Turning Up the Heat to Cool Down
Most people wouldn't think to start a fire when they want to cool something down. After all, fire produces heat, which is the exact opposite of what a refrigerator or air conditioner is supposed to do. But as Greenhill Forge demonstrates in a recent video, it is possible to build a refrigeration system that runs on fire instead of electricity.
The project uses a technology known as absorption refrigeration, which has been around for more than a century. While modern refrigerators typically use an electrically powered compressor to circulate refrigerant, absorption refrigerators use heat to drive a chemical and thermodynamic process that produces cooling. This makes them particularly useful in off-grid locations where electricity may not be readily available.
An Arduino monitors the system for safety (📷: Greenhill Forge)
The system operates on a relatively simple principle: the boiling point of water decreases as pressure drops. At atmospheric pressure, water...
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