VOL.8, NO. 5
CAROTIN AND VITAMIN A
883
( 3 ) C APPER, "The Alleged Contamination of Carotene hy Vitamin A," Biockmz.
J., 24, 4B-5 (1930). (33) CAPPBR, "Carotene and Vitamin A. The Transformation of Carotene into Vitamin A as Shown by a Study of the Absorption Spectra of Rat-Liver Oils," ibid.. 24,980-2 (1930). (34) GREEN AND MELLANBY, "Carotene and Vitamin A. The Anti-Infective Action of Carotene,"Brit. I. Elcpt. Path., London, 11,Rl-9 (1930).
Refrigeration by Water. Water is the refrigerant in a new type of household refrigerator, and a gas-fired mercury boiler the source of energy. The Stator, which derives its name from the fact that it has no mechanically moving parts, is now announced as mady for the first stages of commercialization. I n principle, the operation of the new refrigerator is relatively simple--mercury is boiled and the resulting mercury vapor a t a temperature of somewhat over 700°F. passes through an aspirator. drawing water vapor from the brine in a cooler with it. The mercury vapor is then cooled and liquefied a t precisely the right point in the system. The entrainment of the water vapor and the condensation of the mercury in the condenser a t this paint produce a vacuum, causing water t o evaporate rapidly; water in evaporating takes up heat, or in other words, produces the desired cooling effect or refrigeration. The Stator is particularly effective because of the fact that water, the refrigerant. takes up more heat per pound in being vaporized than does any other liquid now used. as, for example, sulfur dioxide or ammonia. Hitherto, no one has been able, commercially, t o maintain the low pressure conditions under which water could he used as a refrigerant. Sulfur dioxide is liquefied a t GO pounds per square inch and ammonia a t 165, whereas atmospheric pressure is enough to prevent water hoiling a t room temperatures. Nowhere in the Stator does pressure exceed atmospheric, and the water circulates under very low pressure-less than 5 millimeters of mercury. After passing through the aspirator, the entrapped water vapor rises to an aircooled condenser, and is liquefied and returned to the cooler for re-evaporation, being carried by the weight of the descending column of mercury on its way back t o the boiler. The vacuum in the system is maintained by an ingenious arrangement of mercury columns, which eliminates valves and balances any differences in pressure within the system. Unlike most refrigerators, the operation is continuous, which is an advantage in that the cooler varies only 2 3 T as against 10-15'F in some other machines. This feature permits very rapid freezing of water for makingtce cubes and maintains a more constant temperature in the refrigerator during operation. I t is claimed that the Stator model having approximately i l / ,cu. ft. capacity uses up t o 2000 cu. ft. of gas a month, and produces refrigeration equivalent to about GO pounds of ice per day. The Stator may he an integral part of a refrigerator or may be placed in the basement. The Stator is a homogeneous unit of weldedsteel without glands, packing, or stuffing boxes. I t is practically noiseless, has no mechanically moving parts, operates under a vacuum and is rendered inoperative by any open leak. I t is air-cooled and is said to be economical to manufacture and t o omrate. Substantial interests arc understood to he hacking its development and, if their hopes are realized, a new refrigerator will soon enter the market with many desired objectives in food, store, and possibly even in home Bull. of Arthur D. Litlle, Inc. refrigeration attained.-Ind.
