Air cooled chiller - aka the fevered dream of a mad man. - Overclock.net

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

As a few of you will have seen ive got some ambitious plans to with making a water chiller with air cooled peltier elements. I intend to try something I dont think anyone expects to work but im looking at it as a kind of experiment before I use the bits to make a more conventional water cooled chiller.

Ive been knocking ideas around my head but I decided I'll never make progress without getting something down on paper. Then I thought, sketchup is better than paper, which led me to what follows.

This is the first time I've properly used sketchup so theres a lot wrong with it, but thats not the point, ill slowly get the hang of it and correct them. This is roughly what I have in my head and I intend for it to evolve until a state where im ready to build it or have decided against it (it will probably not look anything like this in the end).

The sketchup design with a PA120.2 for size reference.

In terms of details, it comprises of 10 peltier elements rated at 89w max cooling power consuming 137w power.

I intend to run them at no more than a third of their maximum voltage to greately increase efficiency. Im not after hugely low temperatures, what I ideally want is for the water to be held a few degrees below ambient (around dew point).

The cooling is done by 10 very basic aluminium cpu heatsinks which, with enough airflow should have a thermal resistance of around 0.4 c/w. The fans in the picture are 14cm for maximum airflow with low noise levels (they are sucking air through and not blowing. A shroud, of undecided depth, gives more even airflow and lower noise).

The blue stuff you see if plastic. In the water channel there is copper used to increase surface area of the peltiers in the water and allow clamping of the peltiers (I've not really worked this bit out yet, the original plan of having the peltiers directly contact the water seems simpler to implement but im not sure about the performance).

That wasnt very well explained but I have pages of notes, maths and sketches to try and summarise. Easiest way is to just ask questions and give me lots of suggestions.

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

A couple of pictures.

Note obvious areas where I havent come up with a good solution like the curved plastic to bring the water 180 degrees, I cant easily do that so ill have to come up with another way.

DuckieHo · 12-08-07

Why not do a double side TEC layout? It would reduce space. Have TECs line both sides and HSF cooling both sides?

ChielScape · 12-08-07

take a look in my gallery for a design i made. link in sig.

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

Interesting ideas, ill think them over.

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

Right, DuckieHo, I'm not sure how with my arrangement I could save much space that way. If I was going for a setup with more coolers and peltiers (a possibility if I can get the concept working) I could see it being a good idea. Quick and dirty example:

CL3P20 · 12-08-07

theres the answer to your 'clamping' issue.

..I want one when you finish figuring this out.

DuckieHo · 12-08-07

I would start checking eBay for some wholesale heatsinks... you might be able to snag a deal. Once you get them, then you would have a better idea of the final design specs.

The curve end piece doesn't have to be curved. Radiators don't do that. It is just an open area and the water flow keeps it moving.

Looking good!

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

Exactly, I could have an open area or use some spare hose or any numbe rof things, its a minor issue.

I actually have the heatsinks already, they are very basic and similar to the ones in the designs I showed you. They arent perfect, but the best I could find for the price.

Cant be bothered to get my camera out but this is close enough:

Scarlet Infidel · 12-08-07

Just to emphasise, keeping costs down is a major concern. So far I have spent:

10 x aluminium heatsinks (new, boxed, with fans and mounting stuff) - £19.99 including postage.

10 x 136.8w peltier elements (from china) - about £17.50 including postage.

My hope is to try and keep costs and size not unreasonably far off a PA120.2 (£55 with cheap postage not including barbs, shrouds or fans).

12-08-07	#1 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Air cooled chiller - the fevered dream of a mad man. As a few of you will have seen ive got some ambitious plans to with making a water chiller with air cooled peltier elements. I intend to try something I dont think anyone expects to work but im looking at it as a kind of experiment before I use the bits to make a more conventional water cooled chiller. Ive been knocking ideas around my head but I decided I'll never make progress without getting something down on paper. Then I thought, sketchup is better than paper, which led me to what follows. This is the first time I've properly used sketchup so theres a lot wrong with it, but thats not the point, ill slowly get the hang of it and correct them. This is roughly what I have in my head and I intend for it to evolve until a state where im ready to build it or have decided against it (it will probably not look anything like this in the end). The sketchup design with a PA120.2 for size reference. In terms of details, it comprises of 10 peltier elements rated at 89w max cooling power consuming 137w power. I intend to run them at no more than a third of their maximum voltage to greately increase efficiency. Im not after hugely low temperatures, what I ideally want is for the water to be held a few degrees below ambient (around dew point). The cooling is done by 10 very basic aluminium cpu heatsinks which, with enough airflow should have a thermal resistance of around 0.4 c/w. The fans in the picture are 14cm for maximum airflow with low noise levels (they are sucking air through and not blowing. A shroud, of undecided depth, gives more even airflow and lower noise). The blue stuff you see if plastic. In the water channel there is copper used to increase surface area of the peltiers in the water and allow clamping of the peltiers (I've not really worked this bit out yet, the original plan of having the peltiers directly contact the water seems simpler to implement but im not sure about the performance). That wasnt very well explained but I have pages of notes, maths and sketches to try and summarise. Easiest way is to just ask questions and give me lots of suggestions. Last edited by Scarlet Infidel : 03-22-08 at 07:21 PM.

12-08-07	#10 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Just to emphasise, keeping costs down is a major concern. So far I have spent: 10 x aluminium heatsinks (new, boxed, with fans and mounting stuff) - £19.99 including postage. 10 x 136.8w peltier elements (from china) - about £17.50 including postage. My hope is to try and keep costs and size not unreasonably far off a PA120.2 (£55 with cheap postage not including barbs, shrouds or fans). Last edited by Scarlet Infidel : 12-08-07 at 07:12 PM.

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Air cooled chiller - aka the fevered dream of a mad man.

12-08-07	#2 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	A couple of pictures. Note obvious areas where I havent come up with a good solution like the curved plastic to bring the water 180 degrees, I cant easily do that so ill have to come up with another way.

12-08-07	#5 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Interesting ideas, ill think them over.

12-08-07	#6 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Right, DuckieHo, I'm not sure how with my arrangement I could save much space that way. If I was going for a setup with more coolers and peltiers (a possibility if I can get the concept working) I could see it being a good idea. Quick and dirty example:

12-08-07	#9 (permalink)
Scarlet Infidel New to Overclock.net Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 148 Rep: 4 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Exactly, I could have an open area or use some spare hose or any numbe rof things, its a minor issue. I actually have the heatsinks already, they are very basic and similar to the ones in the designs I showed you. They arent perfect, but the best I could find for the price. Cant be bothered to get my camera out but this is close enough:

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