h a l f b a k e r yAmbivalent? Are you sure?
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Freon is used because it condenses at a relatively low pressure. While it would be possible to design a heat pump which did not condense and evaporate the refrigerant, such a device would not be very effective since the change in temperature resulting from changes in gas pressure is comparatively small compared with that resulting from changes in state. |
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It would be possible to use other gasses to be sure, but they have their own problems. CO2 could work nicely if one didn't mind having pipes pressurized to 1000psi. Propane or butane could work decently at reasonable pressures, but a leak could have explosive consequences. Even water might not be too bad if used at and below atmospheric pressure, except that at low pressures there's not enough gas to transfer heat effectively. |
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One other gas that merits mention is NH4 (ammonia). Nasty stuff, but the ammonia-cycle air conditioner works on an entirely different principle from compressor-based ones and a version designed by Albert Einstein (yes, that Albert Einstein) requires no compressor or other moving parts. I don't understand how it works, but I read somewhere that a university student built one for a research project and it does work. |
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Liquid N2 actually has a pretty low cooling capacity; I doubt a modest-size tank would cool a car for very long, and the liquefying apparatus is definitely nontrivial. |
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Besides, freon replacements are totally Baked; most air conditioners and refrigerators now made use them. |
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One other gas that merits mention is
NH4 "(ammonia). Nasty stuff, but the
ammonia-cycle air conditioner works on
an entirely different principle from
compressor-based ones and a version
designed by Albert Einstein (yes, that
Albert Einstein) requires no compressor
or other moving parts. I don't
understand how it works, but I read
somewhere that a university student
built one for a research project and it
does work." |
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|
Nothing new about fridges running on
ammonia have had a few of those
myself, They actually work very well,
most of them work with a kerosene
flame, but there are examples of ones
with electric heaters and also powered
by other heat sources. |
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