Large heatsinks in refrigerator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter djdoug99
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Refrigerator
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of using large aluminum heatsinks as a means to stabilize the temperature in a refrigerator when the door is left open, comparing this approach to using water jugs. Participants explore the implications of heat capacity, the positioning of heatsinks, and the overall utility of these methods in maintaining cold temperatures.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that large aluminum heatsinks could be used instead of water jugs to help stabilize refrigerator temperature.
  • Another participant points out that water has a heat capacity four times that of aluminum, raising questions about the effectiveness of heatsinks compared to water.
  • A participant proposes that positioning heatsinks closer to the incoming warm air might enhance their effectiveness in stabilizing temperature.
  • Concerns are raised about the practicality of using water jugs, with one participant arguing that they may block airflow and questioning the overall purpose of the proposed methods.
  • Another participant emphasizes that having a full fridge reduces power usage and suggests that the volume of cooled air escaping is less significant in a full fridge compared to an empty one.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and practicality of using heatsinks versus water jugs, with no consensus reached on which method is superior or if either is effective at all.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the implications of heat capacity and the positioning of materials within the fridge, but the conversation does not resolve the effectiveness of the proposed solutions or clarify the assumptions behind their arguments.

djdoug99
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to keep my refrigerator cold when I have the door open and have read about putting water jugs in the back to help stabilize the temperature when the door is left ajar. Instead of water, would large aluminum heatsinks (with fins) work just as well?

Thanks

Don
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Compare the heat capacities.
 
Water has a heat capacity 4 times that of aluminum, but If I can position the heat sinks in the front of the refrigerator (closer to the incoming warm air), will that be just as effective as water jugs in the back?
 
Wasn't talking about specific heats. The point was to compare volume of non-useable space in the fridge. Cold air is going to be falling from the fridge quite rapidly and being replaced by warm air. The more cold "mass" present in the space, the quicker the recovery when you close the door. As far as cooling the incoming air on the way in, why worry about it?
 
I don't really understand what you are trying to do. A jug of water sitting behind your fridge doesn't really do anything except maybe block airflow. And a heatsink -- is it connected to anything? And leaving the fridge open -- are you trying to destroy it while providing cumbersome heating to the room it is in?

This really makes no sense.
 
russ_watters said:
I don't really understand what you are trying to do. A jug of water sitting behind your fridge doesn't really do anything except maybe block airflow. And a heatsink -- is it connected to anything? And leaving the fridge open -- are you trying to destroy it while providing cumbersome heating to the room it is in?

This really makes no sense.

Sitting in the back of the fridge, not behind it.
Having a full fridge reduces the power usage. When the fridge is opened the volume of cooled air escaping is much less than if the fridge was empty.
I put water bottles in as they're useful, unlike Al blocks. Although, I bet I'd get more power savings from thinking about what I'd like to eat/drink before staring into the fridge blankly..
 

Similar threads

The reservoir of refrigerant between condenser & metering device
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Could we make a practical solar fridge?
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
How to estimate enthalpy change across a compressor in simple vapor compression cycle
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Ideas for refrigerator door design
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
10K
Chemistry How to reverse the process of rubbing two stones in water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad How does a pressure/temperature difference cause a force?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Missing or mistaken door slam force formula?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
How do I compare indoor and outdoor relative humidity levels?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Graduate A Few questions about how a refrigerator works
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
I have a few questions about refrigeration and AC units
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K