Thermogenn Cooler (EvaKuula)

Market Suggested Retail Price

$800.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Thermogenn and The University of Georgia Research Foundation

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is currently in the prototyping phase and not yet manufactured at scale.

Intellectural Property Type

Other

User Provision Model

Directly from designer. Prototype product

Distributions to Date Status

As of March 2018, 43 units have been deployed in Uganda.

Design Specifications

The EvaKuula kit contains two main components: a thermization unit and an evaporative cooling unit. The evaporative cooling unit is composed of up to four milk canisters placed inside a chamber with water and an external wind-powered mechanical air extraction fan. Each milk canister can hold 20 L of milk. The walls of the chamber are lined with an insulating material such as charcoal. A biogas or propane energy source can be used to speed up cooling time.

Technical Support

None

Replacement Components

No

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers aim for their product to cool milk to 4-6°C within 3-4 hours and to stay cool for 12 hours.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

Biogas is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, which pose safety concerns if inhaled. Other safety concerns include explosion, asphyxiation, disease, and hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

Complementary Technical Systems

The designer recommends connected the device to a biogas generator to speed up cooling times.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The EvaKuula met national safety standards and was approved for commercialization by the Uganda Dairy Development Authority. ^{Interview with representative}

Other Information

The EvaKuula received the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 2019 AE50 Award. This product was designed at the University of Georgia in the ENGR 4920: Engineering design project (international section, with service-learning component) course taught by William Kisaalita.