Chapter 1

Introduction
About the Study
Air conditioning (often referred to as A/C or AC) is the process of altering
the properties of air (primarily temperature and humidity) to move
comfortable conditions, typically with the aim of distributing the conditioned
air to an occupied space such as a building or a vehicle to improve thermal
comfort and indoor air quality. In common use, an air conditioner is a device
that lowers the air temperature. The cooling is typically achieved through a
refrigeration cycle, but sometimes evaporation or free cooling is used. Air
conditioning systems can also be made based on dessicants.
In the most general sense, air conditioning can refer to any form of
technology that modifies the condition of air (heating, cooling,
{de-}humidification, cleaning, ventilation, or air movement).
HOW AIR CONDITIONER WORKS
The majority of home and smaller commercial air conditioning systems
circulate a compressed gas refrigerant in a closed split system to cool and
condition inside air. The refrigerant has to be re-cooled and condensed, and
outside air is the medium most often used to accomplish this. The term
split simply means that components are divided into inside and outside
portions as opposed to being located together in a package unit.
The refrigerants, widely recognized by the trademark freon (which is a
registered trademark of the DuPont company for refrigerants), helps cool and
dehumidify the inside air. In a forced air system, an internal blower
circulates the conditioned air through ducts to the rooms where the cooler air
is needed. The air ducts generally run either below the ceiling and inside the
rooms (conditioned air) or in the attic (unconditioned air). An outside fan
pulls air across the external parts of the system to cool and condense the
refrigerant.
THE MAJOR PARTS AND FUNCTIONS IN A SPLIT AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Compressor (outdoors) = the electric pump, or heart of the system,
that circulates the refrigerant in a closed loop between the condenser
and evaporator coils.

 Condenser coil (outdoors) = a network of tubes filled with refrigerant

that remove heat from the heated gas refrigerant and convert the
refrigerant into a liquid form again. The excess heat escapes into the
outside air.
Fan (outdoors) = pulls air through the condenser coil for heat
dispersal.
Evaporator coil (indoors) = a network of tubes filled with refrigerant
that remove heat and moisture from the air as the refrigerant
evaporates into a gas again.
Air handling unit (indoors) = the blower and related portion of the
central air conditioning system that moves air through the air ducts.
Air filters (indoors) = air filter elements trap dust, pollen, and other
airborne particles as air moves through the air conditioning system.

Statement of the Problem

Is it possible to make a portable air conditioner that is cheap and can

cool-off your surrounding atmosphere?
What are the respondent ratings in terms of:
Distance the cold air can travel
Cooling Potential
Power

Null Hypothesis
It is not possible to make a portable air conditioner that is cheap and
can cool-off your surrounding atmosphere.

Significance of the Study

Heat is always been a problem in every country such as Philippines. Doing
work in a hot summer day can be tiring and are prone to make silly and
unwanted mistakes. A proper air conditioner would be good item to have
during these times. When doing work or event, the place could become
stuffy and uncomfortable for people. However, air conditioners are mostly
marketed as fix and hard to change places portable air conditioners are
dime a dozen but somehow are very expensive to have. That being the case,
as researchers of this project, we aim to make a portable air conditioner that

is affordable and reliably cool small confined for a limited amount of time
and space.

Scope and Limitation

After a discussion about this project, I have set up a few limitations that
must be attention for this project. The air conditioner should place near and
direct to people in order to get full function of the air conditioner. And user
needs provide power supply to plug-in the electricity to the air conditioner.

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

Short History of Refrigerant-Cycle Air Conditioners
Remarkably, one of our founding fathers, Ben Franklin, had a hand in the
underlying science of air conditioning. In 1758, Ben Franklin and a colleague
in England, chemist John Hadley, conducted an experiment on the cooling
properties of evaporation. By using a bellows to evaporate highly volatile
liquids like alcohol or ether, they were able to drop the temperature to 7
degrees Fahrenheit, building up a thick layer of ice on their mercury
thermometer-while the ambient temperature was 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
(SOURCE: Energy Solution, 2012)
In 1820, another of historys greatest scientists, the British inventor
Michael Faraday, showed that by mechanically compressing ammonia to
liquefy (condense) it and then allowing the ammonia to expand and
evaporate, he could cool air. And in 1842, a Florida physician, John Gorrie,
wanting to keep patients cool, was able to use this principal to make ice in
an Apalachicola hospital. Gorrie patented his system in 1851 and hoped to
commercialize it to cool buildings, but his financial backer died and with it,
Gorries path to success. Air conditioning would not reappear for 50 years.
(SOURCE: Energy Solution, 2012)
In 1902, Willis Carrier of Syracuse, New York perfected a system for
dehumidifying a commercial printing plant. The goal was to stabilize the
paper, but the invention also kept the plants temperature more comfortable
and the workers more productive. He formed The Carrier Air Conditioning
Company of America to produce these systems, eventually extending
beyond commercial buildings to homes. With 32,000 employees in 170
countries, Carrier Corporation (now a subsidiary of United Technologies
Corporation) is today the world leader in high-technology heating, air
conditioning, and refrigeration systems. (SOURCE: Energy Solution, 2012)

