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PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP A THERMOELECTRIC

CAMP STOVE

Madison Walenta

Project Sponsor:
FRHS STEM Academy

August 15, 2017

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Table of Contents

Executive summary……………………………………………………………………………..3
Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………………….3
Technical Approach……………………………………………………………………………..4
Project Management…………………………………………………………………………….5
Deliverables……………………………………………………………………………………...6
Budget…………………………………………………………………………………………….7
Team Qualifications……………………………………………………………………………..8
References………………………………………………………………………………………..9

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Executive Summary
Campers need a way to charge their smartphones and cook food during camping trips.
This report proposes and describes how a team will create a lightweight, portable camp
stove that can charge a smartphone. The stove will use a thermoelectric generator
module to create electricity from the heat given off by the camp stove. The electricity
will power a detachable battery pack that has a USB port. This stove will allow campers
to safely create a fire for cooking while charging electronics. To create a prototype of the
stove, the team will create a detailed design plan and research thermoelectric
technology. The team will also create a fully functional prototype and test each part of
the design closely. The project will be completed in five phases, each spanning about 2-3
months. The phases include planning, design, construction, testing, and revision, and
major milestones include the completion of design plans at the end of October. The
estimated budget is about $150. The team will need only three members; the project
manager, someone who has experience with circuits, and someone who knows how to
work with tools.

Statement of the Problem


Campers need a way to charge their smartphones on camping trips. Most
campers and backpackers need smartphones to see trail maps, take pictures, and have
access to emergency services. However, portable chargers and batteries take up
valuable backpack space during long trips or hikes. These chargers also have a limited
amount of energy that cannot be renewed during a camping trip. Solar chargers have
energy stores that can be renewed during a trip using solar energy, however, these
chargers are very expensive and do not work at night or if the sky is cloudy.
Campers also need a way to cook food safely and efficiently. Open air fires
commonly made by campers can be dangerous to campers and the environment.
According to the National Parks Service, 90% of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by
human activities, especially unattended open air campfires (Wildfire Causes). Open air
fires are also difficult to make and control, illegal to make during fire bans, and create
excessive smoke. Camp stoves solve the problems of open air fires, but many require
liquid or gas fuel. This takes up backpack space.
There are camp stoves that can charge a smartphone currently available on the
market, but many are very expensive. One such camp stove is from a company called
Biolite. Biolite’s Campstove 2 uses thermoelectric modules to create electricity and is
wood burning and smokeless (Campstove 2). DIY thermoelectric USB charger projects
also exist online. One project allows boiling water to power a portable battery pack by

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attaching a thermoelectric module to a pot (Scraptopower, 2012). However, these
projects are often confusing and contain many design flaws.

Technical Approach
Planning
During the planning stage, the group will refine the project timeline and
schedule. The group will decide on and understand the responsibilities and tasks of
each member. The group will also decide on and order the supplies needed for the
camp stove.
Research
Before building, the group will need to research how to create a circuit that
connects a power source to a USB port and directs power into rechargeable batteries.
The group will also need to research the temperature difference at which a
thermoelectric module most efficient, or how hot the camp stove must be to create
electricity. The group may need to research how to weld pieces of metal together
Designing
To make this project work, the group will need to design a wood burning camp
stove that will get hot enough so that the TEG (thermoelectric generator) can generate
electricity. Wood gas stoves get very hot and do not require fuel canisters, so the group
will need to design one of these types of stoves. The group will also need to design a
battery pack that can store the electricity generated by the TEG and has a USB port. The
camp stove must also be small and lightweight enough to fit in a backpack.
Testing
Three aspects of the design must be tested before the final prototype is complete;
the cook stove, the functionality of the TEG, and battery pack. When the cookstove is
created, it will be tested to see how hot the outside of it can get and how difficult it is to
start a fire inside of it. After the heat sink, TEG, and aluminum component are put
together, the electricity output of the TEG will be tested by applying heat to the hot side
of the TEG. Finally, the complete battery pack will be tested to make sure the USB port
is able to charge a phone and the rechargeable batteries can hold a charge. Once the
three have been tested and improved, they will be joined together to create the final
prototype. The final prototype will be tested by creating a fire in the camp stove and
seeing if a phone will charge if plugged into the USB port.
Revision
The group will use gathered data to improve each of the three components of the
design. If the camp stove does not get hot enough, then more holes for airflow may
need to be added. If the TEG is not outputting enough energy, there may need to be

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more cooling or the TEG might not be positioned correctly. The group will use the data
to fix any obvious mistakes and make the camp stove more efficient.
education/outreach- By completing this project, the group will understand the
engineering design process and get real world experience in engineering. The group
will gain knowledge about how to create circuits, how TEGs work and their
applications, and how to weld. The group will also learn how to budget time and
money, test and improve upon prototypes, and how to collaborate and function as a
team.
Sustainability
After the completion of the project, the group will have a functional prototype of
the camp stove. To make this project sustainable after graduation, the group will aim to
get a patent on the design of the camp stove. The group will then aim to manufacture
and sell the camp stove to campers.

