How to get from idea to prototype?

[theatrus]

Chillers also have a lot of regulatory hurdles that a peltier doesn’t. You’re shipping a refrigerant. Modernly for small devices this is going to be isobutane (R600a) or propane (R290), both of which are flammable/explosive. And lots of refrigerant regulations which vary widely between countries. And expertise with such devices.

There is a reason you see lots of peltiers, and it’s not only size.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Chillers also have a lot of regulatory hurdles that a peltier doesn’t. You’re shipping a refrigerant. Modernly for small devices this is going to be isobutane (R600a) or propane (R290), both of which are flammable/explosive. And lots of refrigerant regulations which vary widely between countries. And expertise with such devices.

There is a reason you see lots of peltiers, and it’s not only size.

I would opt for R410a for that very reason, something in the 90W, 3 COP range. Palm size compressor.

But you are correct, the complexity and materials expertise for production becomes a bit more complex as does the jobber price if your have the Chinese build the components. That is one more reason that a product like this is a loser for startups in this niche. A larger OEM (like Aperture) may be able to justify the high cost, low margin as a compliment to the rest of their portfolio.

 

[Formulator]

for small devices this is going to be isobutane (R600a) or propane (R290)

What refrigerant options open up in a larger device? I wonder if it really needs to be a small tank mounted device, or if folks would consider making space under their stands or in their sump rooms for a slightly larger compressor with heat transfer fluid piped into a jacketed food chamber.

 

[theatrus]

What refrigerant options open up in a larger device? I wonder if it really needs to be a small tank mounted device, or if folks would consider making space under their stands or in their sump rooms for a slightly larger compressor with heat transfer fluid piped into a jacketed food chamber.

A lot of refrigerants are being phased out if they have a higher-than-needed greenhouse-gas effect. It's going to be dictated by what compressor/condenser/evap you can buy, and pretty much anything in the small-appliance size class (house fridge/freezers, etc) is on R600A now. R134a used to be the standard.

Really, what you need is someone who can turn key the needed components and assemble it. Lots of aquarium chillers are also in the "domestic fridge/freezer" size class, and use off the shelf compressors from exactly those. The JBJ chiller here is R134a with a Samsung compressor, but it's old now. TECO ships R600A units.

The US hasn't phased out R410a/R134a/etc yet, but the EU has, and the R600A units are actually more efficient (just don't cut the refrigerant lines with an ignition source - there is barely any refrigerant in them but its enough ).