(Added more of the purchases to the budget.)
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| Pipe
| July 28, 2008
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Revision as of 16:01, 29 July 2008

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Objective

As part of the Humboldt State University Parras Summer Program, we were given the chance to plan and construct an appropriate technology project of our choosing. As the result of a brainstorm in the beginning of the program, we decided that a solar powered refrigeration system would be well suited for the area. Our overall challenge being that it would not utilize electricity as its energy source.

The possibility of having a refrigeration system "off-grid" is a huge advantage in Northern Mexico (as well as other parts of the world). There are many circumstances where people do not have access to electricity or gas to power a refrigeration system. For this reason people are not able to store food as they would if they had electricity. Another challenge for all of Mexico's residents is that electricity is relatively expensive. There is the possibility that this project will create a system that is actually more affordable than standard refrigeration.

Project Criteria

Here is a table of criteria that, in our minds, define an appropriate technology for the construction of the refrigerator. When we come across a problem or an issue we can look to the table to help us remember what our criteria were in the first place. Not everything is black and white and for this reason sometimes it is easier to look to our model for what the most appropriate answer is for the situation.

Weight (0-10 highest) Value
Buy back time (economically viable) 9
Environmental Impact 9
Safety(for the consumer) 8
Cost(of construction and of final product) 7
Efficiency 7
Simplicity of use 7
Functionality 6
Utilizes local materials 5

Planning

[1]

Grant Writing

We submitted a grant request to The International Journal for Service Learning in Engineering (IJSLE) for the sum of $1000 USD. The grant discussed the learning possibilities of this project as well as the impact it would have on the community. The grant was submitted on July 4th, 2008. Here is a link to our project outline via ServiceBook: http://www.servicebook.org/content/view/287/112?project_id=143

Collection of Materials

The refrigerator.
  • Broken Refrigerator

The refrigerator was the first part of the refrigerator that we sought out. We obtained it from Gerardo Delgado Ayala at his small, home run refrigerator repair shop at Calle Guerrero #13. The refrigerator had the compressor and other electronics removed. We hope to make use of it for the housing for our project.

  • Bamboo

By building the collector out of bamboo, we were able to avoid the wait for welding materials. The bamboo was collected at an orchard in Parras that is owned by a contact we made, Luis Cardeñas. Tools were supplied for us to be able to cut, size, and clean the bamboo. The bamboo was carried from the orchard back to the school so no cost was incurred in transport, although it was a long and heavy walk.

  • Welding Equipment
Antonio Pachicano
42-2-07-82
Jaime Pachicano
42-2-01-46

After waiting and waiting for our contact to get the system together we began to run out of time to use the welder and decided to continue without it. It had also come to our attention upon the last visit that they wanted twice what the original price was as well as, what they said to be a respectable person, to come and rent it. After four meetings this had never been mentioned. We couldn`t wait any longer and were under the impression that we might never see an opportunity to use a welder so we decided to move on and build the system without it. It definatley made construction more difficult but we were rapidly running out of options.

Budget

Projected Budget

Part Quanity Estimated Cost (Dollar) Estimated Total Cost (Dollar)
Refrigerant (Ammonia) 5 Lbs $16 $80
Hydrogen Pressurization 1 $16 16
Tubing (Steel) 50 Feet $3 $150
Reflector Material 20 Square Feet $7 $140
Reflector Housing 1 $60 $60
Used Refrigerator Housing 1 $60 $60
Welding and Soldering work 1 $200 $200
Stop Valves 4 $6 $24
High Pressure Gauges 4 $20 $80
1" Discharge Pipe 2 $5 $10
Pipe Mounts 50 $.50 $25
Housing 1 $60 $60
Interpretive Materials 12 $2 $24
Steel Wool 4 $5 $20
Community Demo Signage 1 $35 $35
Community Demo Food 1 $120 $120
Total $1119

Actual Budget

Part Date Purchased Cost (Peso)
Broken Refrigerator July 13, 2008 $100
Bamboo July 21, 2008 Free
Cord July 21, 2008 $24
Plywood July 23, 2008 $215
Tin Foil July 28, 2008 $19.80
Glue July 28, 2008 $30
Pipe July 28, 2008 $

Construction

Testing

Problems

Problem X

Solutions

Solution X

Implementation

See Also

References

  1. Klein, S. Reindl, D: "Solar Refrigeration", page S29. ASHRAE Journal. 2005.

External Links

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