Ben & Jerry's Thermoacustic Freezer: Eco-Friendly Refrigeration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the thermoacoustic freezer developed for Ben & Jerry's by researchers at Penn State, focusing on its environmental benefits compared to traditional refrigeration methods. Participants explore its efficiency, potential applications, and the implications of using sound waves for freezing, as well as alternative solutions like aerogels.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the environmental advantages of the thermoacoustic freezer over conventional refrigeration due to reduced emissions of harmful gases like HCFCs and HFCs.
  • Others argue that the thermoacoustic freezer may not be as efficient as typical heat pumps, raising questions about its overall effectiveness.
  • A participant inquires about the theoretical efficiency of the thermoacoustic chiller compared to standard heat pumps, suggesting that further development is necessary.
  • Another participant mentions the need for the technology to be scaled for consumer use, emphasizing the potential market among environmentally conscious consumers.
  • One participant proposes that aerogels could be a better alternative for insulation, addressing ozone issues, although they note the high cost associated with this material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the efficiency of the thermoacoustic freezer compared to traditional heat pumps, with no consensus reached on its overall performance or market viability.

Contextual Notes

Discussions include uncertainties regarding the theoretical efficiency of the thermoacoustic technology and the extent of development required to make it commercially viable. The cost implications of alternative materials like aerogels are also noted.

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A freezer was recently invented for Ben and Jerry's by researchers at Penn State called the thermoacustic freezer. It freezes with sound waves. Ben and Jerrys likes this because it is more enviromentally friendly than regular refrigeration, since regular refrigeration gives of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's) which are bad for the ozone layer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/12/magazine/12THERM.html?ex=1103691600&en=f85f8ccd8985a322&ei=5070

http://http://www.benjerry.com/our_company/press_center/press/thermoacoustics.html

This is pretty cool. :wink:
 
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Also very efficient, with few moving parts. What weather for the news release!
 
Its actually not as efficient as typical heat pumps. The whole point was to move away from potentially damaging refridgerant gases to a green alternative.

http://www.acs.psu.edu/thermoacoustics/refrigeration/benandjerrys.htm

Here's the multimedia presentation on their site (geared to kids)
http://www.benjerry.com/assets/flash/our_company/sounds_cool/soundsCool.cfm

Cliff
 
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What is the potential theoretical efficiency of such a chiller compared to that of typical heat pumps?
 
Loren Booda said:
What is the potential theoretical efficiency of such a chiller compared to that of typical heat pumps?

According to the researchers its better than the current level of a typical heat pump manufactured today. But how much more remains to be developed on the current heat pumps is another matter, and how far they need to develop this thermoacoustic technology to bring it to market remains to be seen.

More power to them once they can get this scaled to a standard kitchen fridge or 2ton/3ton house unit with a high enough SEER to sell it to consumers. I would think there would have to be a market of enviromentally conscious consumers ready to purchase it.

Cliff
 
The answer is insulating with aerogels... Aerogels can solve the ozone issues and is a much better substitute.. only thing is it is costly.