[tankdriver]

Kerosene Refrigerator

Years ago, while taking classes to get my Refrigeration, Steam Operators Lic, They talked about a old home refrigerator that was used in the rural areas of the country before TVA was set up.

This used ammonia, and a small Kerosene burner that you put under the normal looking it uses about .24 gal in 24 hours.

I have seen the little burners at antique stores, and one of the refrigerators at a antique store over the years. I wish I had purchased it. There are no moving parts to wear out, and no power required. You can use any fuel as long as it provides heat. On the new ones they say a wick will last close to 2 months.

Simple explanation of how it works:

1. Heat is applied to the ammonia and water solution in the generator. (The heat comes from burning gas, propane or kerosene.)
2. As the mixture reaches the boiling point of ammonia, it flows into the separator.
3. Ammonia gas flows upward into the condenser, dissipates heat and converts back to a liquid.
4. The liquid ammonia makes its way to the evaporator where it mixes with hydrogen gas and evaporates, producing cold temperatures inside the refrigerator's cold box.
5. The ammonia and hydrogen gases flow to the absorber where the water collected in the separator in step No. 2 mixes with the ammonia and hydrogen gases.
6. The ammonia forms a solution with the water and releases the hydrogen gas, which flows back to the evaporator.
7. The ammonia-and-water solution flows toward the generator to repeat the cycle.

These are still made new today. I need to go ahead and buy one. They are fairly expensive, about 2000.00 for a 8 cu ft..

Something to think about.

Links on info
http://vintageservelrefrigerators.8k.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_refrigerator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_refrigerator
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/gadgets-electronics/blogs/diy-fridge-uses-almost-no-energy

Links to build

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/ho...frigeration-to-your-refrigerator#.Uwo-BWeYZMs
http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=38249

Links to buy

https://www.lehmans.com/p-3505-dometic-kerosene-refrigerator.aspx
https://www.thenaturalhome.com/servel400k.htm
http://www.bensdiscountsupply.com/servel-dometic-rk400-kerosene-refrigerator.aspx
http://www.sibir.com/english/products/domestic--home/kerosene/kerosene-fridge-s210ke.aspx

 

[lonesomeburro]

Why not buy a salvaged refrigerator out of an old rec-vehicle or a travel trailer. They usually run on propane or electricity. Even new replacements are available. Either one might be cheaper. Then build your own cabinet for it.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

Why not buy a salvaged refrigerator out of an old rec-vehicle or a travel trailer. They usually run on propane or electricity. Even new replacements are available. Either one might be cheaper. Then build your own cabinet for it.

Yes.

Although those DO require electricity to monitor them.


I will make one of these one day:
http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/crosley_icyball.html

 

[JDH]

I'm deconstructing my Travel trailer now. If someone were to want one.

 

[wasniper]

I have 3 kerosene refers one new Sibir and two servels late 40s early 50s they all work take no electricty the wicks last longer than 2 mo and they burn about 5 gal of kerosene per month, well worth having. JT

 

[wasniper]

Yes.

Although those DO require electricity to monitor them.


I will make one of these one day:
http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/crosley_icyball.html

The older propane refers from travel trailers do not need electrical to monitor them, I have several that work anywhere as long as they have propane. JT

 

[Nomad 2nd]

I'm deconstructing my Travel trailer now. If someone were to want one.

Location?


Words added for length

 

[Drchuck9792]

We had a Servel in Vietnam in the '60's. It was great, really took a beating but never stopped running.

 

[AktionT4]

Zeer pots work in a pinch - just not effective in high humidity situations.

 

[Unbelievable]

i learn something new everyday…. never knew this existed until today

 

[JDH]

Location?


Words added for length

Austin area.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

Austin area.

PM sent.



words added

 

[arguz]

Tagging for reference

 

[jblewis007]

My granmamma live her whole life 60 miles south of NOLA, little town called Buras. She didn't get "lectricity" until after hurricane Betsy in 65 I believe it was. Before that she had a gas reefer that ran on natural gas that's abundant down there. I remember as a kid marveling at that thing! It had a light inside that ran on 2 "D" cells. Worked like a champ. Lights were gas mantles on the wall. She also had a battery powerd radio and had taken the train into NOLA to but a TV cause elctricity was comin in 66. She was a prepper and didn't even know it!

 

[MyPrepperLife]

If you are determined to live without electric power, or if you are determined to live with very little electric power, then I suppose a kerosene refrigerator kind of makes sense. If it were me, though, I would be spending money for a solar-electric system that could power a small, energy-efficient electric refrigerator. Actually, that is pretty much what I am planning to do when I build my survival cabin this summer. Why? Because in a long-term-disaster scenario, you might not be able to replenish your supply of kerosene.

 

[oldparanoia]

"Slight" difference in price; old kerosene refrigerator that you refurbish vs an entire solar-electric system. Have you priced the solar-electric system yet? Maybe one first until you can save up for the other?

 

[MyPrepperLife]

"Slight" difference in price; old kerosene refrigerator that you refurbish vs an entire solar-electric system. Have you priced the solar-electric system yet? Maybe one first until you can save up for the other?

Yes, I have priced the solar-electric system I want, and it is not going to be cheap. I think it will cost me about $8,000 at least.

But my $8,000 system is going to run my entire house pretty much like a house on the grid (though of course I am planning the house such that requirements for electricity will be kept to a minimum). My system will run computers, printer, modem, router, TV, washer (but no dryer), small refrigerator, microwave, hair dryer, lights, cell-phone charger, battery chargers, a few more things. There will be a smaller, separate solar-electric system for pumping water. Heat will be provided by a woodstove (no electricity required). Firewood will be harvested with a battery-operated chainsaw. Water will be heated by a propane-fueled on-demand water heater; the woodstove will be the backup plan for heating water if propane isn't available.

Also - I am working on changing my electricity-usage habits now, before I move into the off-grid cabin. One small change I've made: most of the time now, I watch movies on my laptop instead of using my DVD player and big-screen TV.

If the only electric appliance you have is a small, energy-efficient refrigerator, you could power it with a solar-electric system that would cost a lot less than what I am going to spend.

The point I was making is that relying on kerosene for refrigeration isn't a good plan for a long-term-disaster situation.

 

[tankdriver]

If you are determined to live without electric power, or if you are determined to live with very little electric power, then I suppose a kerosene refrigerator kind of makes sense. If it were me, though, I would be spending money for a solar-electric system that could power a small, energy-efficient electric refrigerator. Actually, that is pretty much what I am planning to do when I build my survival cabin this summer. Why? Because in a long-term-disaster scenario, you might not be able to replenish your supply of kerosene.

But as stated above, that is one thing that makes it really great, you can use a candle, diesel, vegetable oil, wood, paper......

Anything that will produce heat, and it has NO moving parts.

 

[MyPrepperLife]

But as stated above, that is one thing that makes it really great, you can use a candle, diesel, vegetable oil, wood, paper......

Anything that will produce heat, and it has NO moving parts.

Thanks - but where is it stated? I don't see it.

 

[tankdriver]

Thanks - but where is it stated? I didn't see it.

1st post, 3rd paragraph.......


I have seen the little burners at antique stores, and one of the refrigerators at a antique store over the years. I wish I had purchased it. There are no moving parts to wear out, and no power required. You can use any fuel as long as it provides heat. On the new ones they say a wick will last close to 2 months.

Read more at http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=341306#idPmd1UgR9sPrTaQ.99