Refrigeration Unplugged

Comments

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Brian Picht) on 12/23/2005 at 12:17 PM
  Posts: 1	This is a wonderful application of the &quotStirling&quot technology. I have followed these developments for many years. Many &quotKudos&quot go to William Crawford and his team. Merry Christmas! Brian (MIT 80) Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Kuntalkumar Pandit) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	It seems a very exciting concept opening many more application opportunities - but more concrete information is required for evaluation of the same. Can some one help please kuntalkumarpandit@gmail.com Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Brian Picht) on 12/23/2005 at 12:17 PM
  Posts: 1	This is a wonderful application of the &quotStirling&quot technology. I have followed these developments for many years. Many &quotKudos&quot go to William Crawford and his team. Merry Christmas! Brian (MIT 80) Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Kent Green) on 12/24/2005 at 4:14 AM
  Posts: 1	We had a device very similar to the one you describe at our no-power cottage in Ontario. It was used I believe in the 1920s or thirties and was called &quotThe Icey Ball&quot. We donated it to a local museum. kgreen@islandnet.com Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Kent Green) on 12/24/2005 at 4:14 AM
  Posts: 1	We had a device very similar to the one you describe at our no-power cottage in Ontario. It was used I believe in the 1920s or thirties and was called &quotThe Icey Ball&quot. We donated it to a local museum. kgreen@islandnet.com Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Whats New and Unique About This Project? Guest (John Mentha, Raleigh NC) on 12/25/2005 at 10:24 AM

  Posts: 1

  What distinguishes this prototype from earlier successful products based on the same concept? Prior to rural electification in the US, several products like this were available.  The Crosley &quotIcy Ball&quot ca 1920s was perhaps most well known look-a-like intermittant-absorption refrigerator(http://www.refresearch.com/m-icyball.html). Servel manufactured self-contained intermittant-absorption refrigerators in the 1930s that used internal burners for the heat source. &quotMother Earth News&quot ran a review titled &quotIncredible Wood-Burning Refrigerator&quot back in 1976. Are you folks running a little behind in your research? Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	refrigeration unplugged Guest (rein) on 01/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	how it was done?... what's new about this project? can i see an illustration of this project. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Whats New and Unique About This Project? Guest (John Mentha, Raleigh NC) on 12/25/2005 at 10:24 AM

  Posts: 1

  What distinguishes this prototype from earlier successful products based on the same concept? Prior to rural electification in the US, several products like this were available.  The Crosley &quotIcy Ball&quot ca 1920s was perhaps most well known look-a-like intermittant-absorption refrigerator(http://www.refresearch.com/m-icyball.html). Servel manufactured self-contained intermittant-absorption refrigerators in the 1930s that used internal burners for the heat source. &quotMother Earth News&quot ran a review titled &quotIncredible Wood-Burning Refrigerator&quot back in 1976. Are you folks running a little behind in your research? Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	icey ball building plans Guest (sean) on 01/11/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	do you have plans on makeing the icey ball or where can i buy one from regards sean Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	that is the point Guest (bbrv) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	@John Bringing, even re-introducing, a product to market after such a long abscense is still a daunting task.  The issue remains: "where can I buy one."  This exposure could serve as a catalyst toward that objective. R&B Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	orginal Crosley icy ball Guest (Cindy M.) on 01/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	http://www.ggw.org/~cac/IcyBall/crosley_icyball.html http://www.motherearthnews.com/library/1975_September_October/The_Incredible_Wood_Burning_Refrigerator__Is_Now_Under_Development_ http://www.fridge.lionheart.net/descript.htm I wish I could buy one of the new units though, smaller size. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Sam DeLay) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	Super Idea. We need alternatives to conventional electricity for all sort of situiations. Campers will love it. I say let me know when you have one for sale. I'm sure we can combine it with a solar cooker oven and do well without the wood fire too. Best regards, Sam Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Possible modifcation Guest (E Richardson) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	Is it possible to modify the product so that it could be used with out the use of fire, such as heat from a microwave, etc. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Information request Guest (Lcardoso) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	Where can I get more information about these device? Is it availabre to buy? Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (Gerald J. Grott) on 01/23/2006 at 12:00 AM

  Posts: 1

  You do not need a fire because solar energy can be stored at the solid state Phase Chenge temperature of  465* F. The Phase FChange Energy is 27 BTU/pound of contained anhydrous sodium sulfate. This heat storage allows 24/7 refrigeration with solarenergy about 70-80 % of the year. This storage also works with those adsorption type refrigeratots now using propane or other heat. Note- I have an ibterest by way of patent application for the use of sodium sulfate RECYCLED from waste waters. Jerry Grott Jerry Grott  Rate this comment: (Reply)

• Needs to be rugged, freezing is very valuable Guest (Charles IV) on 01/24/2006 at 12:00 AM

  Posts: 1

  Can it withstand low tech users who may over heat, drop, alter or otherwise abuse the unit? How long would the valves last? How much heat? For example wood burning and more green house gases? One day of how much solar heat? Two needed for continuous cooling. Medical supplies in backward areas could use this cooling function however freezing food for feast and famine cycles would have greater impact on their lives. Sounds great hope it works well. Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	Great for Hurricane Season Guest (George Skokan) on 01/24/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	Most people in South Florida have barbeques for the heat source during power outages. Some of us had no electricity for 2 weeks or more after  Katrina and Wilma, and had to use bags of ice from the supermarket every couple of days, once they were open and had it, to keep food from going bad. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Cold Unplugged Guest (John Archibald) on 01/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	This is not a Stirling heat engine, nor does it run on the Stirling Cycle. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Refrigeration Unplugged Guest (John L. Mason) on 01/25/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	You need a mixture such as ammonia-water to make this work. As already commented, this is similar to the intermittent absorption cycle of the 1920s and 30s. See the 14th edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 19, page 52 for a good description of how this works. Rate this comment: (Reply)

• 	Funny! Guest (Mark) on 03/02/2006 at 12:00 AM
  Posts: 1	Kerosene powered refrigerators have been available for a long time now.  Check with any RV dealer, or www.lehmans.com *shrug* Rate this comment: (Reply)

  • 	could be better Guest (Dewy) on 04/12/2006 at 12:00 AM
    Posts: 1	using water to mix with the ammonia isn't the most efficient method. Try using calcium carbonate as a solid absorbant for higher efficiency and better durability. Rate this comment: (Reply)

    • 	How using calcium carbonate Guest (John) on 07/29/2006 at 12:00 AM
      Posts: 1	How? Rate this comment: (Reply)