http://lionheart.net/fridge/descript.

htm The idea of using an open flame or concentrated solar heat to make ice or to cool an insulated box is not new, but little information is available on how to actually accomplish this feat. Prior to the availability of cheap electricity, many of these small ammonia based "Icy Ball" refrigeration units could be found in homes in the nited !tates. "ver the last #$ years several experimental units have been constructed for the purpose of laboratory testing. These units were custom made by the experimenters and could not be easily replicated. %ow for the first time simple plans are available which will allow a moderately skilled handyman to construct a practical, low cost, portable absorption refrigeration unit.

HOW IT WORKS
These units use li&uid anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant. The pure anhydrous ammonia is mixed with water. 'eat is then applied to the ammonia solution that has been contained in a pressure vessel. The heat drives off the ammonia which then condenses in another pressure vessel. The entire apparatus is then allowed to cool down. !ince pure li&uid ammonia boils at ()* +, the ammonia starts to boil absorbing heat out of the condenser vessel. The condenser vessel then free,es at temperatures below $ +. This causes a ball of ice to form around the vessel if it is submerged in water. If the condenser vessel is placed in an insulated box, the temperature in the box will drop drastically depending on the amount of insulation. This may seem hard to understand, but it is the same principle as a compressed(gas keyboard duster can becoming cold during heavy use. It needs to be emphasized that ammonia gas is extremely toxic and fammable. One deep breath of pure ammonia gas ill KI!! a human being. If you are not a mechanically inclined person ho pays close attention to details" do not attempt to build one of these units. If built with &uality materials and used with the proper precautions this unit can be safely operated since it is designed to contain the gas within the unit. The system which can be constructed from these plans will produce - to . lb. of ice after being heated on a small propane or gas stove for about /$ min. 0ny heat source which will result in a final generator temperature of )-- + may be used The condenser vessel is submerged in room temperature water during the generation process. 0fter the generation process is complete, the generator vessel is cooled off in the same water. This produces about ) gal. of boiling hot water suitable for other uses. 0 small valve is then closed which causes the li&uid ammonia in the condenser vessel to start to boil off and be absorbed back into the water in the generator vessel as the refrigeration process begins. 0 "ball" of ice can be harvested in about 1 hr. if the condenser vessel is submerged in cool water. 0dditional hot water can also be obtained by further cooling of the generator vessel.

HOW IT IS #$I!T
The refrigerant solution is a mixture of distilled water and li&uid anhydrous ammonia. 0lthough anhydrous ammonia is not illegal to possess in a closed refrigeration system, it is sometimes difficult to obtain. In some states 2especially in the 3idwest4 laws have 1

http://lionheart.net/fridge/descript.htm recently been passed restricting the transfer of anhydrous ammonia due to its use in the manufacture of crystal meth. Be sure to check the situation in your state before you attempt to build one of these units5 6ompanies that service commercial air conditioners and refrigeration systems usually have stockpiles of ammonia. 0lso municipal maintenance facilities have access to li&uid anhydrous ammonia. 0nhydrous ammonia must be stored in large metal cylinders under pressure. !o to receive it, you must have a pressure vessel such as an 77 lb. propane tank ready to go. !howing these folks who service these commercial cooling units the plans or the absorption refrigerator unit that you have constructed usually gets them to give or sell you the . lb. of ammonia that you need. 0s a last resort, you might try someone who repairs camper refrigerators. These people rarely give anything away. The generator vessel for this system is an 77lb. propane tank in new or excellent condition. The condenser vessel is a - lb. 6") fire extinguisher bottle. 0 stainless steel 2!!4 charging valve, a !! shut(off valve, and a !! pressure relief valve also need to be obtained. The same people that have the ammonia usually have the valves also. !ome commercial machine shops also might be able to order these valves. One ord of caution here. 8on9t scrimp on the vessels and the valves. :ou cannot use the brass valves available in building supply stores. Pressures of up to )-$ lb. will be produced within the system. %R&O' (O'T)I'&RS *$ST 'OT #& $S&+ $'+&R )', (IR($*ST)'(&S. !ince even small &uantities of ammonia gas can be lethal, the entire system must be absolutely gas tight. 0ll testing, charging and bleeding must be done outside in the open air. 8efective or corroded components must not be used. ;hen completed, the fully charged system weighs about 1. lb. !maller and lighter systems can be built by scaling down the si,es of the various components. The total cost of the system will depend on your scrounging abilities and the local availability of the various components. The unit shown in the photograph cost the author about < 7$$.$$ to build. If you end up buying all the components new, you could spend about < )-$.$$. =i&uid ammonia costs about < ).$$>lb. The )?@ ammonia available in Aanitorial supply stores can be used to test the unit but it is not concentrated enough to produce ice. "nce the system has been completed and charged, the only additional expense to produce ice will be the cost of fuel used to heat the unit and the plastic bags for the ice. 8etailed plans and operating instructions may be purchased for <7-.$$ !.

http://lionheart.net/fridge/descript.htm

+etailed plans and operating instructions may be purchased for -./.00 $S. +o nload the plans H&R& 0ll material in this site is copyrighted and protected by ! and international law. nauthori,ed duplication or reproduction is expressely prohibited. 2c4 7/// =ionheart Technical !ervices