FAMOUS CREATION OF THE DAY THE REFRIGERATOR In warm climates, this device is nothing short of a staple.

To put it in simpler

terms, the world would have been a smellier refrigerator.

place if it wasnt for the

DESCRIPTION: The refrigerator

is an appliance used to preserve

perishable items by keeping them cool

HOW IT WORKS: The main parts of a refrigerator are:1) 2) 3) 4) Compressor Heat exchanging pipes Expansion valve Coolant

Refrigerators work on the principle that as a liquid evaporates

, it absorbs

heat. The cycle begins with the compressor and the coolant gas (e.g ammonia); the coolant gas passes through the compressor which increases its

pressure thus increasing its temperature

as well. The heated coolant gas is

then passed onto heat exchanging pipes which takes the excess heat off by dissipating it to the surroundings. It is important to note that the coolant gas is substantially heated so as to ensure maximum heat transfer when it gets to the

pipes which in turn would cause the coolant gas to liquefy as a result of the significant heat loss. The liquefied coolant is then passed onto an expansion

valve with a really small opening used to control the flow of liquid into the valve. Because the expansion valve is operating at a much lower pressure than the incoming coolant liquid, the coolant liquid flashes (evaporates) on entering the expansion valve and its temperature drops significantly. It is important to note that when a liquid enters a unit of lower pressure; its boiling point is greatly reduced. The evaporating liquid is then passed along to heat exchanging pipes located in the refrigerator; as the liquid continues to evaporate, it draws and absorbs heat from

the refrigerator thus cooling the insides. As the liquid absorbs more and more heat from the refrigerator, it evaporates until it exits the heat exchanging pipes completely in its gaseous form and then passes onto the compressor, beginning the process all over again.

INVENTOR(S) OF THE REFRIGERATOR: The first demonstration of

artificial refrigeration was given by the renowned medical doctor, William

Cullen, at the University of Glasgow in 1748 but he didnt apply it for

any practical purpose. In 1805, Oliver Evans designed the process of artificial refrigeration using the vapour-compression mechanism as it is known today but he didnt build any physical structure of his design due to a lack of

financial backing. In 1834, Jacob

Perkins built the worlds first refrigerator

using a modification of Evans design. In 1841, John Gorrie, a medical doctor from Florida, invented and built the first mechanical refrigeration unit also using Evans design as his basis. He then used his unit to cool the air of the ward

where his yellow fever patients were kept. In 1856, James Harrison, a Scotsman who migrated to Australia, built an ice making machine that used an

ammonia and ether compressor. In 1859, Ferdinand Carre of France developed a compression machine that employed ammonia as the coolant gas

instead of air. In 1895, Carl Von Linde, a German scientist, successfully developed the process of liquefying air which helped propel the wave of refrigeration to greater heights.

EVOLUTION OF THE REFRIGERATOR: Indiana native, Fred Wolf,

developed the first domestic refrigerator in 1913. In 1914, Nathaniel B Wales of Detroit introduced a more practical refrigeration unit and called it the Kelvinator in honour of Lord Kelvin. In 1916, William Mellowes introduced the first self contained refrigerator with the compressor at the bottom of the refrigeration

cabinet. In 1922, two Swedish engineering students, Baltzer

von Platen

and Carl Munters invented a gas absorption refrigeration unit and it soon became a worldwide success. Not long after, different companies began mass producing refrigeration units with General Electric as the leader of the pack. By the 1930s, chlorofluorocarbons had replaced the use of more toxic gases like ammonia and sulphur dioxide as the primary coolant in most units until it was later discovered to deplete the earths ozone protective layer. showcaseyourcreation.blogspot.com

ONLINE SOURCES
1) Institute of refrigeration: How does your fridge work? 2) Wikipedia: History of refrigerators 3) Google books: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology by William C Whitman et al.