flowing downwards into the peltier chips.

After 3D printing, connect the components that make up the kegs and fan cover illustrated in step 7. Secure the legs and fan cover to the housing using chalk, allowing moderate pressure to ensure proper adhesion.

To secure the motor mount, two holes must be drill in to create a space for the fasten mechanism. The mechanism fastening the mount to the housing is two flat head screws. For the dowel, it is then secured to the mount using chalk, as well as chalk to the motor drive and the hole the dowel connects to the motor.

Using gorilla glue to attach the Housing roof, depicted in gray, to the green housing. Unfortunately, original photos of the roof were not taken but the image above depicts how the roof should be attached to the housing.

Begin by orienting the pump in the correct direction and attach a short length of tubing that will extend into the housing as pictured in the first image above, once in the correct direction use silicon to attach and seal the pump to the appropriate hole. Once the pump has been properly attached, connect the appropriate size tubing to the pump and secure it into the roof of the housing as depicted above.

As depicted in the image above and in the image in step 14, use a hinge to secure the lid to the housing roof, while attaching an appropriate means of opening and closing the lid.

Due to imperfections between the layers and the PLA itself, the housing must be treated with a waterproofing material. The choice for waterproofing in this instance is silicon, which must be placed in on all surfaces in contact with water.