Self contained thermally controlled beverage container

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10011705

This Capstone Design Project is to develop a Self Contained Thermally Controlled Beverage Container. The product will be a portable cup capable of heating a beverage from an initial temperature to a maximum temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit. The project goal is to create a product which will appeal to people who do not have the time or convenience to heat a beverage in a microwave or on a stove. The target cost of the product is $15-20. A butane gas mixture has been identified as our energy source due to its wide availability and low cost. Product creation will involve determining and analyzing the rate of heat transfer from the thermal reservoir to the beverage volume and performing a transient analysis on the beverage volume and exhaust gases. These analyses will aid in designing a burner for the beverage container. Other topics to be considered include optimal container geometry with respect to thermal conductivity, material selection, and burner control. The safety factors related to the product and its contents are of high importance due to the hazards associated with enclosed flammable gasses and are currently being considered by the authorities at Underwriters Laboratories. Conclusions from all research have yielded an intermediate design concept consisting of 20-24 oz fluid container, which can be heated to 175 degrees Fahrenheit using a Nozzle-Mix burner assembly.