TYPE OF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

There are several types of air conditioning systems that are commonly
used to build-up an air conditioner which are:
1) Central Air conditioning Systems
Use these systems for applications where several spaces with uniform
loads will be served by a single apparatus and where precision control of the
environment is required. Cooling coils can be direct expansion or chilled
water. Select air cooled or evaporative condensers, cooling towers, and
ground-loop systems based on life cycle economics considering operating
efficiencies and maintenance costs associated with outdoor design
conditions and environment, e.g., high ambient temperatures and dusty
conditions could adversely impact the operation of air cooled condensers.
Consider temperature rise of chilled water coils, especially for applications
requiring precision humidity control.
2) Unitary Air Conditioning Systems
These systems should generally be limited to loads less than 100 tons.
Unitary systems are packaged in self-contained or split configurations. Selfcontained units incorporate components for cooling or cooling and heating in
one apparatus. Thermostatic expansion valves are preferred over capillary
tubes and orifices for refrigerant control when available as a manufacturers
option since expansion valves provide better superheat control over a wide
range of operating conditions. Split Systems may include the following
configurations:
a) Direct expansion coil and supply fan combined with a remote
compressor and condensing coil; or
b) Direct expansion coil, supply fan, and a compressor combine with a
remote condenser, cooling tower, or ground-loop system.

3) Room Air Conditioning Units

These units are self-contained units serving only one space. These units
are typically referred to as window or through-the-wall type air conditioners.

Rooms served by these units should have a separate HVAC unit to provide
ventilation air for a group of rooms.

4) Built-up Systems
These systems consist of individual components assembled at the
building site. Generally, use them when a large volume of air is handled.
These systems may be used as remote air handling systems with a central
cooling plant unitary air handling units. Determine the number of air
handling units by an economic division of the load, considering: (a) the value
of space occupied by the equipment; (b) the extent of ductwork and piping;
(c) the multiplicity of control, maintenance, and operating points; (d) energy
conservation factors.
5) Split System Air Conditioners
The more common of the two types of central air conditioners, split
system air conditioners have the compressor or condenser housed in a unit
outdoors and the evaporator indoors. The primary benefit of split system air
conditioners is that they keep the noisy part outside. Split air conditioners
connect into your existing ductwork, cooling your home evenly and quietly.

Chapter 3

Methodology
Materials:

Styrofoam Container
CPU Fan
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipe
Charger
Glue Gun (w/ Glue Stick)
Electrical Tape
Slide Cutter
Marker Pen

Procedure:
Phase 1: Connect the red wire (Positive) of the CPU fan inside the connector
jack of the charger
and connect the black wire (Negative) to the outer
connector jack conductor surrounding it.
Phase 2: If the fan spins with the charger, you can now wrap the wires with
an electrical tape.
(Note: the fan and the charger must have same power voltage so that this
experiment might work. If not, theres a tendency that the fan might
explode.)
Phase 3: Now attach the CPU fan to the upper part of the Styrofoam
container and draw a line with a marker pen around the CPU fan. Then cut
the trace with a side cutter.
Phase 4: Then put tightly the CPU fan to the cut part of the Styrofoam
container to merge it.
Phase 5: After the CPU fan has been merged with the upper part of the
Styrofoam container, now attach the PVC pipe to the side of the Styrofoam
container. Again, draw a line around it and cut it with the side cutter.
Phase 6: Use a glue gun so that the PVC pipe will stick in the Styrofoam
container.

Phase 7: After everythings been assembled, you can now put a cold water
or ice inside the Styrofoam container and sprinkle it with salt then let the
CPU fan spin inside. Enjoy the DIY Air Conditioner unit as it cools-off your
surrounding area.

Chapter 4

Data & Results, Discussions, and Conclusion

Data & Results

Distance (feet)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Cooling Potential:

Power:

Temperature (Degree
Celcius) in Computer Lab
25
25
27
27
28
29
30
In terms of cooling
potential, the DIY AC unit is
only advisable to a
compressed room with a
little amount of space so
that it could cool-off your
surrounding atmosphere to
its fullest capabilities.
To find the power of the DIY
AC unit, we must consider
the ff:

P=VxI
P = Power;
watts
P = 12V x 3A
V=
Voltage; volts (DC)
P = 36 watts
I=
Current; Ampere

-Therefore, the power output of the

DIY AC is 36 watts.

