Mysuru: A Group of Final Year Electrical and Electronics Engineering students — Danish Junaidi, Syed Hasan, B. Satish  and V. Preetham — from Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE), Mysuru, have developed an “Eco-friendly Refrigerator Using Peltier Technology” model which was found to be adequate to improve efficiency of low efficient TECs (Thermo-Electric Cooler) and also save power. They were guided by Dr. Shoba Shankar, Head, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, VVCE.

The project implements the unique way of refrigerator using Peltier module. The refrigerator model has an interior cooling volume of 30*30*30 cubic centimetre, it can hold 27 litres. The refrigerator was able to reach an internal temperature of 6 degree Celsius. Its temperature is controlled using Temperature Duty cycle technique. The Peltier module is the main source for production of cold temperature.

The model consists of solar panel which serves as a backup power in case the main supply to the refrigerator fails. The model is also linked with Arduino UNO for monitoring refrigerator’s temperature. The inner most part of the model consists of aluminium metal sheet placed on cold side of the Peltier.

The model records temperature in refrigerator using DHT11 temperature sensors. Aluminium blocks are used to remove heat from the heated portion of Peltier, by circulating water through it. By using this water cooling technique much lower temperature can be obtained. The relays are used to control inner temperature of the model.

Presently available refriger-ators in the market uses chemicals as refrigerant which is harmful to ozone layer.

The Government of India in association with Rocky Mountain Institute, USA, had called for Global Cooling Challenge which supports eco-friendly techniques in cooling. Since the system uses water as refrigerant, this is an eco-friendly refrigerator. The cost of the refrigerator is Rs.12,000 but when it is manufactured in bulk, the cost gets reduced.