A Novel Form of Refrigerator

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
When a gas is allowed to flow out along the radius in a rapidly rotating enclosure, it is compressed and therefore heated. The enclosure may be supplied with a coil of pipe carrying a cooling liquid to remove the heat of compression as formed in the gas. On guiding the gas back to the axis, it is cooled by its own expansion, and a maximum ΔT of about 150°C occurs. The work of expansion is determined by the rotor demand, not by the gas temperature or by the gas volume change. Both warm and cold fluids enter and leave the enclosure axially. Analysis shows that the cooling, ΔT, is given by ω2r2/2Cp. The rotational energy of the enclosure is not drawn upon by the steady fluid flows. The cooling liquid moves convectively through its circuit but the gas must enter the enclosure at a pressure somewhat above that at exit. A possible mechanical design is sketched. Maximum peripheral speeds allow 19 cal./gram to be extracted from the gas flow giving for air a drop of 77°C from room temperature. This is more than sufficient for most commercial refrigeration. Use of a favorable gas in the rotor gives sufficient ΔT to be very effective in gas liquefaction. Rotors may have their flows in series to increase the ΔT, and the gas may be at a supercritical pressure to keep it homogenous till released from the pressure. The device is expected to have high efficiency as a refrigerator. By utilizing the rejected heat, as Kelvin suggested, the device may be used for domestic heating.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: