The Republican journal., 1883-08-23
Refrigeration Without Ice.
HOW MIR. WORRALL, OF HALIFAX, PROPOSES
TO ASTONISH THE LONDONERS.

HOW MIR. WORRALL, OF HALIfAX, PROPOSES
TO ASTONISH THE LONDONERS.
Any one who has been on the north side of
L wharf within the past few days must have
observed the unusual amount of commotion on
board of the brig Birdie, lying at that dock.
Some sort of an engine, concealed in little
house, built about the fOremast. was vigorous
ly at work, and now and then supertiuouS
steam would be let off with deafening uproar.
Carpenters and mechanics were rushing about
with hammers and Wrenches in their hands,
driving something here and tightening valve
there. On top of the forward house was Il
long, black cylinder, that had a somewhat bel
ligerent aspect. The speculations of the re-
porter as to whether this might not be some
pratical craft in disguise, securing necessary
repairs preparatory to a cruise upon the high
seas, were interrupted by the introduction of
Mr.. H. +. Worrall, of Halifax, pleasant-man-
nered gentleman. who bore pot the remotest
resemblance to Capt Kidd. Mr.. Worrall PROV
ed to be the individual under whose directions
the peculiar work on board of the Birdie was
progressing.
Jump aboard and will explain our idea to
you," he said. ''This engine and condenser,
these pumps and all those pipes and valves are
the apparatus of patent refrigeratng process.
to which l have given much attention, and
which. believe, is now perfected. have faith
that It will completely revolutionizc the busi-
ness Of transporting perishabe articles within
this country and to and from all foreign ports.
/ propose TO give special attention to its adop-
ton on shpboard.'
Are you at liberty to explain the prncipe:''
ION, yes! 1t is very simple, but we are thor
oughly protected by patents in the United
States, England, Spain and other European
countries. may state that heretofore we have
avoided any publicity, as we own the whole
thing ourselves, and there is no interest for
sale: The principle on which the inventor, Mr..
Reuben A. Meservey, has proceeded is the well
recognized one that rapid evaporation. or the
passing froma liquid to a gaseous state. absorbs
much heat, and accordingly produces Il lower
temperature. That black cylinder on top of
the house is a carboy of compressed anhydrous
ammonia. A cubic inch of that liquid, when
fully expanded, will occupy 900 inches Of space
and will absorb vast amount of heat Now. if
you will step into the hold moment | will
show you our arrangement between decks
Inc hold OF the brig was found to be divided
INTO four compartments, approximately air.
tlght. The mldShlD PARTITION was formed bv
coils Of pipe imbedded in metallic tanks filled
with mineral salt and connecting with the en-
gine room
by means of these pumps and valves" said
Mr.. WOrrall, returning to the deck, 1--WE force
the ammonia into the tubes below, and there it
expands. We are just getting ready for sea
now. so you can't very well see the whole
process. But here in the engine house is Il
tube with some expanded ammonia in it which
will give you an idea of how it works."
The thermometer in the engine house marked
the temperature there as III deg. but the pipe
referred to was thickly coated with frost and
ice. Some of it was scraped off with a pen-
knife, but 1t quickly reformed. The object of
the sal! about the coils of pipe below is to pre-
vent the formation of the frost, as otherwise
the temperature could not be kept below 81
deg. with the present arrangement, it is
aVerred that the metallic boxes can be cooled to
any degree above zero. This being done, IL
circulation of the air is promoted and an even,
tln An Il
continually being pumped out by the engine.
condensed on deck and again expanded as
before. According to the testimony of a large
number of produce dealers. the apparatus has
been shown to do all that is claimed for it on
shore. Mr. Worrall is especially desirous of
demonstrating that the invention will work as
well on shipboard as on land.
This Is only an experimental trip of mine. "
said be- Il am going to the straits of Belle
Isle. \. f., and shall there secure compart-
ment full of fresh. large Holsters. These the
vessel will take direct to London. Taking pas
sage in the steamer, will meet her there. f
the lobsters arrive in good condition, as they
undoubtedly Will. shall make use of Il letter Of
introduction given me by Col. Wright, and
present portion of them to the manager of
the international Fishery exposition. Fresh
HOLSTERS, brought from America without ice,
Wlll | think. rather ast0nish some of the
LOndouers.
In what respect do you consider this re-
frigerating system preferable to ice:"
"Oh, it is much cheaper; it will preserve
fruit, vegetables, meat. fish or any pershablc
edibles in much better condition; and, as ice
occupies two-tifths of the space and this only
one-tenth, it will save much room. 1t is de-
signed, believe, to bring about great change
in the transportation business. 1t will take
fresh meat from Texas to London. tntainted
by any chemicals; it will supply the European
markets with fresh cod and shellf>h from this
side of the water. and it will place fruit pIurk-
ed ripe i'll the tropics, upon Boston dinner
tables
The Birdie has since sailed for the straits of
Belle Isle. Boston Sunday Herald