Biosensors & Bioelectronics

Development of a Low-Cost Thermal Heater-Cooler Blocks Using Locally Recycled Waste

Abstract

Ben Festus, Ewetumo T, Adedayo KD and Oluyamo SS

In the determination of the thermo-physical properties (viz thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity) of composite solids using steady state methods, one of the key components of the test column assembly is the heatercooler block which is used either as a heater or cooler according to the experimental procedure. In this research work, a heater-cooler block was developed using aluminum coated materials gotten from recycled waste. The waste materials were subjected to a high temperature and the aluminum oxide extracted. The resulting solid aluminum block was machined to specifications to form a heater-cooler block. The heating element was also salvaged from a car cigarette lighter and embedded in the heater-cooler block. The heater block was powered from a 12 V designed power supply and was found to perform well as expected.