On Thu, 17 Feb 2005, Harold Hallikainen wrote:

> Along a similar idea, I've always wanted to adapt gas refrigerator
> technology to make a solar powered air conditioner. The hotter it is, the
> better it works! Should be great for Fresno, CA.

There would be this process:

http://homepower.com/files/solarice.pdf

not continuous, but I have references for its use on railway cars 
(bottled gas flame powered for meat and produce refrigeration in 
transit). This is one of those technologies that have been around for a 
*long* time and were partially forgotten. The railway car references are 
from an ancient Marks Handbook (of mech. eng.) and predate WW2 at least.

The homepower article has a single action system, the railcar coolers 
had automatic switchover (two circuits, one was regenerating while the 
other was cooling).

The cycle uses CaCl2 and Ammonia in a closed system (no pumps, no 
compressor, no valves).

By the way, what is the refrigerent in the 'heat pipes' used in laptops 
and power amplifiers etc. Is it a freon or something else ? They seem to 
be under high pressure judging from the heavy duty tube construction. 
References:

http://www.thermacore.com/pdfs/mini.pdf

an example product, for PC cpu cooling:

http://www2.technobabble.com.au/article211.html

This year is said to be the hottest that was ever recorded. I think that 
there will be a lot of interest in solar equipment.

Peter
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