The History of Propane Refrigeration

Warehouse Appliance provides information for consumers in regards the history of the propane refrigerator.

The ammonia refrigeration cooling system which is also known as an absorption cooling system was first discovered in 1824 by Micheal Faraday who tried to liquefy gases which, among them was an ammonia gas. This experiment was used in taking ammonia vapor in a glass tube with silver chloride in it and allowing it to absorb in the silver chloride powder. He then heated the chloride -ammonia mixture and watched the ammonia liquid evaporate out of the silver chloride and become cold.

This experiment later was the birth of the ammonia absorption cooling systems [HEREAFTER CALLED PROPANE REFRIGERATORS]. There has been much advancement in the understanding of this type of refrigeration in our time and age. There is also not much LP fridge history given until the early 1930's when the SERVEL propane refrigerators were invented.

At the time of this invention there was not much refrigeration available on the market. Therefore, this become the first most popular refrigerator which at that time was sold in large cities by the 10's of thousands for apartments, hotels, and any other application known. People had only a few other options available for refrigeration at that time.

Since then, refrigeration has greatly advanced with electric refrigerators, 12V solar DC refrigerator units, and propane gas refrigerators. These refrigerators are always being improved to add more efficiency and less energy with less money. Many people still resort to propane absorption refrigeration systems for a non electric appliance.

For more information regarding Propane Refrigerators contact Warehouse Appliance at either 928-636-1955 or by visiting our website at http://www.warehouseappliance.com.

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About the Absorption Refrigerator

Warehouse Appliance provides information for consumers in regards to purchasing an absorption refrigerator.

What is an Absorption Refrigerator?

What is an Absorption Refrigerator? It is exactly what the name implies. The unit refrigerates by absorbing the warm air from the interior and expelling it to the exterior. Within the gas refrigeration industry, this process is accomplished by using a sealed absorption system containing a solution mixture of ammonia, water, sodium chromate, and hydrogen. The mixture is boiled by a flame usually fueled by either propane gas or natural gas.

 The active ingredient is the ammonia which turns from liquid to vapor and back to a pure liquid again. This pure ammonia liquid absorbs the warm air through aluminum plates on the fridge back wall, freezer back wall, and freezer floor. This system uses no motors, compressors, or any moving parts. This is all accomplished by heat boiling the solution and it rising to the top of the sealed system where gravity takes over and allows the liquid to flow through the coil system at a rate determined by slight downward angles of the tubing.

The system is very simple in operation but very complicated in design. A very slight change in angle can alter performance and lower efficiency. A couple percentage difference in the solution ingredients will also change the gas refrigerator performance . Any weakness in a weld will shorten lifespan. All these factors must be correct in order to produce an efficient unit with top performance. Strict quality control is vital toward good production results.

At Warehouse Appliance, we rely on our many years of experience in using gas freezers and fridges, servicing gas refrigerators, and repairing gas fridges, and our warranty records to make the business decision of promoting the best brand. We choose the EZ Freeze brand.

We rate the EZ Freeze quality control as the best in the industry. EZ Freeze is the only company that produces the absorption system in house at the factory. No outside contracting is used in production. Over 50% of the production process is centered around quality checks within the production line of the product.  A high pressure flushing occurs immediately after the welding process is complete to remove any weld slag or foreign objects that may be inside of the coils. The absorption system is then baked in an oven to relieve stresses and reduce the risk of stress cracks during its lifespan. The oven baking process also aids in sterilization of the internals of the absorption unit prior to filling. Baking off the oils and impurities. Each unit is then pressurized and leak tested before installation in the cabinet. The EZ Freeze absorption units are all made on a jig and foamed in a mold and are interchangeable at anytime in it's life span with a new unit. This promotes consistency and reparability. It may seem excessive, but after all, this is the heart of the absorption refrigerator. It is also the most labor intensive part of production so it must be 100% before the unit ever gets to the consumer.

Further down the production line near completion, each unit is tested in the factory "Hot Room" which simulates a harsh operating environment with temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity levels. Each unit must pass well within the limits of good food keeping temperatures after this 16 hour torture test. The results are recorded on each refrigerator prior to packaging. No over company within this industry does this.

When asked about these strict quality control issues, EZ Freeze ownership replies "We realize that most of our fridges are used in remote areas. Hard to get to and from areas. It puts a great hardship on the consumer if there is a failure and we just don't want to see that happen."

For more information regarding Propane Refrigerators contact Warehouse Appliance at either 928-636-1955 or by visiting our website at http://www.warehouseappliance.com.

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Functions of a Propane Refrigerator

Warehouse Appliance describes how a propane refrigerator works. An absorption ammonia refrigerator or gas refrigerator still functions on the same basis as Micheal Faraday had started with. The mixture that these cooling systems use is a mixture of anhydrous ammonia, distilled water, and hydrogen vapor.

Here we analyze how a propane fridge functions. The ammonia and water is heated by a propane flame [which is why it is called a propane refrigerator] thus causing it to vaporize into a steam through the perk tube. The process that this steam is being perked, is similar to a coffee percolator. The inner tube [perk tube] in the boiler emits steam & water bubbles moving upward. Since the ammonia is lighter than water, the ammonia will turn into steam sooner then the water will. This ammonia steam is pushed up into a condenser by the hydrogen pressure while the water falls down into the outer tube and is pushed into the absorber tubes which then returns to the mixing tank [absorber tank].

As the ammonia steam is moving upward through the rectifier and on into the condenser tubes it again turns into a rich ammonia liquid. This rich ammonia liquid is pushed into the top of the evaporator tubing. After it is in the evaporator it meets the hydrogen gas moving up through the inner tube inside the evaporator. This hydrogen gas absorbs the rich ammonia. As the ammonia meets this hydrogen gas in the evaporator it creates a chemical reaction . This reaction evaporates the ammonia thus making it extremely cold at that point. This is what is called absorbing the heat, or better stated, removing the heat from the refrigerator box. See the below image to locate the propane refrigerator parts.Absorption system diagram for a gas refrigerator

In the mean time, the water is then being pushed backwards to the absorber coils and drops downward to the absorber tank. While this is happening, the hydrogen gas passes upward through the absorber coils and “catches” any ammonia left in the weak water that is falling downward and carries it up to the top of the evaporation system and drops it into the outer tube of the evaporator. It then flows downward in a mist form causing it to become extremely cold. As it falls down , the rich ammonia returns to the absorber tank [mixing tank] and mixes with the weak water which allows it to continue with it's cycle all over again.

An ammonia absorption cooling system is a unique design invented so that a person can operate independently by using either a propane , natural gas, or butane burner to heat the ammonia solution therefore creating and ammonia refrigerator. Earlier on, there were also many cooling units that used a kerosene burner to heat the solution. This type of refrigerator is still available on the market, yet is much more limited in supply.

Do you have more questions about propane refrigerators? Give Warehouse Appliance a call 928-636-1955 or check out our website at http://www.warehouseappliance.com.

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