PROBLEM STATEMENT
The goal of this project is to create a system that will heat a small, enclosed space, such as the inside of a sleeping bag or coat, by burning candles. The two aspects of this design that differentiate it from existing heating systems are: its compactness and its ability to completely eliminate the toxic combustion products of the burning fuel such as propane or gas. The heater will be sufficiently small and light so as to allow the system, which includes the heater and fuel source, to be carried in a camping sized backpack.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Needs Analysis
Every year it is estimated by the Consumer Product Safety Council* that there are around 30 deaths and nearly 450 injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of improperly vented camping equipment, such as heaters and stoves. These injuries occur often enough that some people are fearful of using these devices or end up exposing themselves to unhealthy levels of Carbon Monoxide.
Heaters are an important piece of outdoor equipment. They can be used to provide a little extra comfort when needed, or for emergency survival equipment when extreme temperatures are a factor. The fundamental problem associated with a conventional heater is the mixing of combustion fumes with the intended warming air; it is dirty and dangerous.
Design Goal
Why do people get cold? People experience the discomfort and sometimes dangerous phenomenon of feeling cold because of the substantial temperature difference between their skin and the next closest layer of air. They feel cold because they don’t have enough insulation to keep that layer of air at a constant temperature. The result is that the body is forced to give up more warmth to the air than the body can internally generate. The goal of this project is to develop a portable, lightweight heat exchanger that is able to replace the cold air in a small, insulated environment, with a blanket of clean, warm air. There is no resulting fumes of the combustion process that will need to be separated and eventually be vented from this system. This heater will be quite fuel efficient as it is intended to heat a relatively small volume of insulating air rather than the entire environment surrounding that individual. The applications of this device could include heating sleeping bags, coats, emergency preparedness, and/or hypothermia prevention.
Intellectual Merit
This project is perfect for senior design and incorporates all the critical elements of the engineering process. This project is sized appropriately such that by May of 2006, a finished product available for use or sale. Application of numerous technical subjects will be required in the development of this product. Heat transfer analysis, thermodynamics, fluids and material science are the core elements of this design. This design will not be successful or marketable without paying considerable attention to maximizing the safety and efficiency of the design. This project entails communication with companies to raise funding and the possible sale of rights of the product. This is a new idea that requires everything from concept generation to patent research and marketing. This is the essence of research and development, and no other project could offer better preparation for the industry.
- Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC Document #5008 http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5008.html
Team Members
