I would like to build my own fridge that uses ammonia as the refrigerant and would be heated by a small wood fire. I have looked a few refrigeration textbooks and the lead me to believe such a system is relatively simple compared to continuous absorption systems.


How do I calculate the amount of water/refrigerant needed as well as the btus needed to boil out the ammonia?

Where does one obtain the ammonia? According to the book I have I need distilled water and a mixing tank plus some rust inhibitor. Does this stuff come premixed?

I understand that because of the corrosive nature of ammonia the system must be made from steel. What psi should I pressure test the system to?

Am I crazy to even attempt this?


thanks