HYDROBREEZE
EVAPORATIVE COOLER


DESIGN INNOVATION IN PLASTICS BRIEF

Design a product, made primarily from plastics, for use in an off-grid scenario through the use of alternative or manual power.

CONCEPT
An experimental approach was taken to the brief, exploring the properties of evaporative cooling in the more humid environment of Scotland.

Designed to be used on longer remote expeditions where cool and clean water may not be readily available, the bottle both filters and chills water on the go. It uses a layer of PVA foam that is soaked when filling, allowing evaporative cooling properties to remove heat from the contents as it dries.

RESEARCH
A wide range of alternative power sources were explored in the off-grid context, taking inspiration from methods of the past that could be suited to modern applications. Cooling, particularly evaporative cooling, presented itself as a unique direction but required feasability testing in a more humid environment.




PROOF OF CONCEPT
Traditional sand coolers were tested with simulated winds, proving the cooling cabilities despite humid and colder conditions. A range of modern polymer foams were also tested for their absorption and cooling properties. PVA foam stood out as being able to cool liquids by around 5-10 ℃.




IDEATION
Quick sketches were made for potential concepts that could be feasible based on these findings. These included cooling less critical things such as water, using the effects as a lightweight insulation or combining with alternative power.




COMPROMISE
A cooling bottle was chosen as the most realistic concept, as the outdoor context with a breeze provided ideal conditions to maximise the cooling properties. Both the function and form of the bottle were explored further through sketching. 




PROTOTYPING

Digital prototypes were created to calculate the largest surface area for the PVA foam, to maximise the cooling properties. Physical prototypes were then used to test ergonomics and ensure enough airflow would get around the bottle when hanging from a bag.




FINAL CONCEPT

A flexible PVC layer ensures airflow around the inner PVA foam. These layers can be easily disassembled for maintenance and cleaning. The added strap allows the bottle to hang from a bag pack for maximum air flow, with the PVA removing heat as it dries. The PVA layer is soaked when filling, and a replacable carbon block filter filters as you drink. This allows users to fill the bottle from rivers and streams on the go, giving access to cooled drinking water even on remote expeditions.