Theme – Sustainable Waste Management: E-Waste
Recycling
Problem Statement
Energy Generation from Exhaust Fans and Air Conditioner
Outdoor Units.
Idea
Electronic waste is a large issue in modern society. In this
project, a CPU cooling fan from scrap computers is
modified as a wind turbine which generates electricity
from exhaust fans and air conditioner outdoor units.
News Survey
Air conditioners are responsible for releasing 1,950 million
tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually,
which is 3.94% of the world's greenhouse gas
emissions. This is due to the energy used to control the
temperature, remove humidity, and the leakage of
refrigerants.
However, every dark cloud has a silver lining.
The recommended range of mean supply air velocities in
industrial applications is typically 0.2–0.45 m s −1.
The typical target air flow rate for an AC is approximately
350–450 cubic feet per minute per ton of cooling capacity.
We direct this air into a fan, as shown below.
About Model
A nozzle is fit in front of exhaust units which directs the
airflow towards the CPU cooling fan.
The in-built motor with the CPU fan is modified suitably to
act as a generator.
The generated electricity can be used to light a small LED
bulb, or store energy in a rechargeable battery.
Key Features
The convergent nozzle used in the model increases the
velocity of air elevating the efficiency and improving the
performance of the generator.
The power is generated from otherwise wasted energy.
E-waste is efficiently reused to generate electricity.
Science & Technology Used
Wind turbine is the technology used in the model,
estimated by Bernoulli’s principle.
The electricity generated by the fan is in AC, whereas the
electricity needed by bulb/charger is DC.
Diodes, capacitors and voltage regulators are used.
Working Principle
Bernoulli’s principle can be used to find the velocity of the
airflow at the generator.
Full wave rectifier circuits are created with 4 diodes to
change the negative alternans to positive.
Filter circuits are created with a capacitor to smoothen out
the rectified positive pulses/alternans to an extent.
Regulation circuit is created with a regulator to completely
smoothen out the positive pulses.
Applications
This model can be attached to air conditioner outdoor
units and exhaust fans.
It can be used to power bulbs and recharge everyday
items such as batteries and mobile phones.
Pros/Cons
Pros:
Cost efficient
Power generated from waste product
Cons:
Low voltage output
Intermittent use
Target Users
Individual households
Factories
Business Pitch
As of 2022, India currently has 25.6 million households
with air conditioners and well-fit exhaust fans.
Assuming our model makes 5 rupees of profit per project,
and that we reach 10% of the households, we would earn
Rs. 128 million.
We could also sell this product to AC companies.
SDGs
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 10 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Future Scope
This product can be further perfected in factories, where
the rate of airflow is much higher, and the airflow can be
directed towards only a blade, which will lead to a much
more efficient wind turbine system.
Industrial Making
The making of this model is oddly very straightforward, as
it only involves a CPU cooling fan (which can be further
perfected in industrialization), and basic electric circuit
components.
Estimated Cost of manufacturing is 300 rupees.