Just a general phase change chat

[Teebor]

I've recently discovered somewhere local to me that will sell fridges really cheap, I'm talking going home with change from a £20 here.

So I got to thinking is it possible to strip the component parts out of a fridge / freezer and use them to custom build a phase change system.

The way I see it the parts that can be salvaged would be :-

Pump
Condensor
Some capillary tubing
Some copper tubing
another bit that I can't remember the name of (Drier I think)


Which would effectively just leave the requirements of :-

Gas
Probably mineral oil
More capillary tube
More copper tube
Rad
CPU block (some guys over at bit-tech I think can be contacted to build these, I can already source the copper at dirt cheap prices)
Insulation


So, bearing in mind that this is a "what if" discussion, how realistic is the construction possibilties from a fridge to a phase cooling system?

If it turns out feasibly cheap (and I make a small lottery win) I might do it sometime in the future, but I have no plan to do it immediately thats for sure.

[TREE]

wow that would be a hell of a project to take on if you did... im not sure about using a fridge but you should have a look at this bud


link! (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/minifridge-case-mod-166541.php)

and this

overclockers.com guide (http://www.overclockers.com/tips1238/)

[sunnyg]

My chemistry teacher told me that doing anything than other putting beer in a fridge is HIGHLY DANGEROUS. the liquid inside the fridge dangerouse and illigel. thats probably why you can get it cheap, becuase u have to pay the council to get rid of fridges.

[Highland3r]

2 words
Don't Bother

[Teebor]

Thats not so much the case anymore, the gasses used, used to have to be disposed of correctly but newer fridge (although needing to be disposed of correctly) is somewhat safer and better for the environment

Oh cmon Highland3r it just a theoretical discussion about whether or not it could be done, or what would be involved.

If you think we shouldn't bother at least put forward a case stating why

[Highland3r]

Venting the gases into the air is illegal.
Venting the gases that'd be best to re-charge it with = illegal (though spose you could use propane...)
You'd need a vaccum pump, need to be pretty decent at brazing. The only bit you'd probably be able to reuse (without killing temps) would be the compressor and maybe condensor.
You *might* be able to get a head made on bit, otherwise something like an old mach/vapo head would be ok.
It's possible to do, you'd need to know the actual theory around phase, how it works etc... You also have to consider the dangers of the gases involved....
Not saying its impossible, BUT there's a LOT more work and understanding in it than just "lets get the bits and go build phase"...

[sunnyg]

why not spend the £20 on a mini fridge like the other guy. this way you can displamtle the case and use the stuff inside without having to taper with any of the illegal stuff because it will be able the same size.

Can you put a computer is a frost free freezer? say just the mobo and bits the get hot.

[wakster]

IIRC mini fridges use TEC's, and there was a thread on bit about this recently...

[Teebor]

OK, so I work somewhere that has access to equipment designed for safe bleeding of air conditioning units, and the regassing and leak detection equipment is all to hand.

I know a couple of professional plumbers (one of which is into computers and ran his computer company so he would more than be up for it)

Phase change as a concept is remarkably easy, its combining the correct parts that makes it more difficult.

technically its just the head that is the hardest part. But what goes into making a head?

[Highland3r]

OK, so I work somewhere that has access to equipment designed for safe bleeding of air conditioning units, and the regassing and leak detection equipment is all to hand.

I know a couple of professional plumbers (one of which is into computers and ran his computer company so he would more than be up for it)

Phase change as a concept is remarkably easy, its combining the correct parts that makes it more difficult.

technically its just the head that is the hardest part. But what goes into making a head?

Well, if you think you can do it then by all means have a go...
Just please please please think of your own saftey when vaccing/regassing/de-gassing the unit...

btw, make sure the plumber doesnt use soft solder when he brazes... Its ok for sealing water pipes etc, but if your running 50(100?) PSI on the high side of the unit....

Sure you've got it all in hand though :)

[sunnyg]

if you get poisoned can i have your wallet?

[Teebor]

You can have my shoes :D

Cheers for the feedback Higland3r, as I said earlier this is really a "what if" discussion. Its not something that I am taking lightly (and who knows I may try building it but more than likely probably not)

I had identified that the gas and the actual compressor were going to be the hardest / most expensive things to obtain and work with.

Looking into it a bit furthur I may only be able to get my hands on R22 readily (and possibly without cost if I twist a few arms) so with that in mind it really is the matching of the compressor to the gas, and that could be pot luck if salvaging a fridge/freezer

I was lucky enough to be present at an accidental uncontrolled leakage once, they were looking for leaks but didn't find one so they regassed and it basically ruptured. It was quite funny in an OMG kind of way :D

Those links are quite cool, I like the modified fridge case :) looks great and is certainly a talking point at LAN's :D

[sunnyg]

i just thought of something while i was at work. you can get those water holder things for offices which have a large clear tank on top of a plyth. and then you put your cup underneath and press and you get water. well on some of those it chills the water. i wander how much it would be to get that part, or just get the water holder? i'm sure you could transplant the cooling part into a rig?

[DR_D]

once again, my small little water cooler uses TEC's