refrigeration

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How did people keep food cold before refrigerators?

Components of a refrigerator. A compressor pressurizes the refrigerant gas, heating it and forcing it through the system. The gas cools and liquefies in the condenser, giving up its heat to the outside air. The liquid's pressure is lowered when it passes through an expansion valve, and there is an associated further drop in temperature. The cold liquid then passes into the evaporator coils, where heat drawn from the warmer refrigerator compartment causes it to vaporize. The gas is then returned to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

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An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.

11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

World map. Continents. Oceans. Mendel thumb ok

Just How Many Oceans Are There?

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.

10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

World Data Locator Map: Australia

Is Australia an Island?

airplane in flight (plane, aircraft, flying)

7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances

Statue of Liberty in front of the skyline of Manhattan, New York City, New York.

Who Was the Woman Behind the Statue of Liberty?

Moonrise over Tucson, Arizona

Why Doesn’t Arizona Observe Daylight Saving Time?

refrigeration: Media

Videos

How did people keep food cold before refrigerators?

How did people keep food cold before refrigerators?

Learn how ice was harvested from the Illinois River system and distributed for home...

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

Components of a refrigerator. A compressor pressurizes the refrigerant gas, heating it and forcing it through the system. The gas cools and liquefies in the condenser, giving up its heat to the outside air. The liquid's pressure is lowered when it passes through an expansion valve, and there is an associated further drop in temperature. The cold liquid then passes into the evaporator coils, where heat drawn from the warmer refrigerator compartment causes it to vaporize. The gas is then returned to the compressor to repeat the cycle.

Components of a refrigerator. A compressor pressurizes the refrigerant gas, heating...

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