Popular Science Monthly
Iceless Refrigerator Using Evaporation sides. A little for Cooling
��r' is not always convenient or possible to have ice for refrigeration. When such is the case, as in a camp or isolated places, the evaporation method may be applied. Milk or butter will keep much better by this method than in the regular ice-box or refrigerator. A very satisfactory iceless refrigerator may be easily constructed as shown in the illustration. The measure- ments given are not arbitrary, as any size suitable for needs may be used, the entire cooling process being the result of the evaporation of the water as it flows down the burlap curtain forming the sides of the cabinet.
A suitable cabinet for ordinary purposes is about 1 8 in. wide, 36 in. long and 40 in. high. It consists of a skeleton framework of corner posts 2 in. square with a base and top band made of a board 1 in. thick and 6 in. wide. The side to be used for the front is fitted with two doors built up just as frames and hinged to the corner posts, meeting at the center just like cupboard doors. All of these openings are filled with burlap set in so that the outside surfaces will be flush with the outside sur- faces of the corner posts. This may be done by building a light frame of quarter- round or light stock just to fit in the panel. Stretch the burlap over the panels and push them into the panel opening from the inside of the box frame. When this part is complete it makes a burlap inclosure without top or bottom.
The bottom or support is made of a frame the same size as the main box with corner posts about 10 in. long and the band the same as for the top and bottom of the box frame. Within this box frame build an inverted pyramid of galvanized sheet metal, allowing the edge to come up and over the edge of the side rail on the base; then extend it up about ^ in. In the center of the pyramid solder in a metal tube for a drain. The upper projection of metal will catch any overflow of water and lead it to the center drain pipes.
The top consists of a galvanized pan or tray the same size as the box frame and about 4 in. high, with a ventilator pipe soldered in the center. This pan is placed on top of the box frame. Wicks 4 in. in width are hung over the edge so that they will come in contact with the burlap sides. These wicks will evenly and slowly siphon the water placed in the tray to the burlap
��experimenting will be required to get the size of e the wicks right for the proper flow of water. These can be made of lamp-wick web or felt. The size may require altering according to the weather, as some days will be more humid than others.
���The refrigerator the center part
��Before placing the box frame on the base, small blocks of wood or the ordinary furniture domes should be used, under each corner post so that a space will be provided for the proper draining of the water. Shelves may be placed inside to rest upon brackets fastened to the corner posts. The edges of these shelves should not touch the burlap in any place.
As such a refrigerator depends on the evaporation of water in air currents the box should be placed where there is a slight draft to produce the right circulation. The air passing up through the center tends to draw the damp air from the sides.
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