Project Management
● Phase 1- Planning
During the planning phase, the group will divide up tasks and make sure
responsibilities are understood. The group will also research any necessary information
or skills, such as the temperature difference a TEG needs to create the most electricity.
● Phase 2- Designing
During the designing phase, the group will come up with a design for the
cookstove, battery pack, and TEG component. The group will order parts necessary for
the prototype. The group will also create detailed design drawings.
● Phase 3 - Construction
During the construction phase, the group will construct the camp stove, battery
pack, and TEG components. Each will be constructed separately and put together after
testing each. More parts may be ordered as needed.
● Phase 4- Testing
During the testing phase, the group will test each of the three components
separately and then test the final prototype. The group will test maximum temperature
and convenience of the camp stove, the energy output of the TEG component, and if the
USB port on the battery pack functions correctly. The group will also create detailed
reports of the testing.
● Phase 5 - Revision
The group will edit the prototype to improve it or to fix any major design flaws.
This could include adding more holes to the camp stove for better air flow or legs to the
stove for stability.

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Table 1: Project timetable with milestones.

Milestones
The two major milestones of this project are the completion of the design and the
completion of the final prototype.

Responsibilities
➢ Project Manager
○ Overseeing other team members, ensuring team is on schedule, ensuring
milestones are met, overseeing parts ordered and budget, leading design
and construction, organizing testing.
➢ Team Member 1
○ Researching circuits, construction of battery pack, testing the battery pack,
collaborating with team members.
➢ Team Member 2
○ Researching the TEG component, construction of TEG component and
cook stove, testing the TEG component and cook stove, collaborating with
team members.

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Deliverables
➢ Detailed Design Drawings
○ Detailed design drawings of the camp stove, TEG, and battery pack
components as well as the complete design will be provided by the end of
October. These drawings will be isometric and will include labels of all
parts used.
➢ Physical Prototype
○ The group will provide a functional camp stove that is able to charge a
phone by the beginning of March. The camp stove prototype will include
a detachable battery pack and will be portable and lightweight.
➢ Description of Test Procedures
○ The group will provide detailed descriptions of the the procedures used to
test the camp stove, TEG, battery pack components, and final prototype.
These will be provided between the months of November and March.
➢ Experimental Data
○ The group will provide the experimental data gathered from the testing of
the camp stove, TEG, battery pack, and final prototype. These will be
provided between the months of November and March.
➢ Circuit Diagram
○ A circuit diagram of the battery pack will be provided by the end of
January.
➢ User Instructions
○ Instructions on how to use the final prototype of the campstove will be
provided by the end of April. These instructions will include information
on how to start a fire using the cookstove and how to use the battery pack
to charge a phone.

Budget

Table 2: Requested Items and Funds for Initial Design


Item Supplier Quantity Unit Price Total

12 V 60W Walmart 2 $5.99 $11.98


TEC1-12706
Peltier Plate

Aluminium Amazon 1 $13.28 $13.28

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Heatsink (uxcell)

Rechargeable Best Buy 1 $13.99 $13.99


AA Batteries

1N4001 diode Odd Wires 1 $0.99 $0.99

AA Battery Amazon 1 $7.88 $7.88


Holder (Wayllshine)

Terminal Block Adafruit 1 $2.95 $2.95

Project Box Amazon 1 $7.51 $7.51


(Hammond)

Mini Panel Side Amazon 1 $1.88 $1.88


Switch (amico)

DC-DC USB Adafruit 1 $14.95 $14.95


Step Up
Converter

Heat Resistant Amazon 1 $24.98 $24.98


18 Gauge Wire (BNTECHGO)

Thermal Paste Amazon 1 $7.10 $7.10


(Arctic Silver
5)

¼ in aluminum Amazon 1 $23.99 $23.99


sheet (RMP)

19 oz Soup Can Walmart 1 $1.88 $1.88

12 oz tuna can Amazon 1 $3.88 $3.88


(Bumble Bee)

1 quart paint Amazon 1 $11.50 $11.50


can (Cornucopia
Brands)

Total $148.74

Team Qualifications
➢ Team Member 1

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○ This team member must have a good understanding of how circuits work.
The battery pack requires a circuit, so the project needs someone who can
create a working circuit. This person must be able to create a circuit
diagram as well. This person must also be hardworking and able to work
well in groups. He or she must have good attention to detail and
communications skills.
➢ Team Member 2
○ This team member must know how to work with tools such a drills. The
camp stove requires many holes to be drilled on curved surfaces, so this
person must know how to drill holes cleanly. This person should be able
to work well with their hands and thoughtfully plan construction. This
person must be hardworking, able to work well in groups, have good
attention to detail, and have good communication skills.

References
Campstove 2. Retrieved from
https://www.bioliteenergy.com/products/campstove-
2?gclid=CjwKCAjw5uTMBRAYEiwA5HxQNvCF3NTbOIeBbkau9e8YRdjrDKf6_
zr4SRLwwzwL8TTIxy6xk7l9jxoCiRQQAvD_BwE
Scraptopower. (2012). Thermoelectric USB Charger. Retrieved from
http://www.instructables.com/id/Thermoelectric-USB-charger/
Wildfire Causes. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-
center/fire-in-depth/wildfire-causes.cfm

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