the next iteration of green refrigeration
Calvin Tabor Scott Dailey Elizabeth Palmer Ryan Peters Malavika Kesavan
Overview $ Overview Project Goal: To create a sustainable refrigerator design that can be introduced into international and domestic markets. Two-Pronged Approach: Cellulose Design
Insulation Research and Testing Material Innovation: Insulation Cellulose Sponge
Overview $ Design Innovation: Modularity and Convenience
Overview $ Review: Market Need -Refrigerators are the second-largest user of electricity in the average US home (13.7%) -Cost: $51.80 -$97.84 / year -2.3 lb CO2 / kwh of electricity -152 million refrigerators in the US -114 million tons CO2 emitted per year (in the US alone!)
Overview $ Market Wants Public Opinion -91% think important to protect the environment from the effects of energy development and use -94% think important to keep energy prices low -65% of US consumers willing to pay more for products made with renewable resources Willing to pay on average 8.3% more for renewable -Survey: How do you use your refrigerator? ~10% of door openings wasted on browsing
Insulation Research and Testing The Green Movement GE Manufacturing Manager Top three demands: -Refrigerator space - Greener energy efficiency -Affordability Armstrong Materials Scientists Life cycle (not just manufacturing) of the product Questionable definition of green Toxicity and material disposal
Insulation Research and Testing Cellulose Cellulose composition -recycled papers, wood pulp and other similar materials R > 3.7 (m^2*k/w*in) -increased air content of cellulose derivative Typical insulation failures -Loss of Structure -Water Leakage
Design Development and Refinement
Design Development and Refinement Stacking modular units Side venting Units plug into each other when stacked and share a common power source Can be arranged horizontally and used as a freezer Illumination in door handle changes color depending on energy consumption. Also helps groggy midnight Stacking modular units Isolating unused space Stacking modular units Scenario: room and adds another unit plus a freezer when he or she moves into an apartment Closed Interior shelves contain a sliding inner piece that opens or closes each shelf. Perforations hide heat diffusing coils that have been relocated to the top for better ventilation. Recesses behind door create a hanlde, leaving the front uncluttered Open
Design Development and Refinement Final Direction Material Choices and Packaging Stacking - Compressor sits up top to cool rising warmer air - Vacuum formed interior plastic shell - Wood exterior signifies eco-friendliness to the consumer and helps differentiate the product from competitors - Pieces nest with one ano Front Side Rear 28
Design Development and Refinement Stacking - Pieces nest with one another One Power Source - Units plug into one another, and bottom unit plugs into wall - Only uses one electrical outlet Handle Light - Helps late-night snackers through the d
Design Development and Refinement Handle Light - Helps late-night snackers find their way through the darkness to their food Shelves - Easily close off unused space to save energy
Design Development and Refinement
Design Development and Refinement
Design Development and Refinement
Design Development and Refinement Partitioning shelves allow users to shut off unused space in their refrigerator.
Design Development and Refinement Glass door acts as a quick and easy way to browse without letting cold air out.
Design Development and Refinement Compact, modular design appeals to both domestic and international markets.
Design Development and Refinement Each unit plugs into the one below it, saving outlets to be used for other things.
Design Development and Refinement Units stack and lock into place for stability
Design Development and Refinement Drawer in freezer compartment holds cold air when open, rather than letting it fall out.
Design Development and Refinement Cellulose insulation lowers carbon footprint and is vacuum sealed to prevent insulation degradation
Design Development and Refinement Modular shell allows for easy adaptation to changing market tastes
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Manufacturing Only one major deviation from the typical manufacturing process: Vacuum sealing of insulation into sides of the walls -Protection against moisture -Singular component eliminates need to insert insulation after the refrigerator has already been assembled
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Market Analysis US Sales and Revenue 12 million refrigerators sold in US per year Average of 3% yearly growth in the established market Goal: 5% US market penetration in year 2020 Year 2020 (US): 800,000 sales / yr * $300/unit = $240m / yr in revenue
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Market Analysis International Sales and Revenue 90 million refrigerators sold worldwide per year Asia accounts for approximately 31.5 million of those sales Worldwide growth: 3% annually Asian growth: 5% annually Goal: 10% Asian market penetration in year 2020 Year 2020 (Asia): 5m sales / yr * $300/unit = $1.5b / yr in revenue
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Market Analysis Profitability -Material and labor costs similar to existing refrigerator designs -Changes in cost due to insulation -Worst case scenario: approximately 35% more insulation to achieve same thermal properties Expanded polystyrene: $42.78 / ft3 Cellulose sponge: $46.89 / ft3 2008 survey: Respondents willing to spend on average 8.3% more for a product that uses renewable resources
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Market Analysis Profitability -Average price of refrigerator: $700 to low $800 s Typical profit margin on just fridge component: ~15% Very profitable approach regardless of increased costs that are not passed onto the consumer for sake of competitiveness in the market
$ Marketability and Cost Projection Future Directions Cool chips -Remove harmful refrigerant and save costs Developing a working model -Talking to a prototyping expert and looking at the standardization of some of the materials -Visiting a refrigerator manufacturing plant
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