Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-11
zion was made the subject of sermons, aud
prayers were also offered.
ARTIFICIAL REFRIG GRAFTON.

ARTIFICIAL REFRIGERATION.
Experiments on artificial refrigeration have
been made at the Executive Mansian tonight
upon the most extensive scale. The unsuc-
cessful attempts the past three or four days
not only stimulated the inventive and mechahl-
cal ingenuity to the highest degree, but have
caused steady increase i'll the extent and
magnitude of refrgerating operations. Two
different systems are now at work, one In the
basement near the entrance, and one at the
eastern end of the mansion, the first OF which
is under the superintendency of Jen-
nings, of Baltimore, and Major Howell,
of the United States Geological survey.
IT cools the air by direct contact with Ice.
The second, under the direction of Dorsey;
produces refrigeration by alternate compres-
sion and liberation of air. The apparatus
used in the first system consists: First OF an
immense ice chest, about thirty feet in length
by twenty in width, holding twelve tons of
ice, which is placed IN large blocks on the
racks and open shelves, so SIS to
permit free circulation of air over and
above it. Second, of refrigeratlng
chest, where the air is sifted between chilled
plates covering an area of $500 square teet,
aAd covered with thin felting, which is kept
wet with ice water; and third OF steam blow
er The air is taken from outside the mansion
at the western end and carried first through
an ice box where its temperature is lowered
twenty or thirty degrees, then to refriger-
ating chest where it is cooled to temperature
of about forty degrees. 1t is then forced
up by steam blower into the Pres
ident's room. The capacity of
this apparatus is said to be about 10000
feet of cooled air per hour, and it will change
the whole volume of air in the Presidents
chamber in twelve minutes. The machinery
did not get into effective operation until late
this evening, but before it had been at work
half an hour, DR.. Bliss came down into the
basement and requsted the blower be stopped
for awhile as the night was not a very hot
one and the Presidents room already
quite cool enough. 1t has been
suggested the cooled air supplied by
this machinery may prove too damp for
health and comfort, on account of its having
been chilled by direct contact with naked
ice. Should this prove to be the case, the
air tomorrow will be dried by passing it
over frequently renewed pans of chloride of
calcium. The system which is in experiment
al operation at the east end OF
the Mansion, under direction of MIR. Dorsey,
is compressed air of the system used
in cooling western mines. large stationary
engine which is supplied with steam by three
city fire engines is at work comprising the
air. This air when crowded into a smaller
space gives out a great amount of heat
which is carried away by running water. AS
soon as the air is again set free it becomes
refrigerated by expansion Just in proportion
as it has before been Leated by compression.
Mackey used this system here. 1t has been
for the most part hurriedly improved, and it
is impossible to say whether it will work
successfully or not. Among the most no
ticeable of the smaller and less elaborate
refrigerative machines have been set up to
day.
1t is probable, however, that one or the
other of the two systems first described will be
adopted tomorrow.