Passive refigeration

"SQLit" wrote in message

"WisJim" wrote in message Here are sites that shows home built 'IcyBall" type units. I know that there are some other websites showing homebuilt ones too. http://www.fridge.lionheart.net/ http://www.ggw.org/~cac/IcyBall/HomeBuilt/HallPlans/IB_Directions.html http://www.ggw.org/~cac/IcyBall/HomeBuilt/HomeBuilt.html Maybe this will help folks understand them. This getting me interested in getting mine working again--I just have the cooling unit, no cabinet etc.
Jim
Interesting ideas. I have been looking at the Robur gas fired stuff. They have a basic 5 ton package unit. Unfittingly the heating is poor for my application.

A friendly warning on building anything that has ammonia in it.
Ammonia is a nasty substance, it burns, it explodes, it turns to a very caustic substance when it hits moisture, so if the ammonia gas gets into you eyes or lungs you have big problems, as it would be the same as having caustic soda in them.

RamRodSwordofBaal wrote:

A friendly warning on building anything that has ammonia in it.
Ammonia is a nasty substance, it burns, it explodes, it turns to a very caustic substance when it hits moisture, so if the ammonia gas gets into you eyes or lungs you have big problems, as it would be the same as having caustic soda in them.

I was slightly surprised to see them using ammonia, butane and propane would seem more logical choices. But then again the pics showed them operating these fridges with no insulation whatever...
NT

wrote in message

RamRodSwordofBaal wrote:
A friendly warning on building anything that has ammonia in it.
Ammonia is a nasty substance, it burns, it explodes, it turns to a very caustic substance when it hits moisture, so if the ammonia gas gets into you eyes or lungs you have big problems, as it would be the same as having caustic soda in them.
I was slightly surprised to see them using ammonia, butane and propane would seem more logical choices. But then again the pics showed them operating these fridges with no insulation whatever...
NT

NH3 is used at most of the ice plants I work around. Propane and Butane are used for super cold freezers, like minus 100 C. in my experience.

SQLit wrote:

meow2222@care2.com> wrote in message RamRodSwordofBaal wrote:
A friendly warning on building anything that has ammonia in it.
Ammonia is a nasty substance, it burns, it explodes, it turns to a very caustic substance when it hits moisture, so if the ammonia gas gets into you eyes or lungs you have big problems, as it would be the same as having caustic soda in them.
I was slightly surprised to see them using ammonia, butane and propane would seem more logical choices. But then again the pics showed them operating these fridges with no insulation whatever...
NH3 is used at most of the ice plants I work around. Propane and Butane are used for super cold freezers, like minus 100 C. in my experience.

I understood we were talking of homemade kit rather than maximally efficient pro kit, so the considerations are different. The danger of NH3 is what makes me suggest butane, and also the easy availability of the gasses.
Butane can be used to replace CFCs in old fridges, so its quite workable at ice temps, even if not perfect.
NT

The latest technology in high efficiency refrigeration involves "vacuum insulation panels". The refrigerator is effectively a large thermos bottle, so to speak. This technology is also being used to super insulate buildings.
http://www.ammagazine.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2606,24966,00.html
http://www.rparts.com/Catalog/Box_Building/insulation/insulation.asp