Tried this in Physics, said try here

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around an unexpected temperature increase in a pub's cellar after a sudden drop in outside temperature. Participants explore potential explanations for the phenomenon, considering factors such as air circulation, insulation, and the operation of the cooler system. The scope includes general physics concepts and practical implications related to temperature changes in enclosed spaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that a cold front could explain the rapid drop in outside temperature, but question how it would affect the beer temperature in the cellar.
  • One participant proposes that the sudden drop in outside temperature could have caused warmth to be trapped in the insulated cellar, although they express uncertainty about this explanation.
  • Another participant raises the possibility of external factors, such as reversed air conditioning or other heat sources, affecting the cellar temperature.
  • There is speculation about the cooler's functionality, with a participant questioning if it operates as a heat pump that could inadvertently raise the cellar temperature under certain conditions.
  • One participant humorously notes the cultural aspect of warm beer in England while suggesting that a temperature inversion might have forced warm air into the cellar.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various hypotheses and uncertainties, with no consensus reached on the exact cause of the temperature change in the cellar. Multiple competing views remain regarding the influence of external temperature changes and the operation of the cooler.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding, including the lack of information about the cooler's design and operation, as well as the absence of direct measurements or observations during the temperature change.

mufcdiver
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Hi,
Something weird happened the other week and I was wondering if anyone here could explain why. I run a pub and our cellar operates at about a steady 11°c all year round (cooler assisted). The other week we were enjoying some pleasant weather for the time of year(16/17°c) then wham! in the space of about 15/20 mins the outside temp dropped to 9°c. The next thing I know someone complains that the beer is warm, I roll my eyes and to pacify them say I'll check the gas, I go to the cellar and the temp is nudging 16°c(in a heatwave[30°c] it only gets to 13°c)
So in a general physics kind of way, what went on?

PS cooler was working fine!:smile:
 
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The drop outside could be due to a cold front passing. Temperature can drop pretty quick when they do. Don't know why that should affect your beer... coincidence?
 
matthyaouw said:
The drop outside could be due to a cold front passing. Temperature can drop pretty quick when they do. Don't know why that should affect your beer... coincidence?

Its not so much the beer or the outside temp drop, it the fact that the ambient temp in the cellar should suddenly jump up 5c. I told my customers that the sudden drop outside had sucked all the warmth out of the ground and it had got trapped in the insulated cellar, they bought it but I don't know

BTW thanks for answering
 
There is no way to know what happened. Did somebody reverse the airco. Has somebody operated a heater dryer down there? Or baked something?

What happened to the temperature next?

You're not sitting on a volcano, are you?
 
Andre said:
There is no way to know what happened. Did somebody reverse the airco. Has somebody operated a heater dryer down there? Or baked something?

What happened to the temperature next?

You're not sitting on a volcano, are you?

Now that's what gets me, the only heat source near are two coal fires directly above which hadn't been lit in six months.The cooler only has two settings(on & off) and it sucks air from outside which like I say was way cooler so the only source of heat could have been from the ground but volcanoes in northern England, not this side of the last ice age:smile:

It shall remain a mystery
 
after about 2 hours it clawed its way back down to 11c
 
Is the cooler a heat pump also? a lot of coolers (mainly outdoor ones) are also designed to heat the cooler in the event that the outside temp drops below 0 C, or close to it, to prevent the contents of the cooler from freezing. Could be one of the sensors got a blast of cold air? telling the heat pump to kick in.

That would be my only logical answer other than coincidence.

Jim
 
so the english really do drink warm beer

lucas make your cooler?

ok enuff joking

colder air can trap warm air below it called an inversion
maybe that happened and forced warm air into the cellar ?
 

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