Do-it-yourself refrigerator frost repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of a frost refrigerator from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

What is an Absorption (Ammonia) Refrigerator?

Absorption-type refrigerators got their name from the absorption process taking place in them, i.e. absorption by a liquid or solid scavenger of refrigerant vapors generated in the evaporator. The refrigerant is ammonia. Ammonia vapors are absorbed by water with the formation of a water-ammonia solution.

A feature of absorption-type refrigerators is their quiet operation, the absence of shut-off valves and moving parts, which increases its durability.

However, in comparison with compression refrigerators, absorption refrigerators have a number of disadvantages. Since the heater is constantly or cyclically connected to the power grid, the operation of an absorption electric refrigerator is more expensive than a compression one, which is connected to the network periodically.

The performance of absorption refrigerators is much lower than compression refrigerators, the process of cooling and obtaining a low (minus) temperature in absorption refrigerators is much slower and the temperature reached is much longer than in compression refrigerators.

Device and principle of operation

The absorption-diffusion refrigeration unit is made of seamless gas-welded pipes. The main components of the unit:

  • generator - production of ammonia vapor and the rise of a weak solution to the height of the discharge into the absorber;
  • capacitor - condensation of ammonia vapors;
  • evaporator - evaporation of liquid ammonia with the formation of cold;
  • absorber - absorption of ammonia vapor by ammonia-water solution (absorption process);
  • electric heater - heating the ammonia-water solution in the generator.
Video (click to play).

Principle of operation refrigeration unit of the absorption type is as follows. The concentrated solution is constantly heated in the boiler 1 (Fig. 1.) to the boiling point by some heat source (electric, gas, etc.).

Rice. 1. Diagram of an absorption-type refrigeration unit:

1 - boiler: 2 - reflux condenser: 3 - condenser: 4 - evaporator; 5 - absorber

The circulation of the solution and the refrigerant is carried out continuously, while the boiler and the thermal pump, heated by the same heat source, are operating. Thus, in a continuous-action absorption refrigeration unit, the role of the suction part of the mechanical compressor is performed by the absorber, and the discharge part by the thermal pump.

What to do if the absorption (ammonia) refrigerator has stopped freezing?

It is recommended to check and repair the refrigerator in the following order.

4. The biggest problem that can happen to a refrigerator is a malfunction of the refrigeration unit. There are several options, ammonia leakage, or tube blockage. If the problem is a blockage, there is a popular method - you need to disconnect the refrigerator from the network, turn the refrigerator upside down. Leave in this position for a week. Periodically shaking the refrigerator and tapping the visible pipes of the refrigeration unit with a piece of wood. It is necessary to observe precautions in this case, since a sudden depressurization of the system is fraught with chemical damage to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. If there is a leak, the ammonia leak is detected by a light yellow spot formed at the leak, and by the smell of ammonia.Due to the fact that your refrigerator is filled with ammonia, the repair of its refrigeration unit is carried out only at the factory! This is due to the fact that work with ammonia must be carried out in special conditions using specialized equipment. Home repairs are not performed.

A fairly long history of the development of refrigeration technology is marked by the emergence of various types of household refrigerators. Among the existing designs, you can find a household absorption apparatus - a gas refrigerator.

Gas refrigerator models are made both stationary and mobile. Their relatively simple design does not exclude the possibility of creating a device with your own hands.

The absorption principle of operation is the basis of refrigeration technology that could run on propane.

Considering the gas refrigerator and the principle of its operation, it should be emphasized: in an absorption refrigerator, propane is assigned a modest function of a gas-heater. The main components of the absorption process in the construction of household refrigerators are usually ammonia and water.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

Ammonia acts as a refrigerant and water acts as an absorbent. The simplified gas model contains the following technological modules:

  1. Gas heating module.
  2. Generator (more precisely, a boiler).
  3. Capacitor.
  4. Absorber (absorber).
  5. Evaporator.

The gas heater heats the contents of the generator. The generator module is designed to produce vaporous ammonia and supply a weak ammonia solution to the absorber area. The condensing module is used to cool the ammonia vapors to the condensing temperature. And the module called "absorber" acts as an absorber of ammonia. The evaporator of the gas refrigerator serves as a cold generator.

The technological cooling cycle begins with heating a concentrated ammonia water solution with a gas burner. Due to the lower boiling point of ammonia, this substance boils faster than water. The process of formation of concentrated refrigerant vapors begins, which enters the condenser.

Here, the ammonia vapor is condensed, and already liquid ammonia rushes to the evaporator, where, due to the removal of heat from the products, it boils, forming a vapor-liquid mixture.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

The scheme of the absorption refrigerator also provides for the operation of the device, which is called the "dephlegmator". This module is installed at the outlet of the boiler and is designed to obtain a weak ammoniacal solution in the process of partial condensation of saturated vapors. This weak solution is collected in the absorber. Saturated vapor-liquid ammonia mixture from the evaporator is directed there, where it is absorbed. Then the cycle is repeated.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

Most household absorption refrigerators are equipped with electric heaters. For example, from such models one can mention refrigerators "Sadko", "Morozko" and others.

But the electric heater can be replaced with any other heat source, including a propane burner, a heating radiator, and even chimney smoke. Therefore, the noted models of absorption technology are theoretically quite acceptable to use for creating a gas refrigerator with your own hands, operating in a constant mode.

