How does a propane powered cool box cool down? Isn’t the act of burning gas creating heat?!
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The system uses two coolants, the first of which performs evaporative cooling and is then absorbed into the second coolant; heat is needed to reset the two coolants to their initial states.
The sealed system of a propane-powered fridge holds water, liquid ammonia, and hydrogen gas. A propane flame heats the water and ammonia to its boiling point in what is called the generator. The now-gaseous material then rises into a condensing chamber where it cools and returns to a liquid state. This fluid then flows into another chamber – the evaporator – where it mixes with hydrogen gas. It’s here that a chemical reaction occurs that pulls, or absorbs, heat from inside the refrigerator. Once the solution absorbs enough heat, the ammonia returns to a gaseous state, starting the process over again. This self-contained system doesn’t rely on mechanical, or moving parts, meaning these units remain reliable for years.
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