Using Isothermally Compressed Air to Cool a Refrigerator

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the amount of isothermally compressed air required to cool a refrigerator and freezer. The air is supplied at 7 psi (approximately 148 kPa) and a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius. To maintain a refrigerator at 3 degrees Celsius and a freezer at -18 degrees Celsius, the first step involves determining the temperature of the air after it expands adiabatically and reversibly from 7 psig to 0 psig. This calculation is crucial for understanding the cooling efficiency of the system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics, specifically adiabatic and isothermal processes.
  • Familiarity with pressure units, particularly psi and kPa.
  • Knowledge of refrigeration principles and temperature control.
  • Basic skills in performing thermodynamic calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of adiabatic expansion in thermodynamics.
  • Learn how to calculate the temperature change during isothermal and adiabatic processes.
  • Explore the design and efficiency of refrigeration systems using compressed air.
  • Investigate the properties of air at different pressures and temperatures for cooling applications.
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Engineers, HVAC professionals, and anyone interested in innovative cooling solutions using compressed air technology.

Andy049
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If I have a steady supply of isothermally compressed air at 7 psi (approximately 148 kPa) at a temperature of 4 degrees C, how would I calculate the amount needed of that air per unit time to maintain the temperature of a 14 cf refrigerator at 3 degrees C? A 18 cf freezer at -18 degrees C?
 
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The first step would be to determine the temperature that the air would attain if it were expanded adiabatically and reversibly from a pressure of 7 psig to a pressure of 0 psig.
 

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