A relatively simple method of manufacturing a gas refrigerator, as already noted, seems to be the use of an absorption apparatus that has worked out its life. To bring to the "mind" the same model of "Sadko" or "Morozko", it is enough to exclude from the design the electric heaters installed in the system.

Instead of dismantled heating elements, it will be necessary to introduce gas heating by installing a heat exchanger and a propane burner in the structure.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

The model of the absorption refrigerator "Morozko" of the fourth release of the ASh-30 series is suitable for creating a mobile device.The dimensions of the case of this design are 450 x 400 x 405 mm, the weight is no more than 15 kg.

The temperature of the freezer when the structure is operating at full capacity may well reach 10-12 degrees with a minus sign. It is not for nothing that the idea was born among the craftsmen-designers to remake the electric heating, replacing it with a propane heating pad.

However, the venture with a gas refrigerator is dubious, and there are a number of reasons to support this. Thus, the absorption process requires almost twice as long to generate cold as a conventional compression refrigerator.

From the point of view of economy, the design does not seem entirely rational, given how much gas will be required to obtain 1 ° C of subzero temperature for a homemade option. Nevertheless, the design interest in the possibility of implementing the idea is quite high.

Read also:  DIY pvc boat seam repair

The electric heating elements of the Sadko refrigerator are located on the siphon tube. This structural element (siphon) is located at the bottom of the rear wall of the apparatus. The siphon area is covered with a metal casing, under which there is a layer of heat insulator (mineral wool).

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

Initially, the amateur constructor will need to do the following:

  1. Place the refrigerator in a place convenient for work.
  2. Remove the protective cover on the rear wall.
  3. Remove thermal insulation material.
  4. Remove the heating elements from the siphon tube.

It should be borne in mind that doing it yourself here is fraught with some risk. The absorption refrigerator system is filled with ammonia and hydrogen under a pressure of up to 2 atm. Careless dismantling of system parts and electric heaters can lead to a depressurization of the system, which is hazardous to health. Care must be taken.

The next step for the hobbyist is to install a propane-fueled heating system. That is, it is necessary to mount a module in the area of ​​the siphon tube, which would be heated as a result of gas combustion. It is not permissible to heat the tube with an open flame.

This means that you need to make a heat exchanger. This can be, for example, a massive bar of copper, inside which a gas burner is built.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

The manufacture of a gas heating system without fail provides for the organization of an overheating protection complex. The working temperature range for heating the siphon of the "Sadko" refrigerator is 50 - 175 ° С. Based on these values, you should consider the scheme for turning on and off the gas supply during heating.

For the circuit with electric heaters in absorption refrigerators, a T-120 thermostat is used. But this device regulates the operation of the heaters taking into account the temperature of the evaporator.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

A gas burner together with an automatic control device is a slightly different system. If a propane refrigerator is made taking into account long-term use, the automation will have to be made full. That is, for example, to control not only the heating temperature of the heat exchanger, but also to monitor the flame and monitor the gas pressure. We must not forget about the fuse system.

It was not possible to find examples of home-made designs of gas absorption refrigerators that would be marked by long-term operation. There are only experimental options, often started, but not brought to completion. There are also examples of assembly when the gas refrigerator was assembled by hand using a simplified method.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

With a simplified version of the assembly, a propane cylinder was used, the outlet of which was connected with a hose directly to a direct-acting burner. The burner was fixed to the chassis of the absorption refrigerator, and the working nozzle was directed directly to the siphon tube. The burner was ignited manually. Also, without any automation, purely by the "test by touch" method, the siphon heating temperature was controlled.

The results are disappointing.During the operation of the manual heating gas installation for 12 hours inside the freezer, the maximum temperature of the lower threshold was obtained - not lower than plus 3 degrees.

Thus, tests of an absorption refrigerator on propane, made by hand according to a simplified scheme, showed an extremely low efficiency of the gas apparatus. Moreover, judging by the gas consumption, this option for obtaining cold ("Sadko-G") is unreasonably expensive.

The meaning of assembling a gas structure is also lost because there are practically no old factory structures of this kind in everyday use. Gas refrigeration equipment with an absorber (Russian production) is basically an industrial installation, large, heavy, equipped with sophisticated gas equipment.

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

Therefore, an alternative for home-made gas refrigeration equipment is considered more attractive. These are modern mobile compact cooling systems from a series of thermal containers and similar developments. Any of these systems covers the need for cold, which burdens nature enthusiasts.

The price for the devices is quite reasonable. Most likely, the purchase of, say, a Comfort brand refrigerator will cost several times less than the cost of modernizing the old absorption system.

At the same time, in terms of technical characteristics, modern compact refrigeration equipment is practically comparable to the same parameters of Sadko. And the temperature range looks more attractive (up to -18 ° C).

Image - Do-it-yourself repair of the frost refrigerator

Finally, there is an opportunity to buy an imported industrial refrigerator operating on propane. A good example is the universal apparatus of the German manufacturer, produced under the brand name "Waeco-Dometic Combicool".

The design of the mobile refrigerator ensures that cold is obtained when operating from one of three energy sources, including from a gas cylinder.

Advantages and disadvantages of a mobile refrigerator that can run on both electricity and gas:

A short video review of a Dometik car refrigerator: