100 years since first building with AC

[danglerb]

In 1906 the first building with AC was completed, a hospital in Ireland. Wikipedia had some interesting stuff to read about the history of air conditioning. One point I found amusing is what the term "ton" comes from, its the equivalent cooling capacity of 2000 lbs of ice melting over 24 hours.

[re2ell]

Originally posted by danglerb
One point I found amusing is what the term "ton" comes from, its the equivalent cooling capacity of 2000 lbs of ice melting over 24 hours.

A common term that has been used in refrigeration work to define and measuire capacity or refrigeration effect is called a 'ton or ton of refrigeration.' It is the amount of heat absorbed in melting a ton of ice (2000 lb) by the latent heat of fusion (melting) of ice (144 BTU/lb.) Thus

2,000 lb x 144 BTU/lb = 288,000 BTU

in 24 hours or 12,000 BTU per hour. (288,000/24). Therefore, one ton of refrigeration = 12,000 BTU/hr.

[danglerb]

What amuses me is that 150 years ago they actually used ice to cool things, and here we are still using the same units. Maybe we should just be happy heating isn't in units of dung pounds.

[re2ell]

Originally posted by danglerb
What amuses me is that 150 years ago they actually used ice to cool things,

what amuses me even more, that block ice was still being sold in ice machines for refigeration purposes in the late 50's, cost, 50 cents per block. that is the origin of the term 'ice box', no electricity required, just ice.

[Panama]

Evaporate the ice instead of melting it and you'd get 100,000 Btuh per ton. I guess not all tons are equal.