Discussion (group)
There 2 more students with same that are doing research on the same type
of project which is air conditioner but 2 of them are doing in different part.
So, we are also gathered together to discuss about this project. By discussing
among the group, we help each other to solve problem. By doing group
discussion we manage to came out with a few solution of the problem
statement. These are the discussion that we were discussed:
Project Topic: To complete the requirement of this year project, I
need to choose three topic to be our own project and we have come
out with few topics which need further discussion to select which topic
are the suitable. The 3 topics are DIY AC study, refrigerant study and I
have finally decided to choose what type of portable air conditioner as
the topic of my year project. We have concluded that they will do their
test also in my project. This is because the DIY of portable air
conditioner has full fill all the final year project requirement that are
application, realistic, modification and innovation.
Internet: By using the internet, we managed to get useful
information about components to construct the portable air conditioner
that we can choose which the suitable components can be equipped to
the portable air conditioner. From the internet I have found the ideal
prototype that people can use especially for Filipinos.

Conclusion
As a conclusion, we can conclude that a cheap portable air conditioner is
achievable and can be marketable in reality. The portable air conditioner

made satisfies the basic air conditioner functions for cooling purpose. The air
conditioner has been tested to its functions and reliability of its design.
Human factor taught us that human may feel comfortable because of
several factors. One of the factors is the temperature, as we all noticed that
some of the country especially country with equatorial climate such as SE
Asia have hot temperature climate. Because of that, air conditioner becomes
one of the important thing that help people to feel comfortable with reducing
temperature in their surroundings. We can conclude that this smart portable
air is marketable.
With the Styrofoam container as its decoration design that is frequently
been used in Philippines during events. Because it is common especially to
vendors selling. But then, most events such as on outside has very limited
space to place air conditioner (because it is usually crowded with people and
vendors alike). That being the case, this smart portable air conditioner is
made possible to reduce space for air conditioner with placing it in which is
near to the user.
The smart portable air condtioner is also proved that it makes the lives of
people easier because of its portability and simple assembling system. It
could make user faster to move and setup the air conditioner.

Do-It-Yourself Portable Air Conditioner

INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
Submitted By: Janmielou Ian L.
Villavicencio
Abdul Rakim
N. Limbona
Jan Bret S.
Racaza

Submitted To: T. Arlyn R.

Tibudan

Definition of Terms
1. Airborne - transported by air.
2. Apalachicola - is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98
about 80 miles (130 km) southwest of Tallahassee. The
population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. Apalachicola is
the county seat of Franklin County.
3. Apparatus - the technical equipment or machinery needed
for a particular activity or purpose.
4. Bellows - a device with an air bag that emits a stream of air
when squeezed together with two handles, used for blowing
air into a fire.
5. Colleague - a person with whom one works, especially in a
profession or business.
6. Commercialize - manage or exploit (an organization,
activity, etc.) in a way designed to make a profit.
7. Confined - (of a space) restricted in area or volume;
cramped.
8. Dehumidify - remove moisture from (the air or a gas).
9. Dessicant - a hygroscopic substance used as a drying
agent.
10.
Dime a dozen - something that is very common;
almost worthless.
11.
Duct - a channel or tube for conveying something, in
particular.
12.
Ductwork - a system or network of ducts.
13.
Moisture - water or other liquid diffused in a small
quantity as vapor, within a solid, or condensed on a surface.
14.
Orifice - an opening, as of pipe or tube, or one in the
body, such as a nostril or anus.
15.
Stabilize - make or become unlikely to give away or
overturn.

16.
Subsidiary - a company controlled by a holding
company.
17.
Thermostatic - having or maintaining a consistent
temperature.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Name: Janmielou Ian L. Villavicencio
Age: 15 years old
Belief: Christianity
Born: August 10, 2000
Educational background:

Elementary: MARY-INFANT JESUS SCHOOL

High School: CORPUS CHRISTI PAROCHIAL SCHOOL OF ILIGAN

"If I dont have to do it, I wont. If do I have to do

it, make it quick."
Name: Jan Bret S. Racaza
Age: 15 years old
Belief: Christianity
Born: January 2, 2000
Educational background:

Elementary: ST. THERESE ACADEMY

High School: CORPUS CHRISTI PAROCHIAL SCHOOL OF ILIGAN

When the time the world will fall, you wont still
fall for me.

Name: Abdul Rakim N. Limbona

Age: 15 years old
Belief: Islam
Born: August 28, 2001
Educational Background:

Elementary: ILIGAN CITY CENTRAL SCHOOL

High School: CORPUS CHRISTI PAROCHIAL SCHOOL OF ILIGAN

Allah knows what is the best for you and

when its best for you to have it.

Acknowledgement
First of all, the researchers would like to
thank for T. Arlyn R. Tibudan for providing this
project, let alone giving us supervision in the
said project.
Secondly, as researchers, we greatly
appreciate the great help of the Internet by
supplying us the information collected and
research to be done.
And lastly, to the supporting efforts of our
parents by giving us the expenses we needed
to comply with the final project.