Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave

In summary: The V-Tex sounds like it might be a more advanced version of this concept, and it seems like there might be some interesting physics at work.
  • #1
dipole
555
151
"Reverse Microwave"

There's some buzz going around about this product,

http://www.businessinsider.com/this-reverse-microwave-chills-beer-in-45-seconds-2013-10

which claims to be able to cool drinks rapidly.

Honestly, I'm a bit unimpressed. It looks like it's just a refrigerator that uses water and swirls it around to increase thermal conduction - but it's essentially still just a refrigerator. Is there any interesting physics here that I'm missing?
 
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  • #2
The V-Tex sounds like a domestic version of an industrial vortex-cooler.
 
  • #4
Pretty much - yeah.
Even looks like some of the industrial models.

It's the "reverse microwave" term that looks funny - then you realize that, for many people, the word "microwave" is a machine that heats things up quickly rather than a band of EM radiation.
 
  • #5
That's interesting that the vortex-tube concept still works for water. I would think being an incompressible fluid would have some affect on the mechanism (compared to air) but I know very little about fluid mechanics...

So, it's nothing new in terms of engineering concepts but it seems like there is some interesting physics at works, and according to that wiki article, the physics of vortex tubes is not well-understood (as seems to be the case for a lot of interesting phenomena in fluid mechanics).
 
  • #6
Fluid mechanics has a lot of stuff, like vortexes, that are sensitive to small changes in conditions - you get lots of recursion and fractal stuff. It makes it hard to model.

It's also why you get a lot of pseudoscience around the word "vortex".
 
  • #7
how does the vortex tube work?
 
  • #8
@Superposed_Cat: you can answer that for yourself by looking it up.
Do you know how a regular fridge works for a start?

tldr:
A regular fridge just moves a fluid around to transport heat from one place to another - the vortex design does the same thing, but it moves the fluid around in a particular pattern to improve it's performance as a heat pump.
 

1. How does the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" work?

The "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" uses advanced cooling technology to rapidly lower the temperature of a beverage. It works by circulating cold air around the can or bottle, bringing it to the desired temperature in just 45 seconds.

2. Is it safe to use the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" on all types of beer?

Yes, the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" can safely cool all types of beer. It is designed to work with both cans and bottles, and can cool any type of beer, including ales, lagers, and stouts.

3. How does the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" compare to a traditional refrigerator?

The "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" is much faster and more efficient than a traditional refrigerator. While a refrigerator can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to cool a beverage, the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" can do it in just 45 seconds.

4. Can the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" cool beverages other than beer?

Yes, the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" can cool any type of beverage, including soda, water, and even wine. It is a versatile appliance that can quickly cool any drink to the desired temperature.

5. How energy efficient is the "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave"?

The "Cool Beer in 45 Seconds - Reverse Microwave" is designed to be energy efficient. It uses a fraction of the energy that a traditional refrigerator uses, making it a more environmentally friendly option for cooling beverages.

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