ISHRAE sponsored a Student Project to design a split water cooler. The evaporator coil is in the drinking water tank for providing cool drinking water. The condenser coil is in a separate, blue colored tank as shown in the photo, to provide hot water. No external heater is used; both hot and cold water are part of the refrigeration cycle. The project team comprised 4th year mechanical engineering students of Sreyas Institute of Engineering & Technology: K. Saikiran, Akhil Kumar and Shakeel ur- Rehaman, under the guidance of Dr. Suresh Akella and K. Sainath. This design can be applied to process industries where both heating and cooling sections are provided. It is also useful in canteens and residences, where cold water can be used for drinking and hot water for cleaning dishes. The present limitation of hot water temperature is that it is lower than the condensing temperature. A thermostatic control mechanism with auxiliary tanks can be designed to increase the hot water temperature beyond the condensing temperature.

For assistance in usage of this model, please contact Dr.Suresh Akella at Directorrd@sreyas.ac.in, 09849628282, or write to Director R&D, Sreyas Institute Of Engineering & Technology, Bandlaguda, Nagole, Hyderabad 500068.