How Does the LP Gas Work for the Refrigerator?

About LP Gas for Appliances

• Propane gas refrigerators require no electricity to operate and are a good solution for food preservation for those who choose to live off the grid. Propane refrigeration has been known about since the 1800s, but units for the consumer have only been available since the 1930s, according to the Dynamx Inc. website. Older types of propane refrigerators may still be in operation today, but newer models offer high efficiency with the same nonelectric function. Some units are supplied with an electrical power unit for use as a backup power source, when necessary.

How LP Gas Refrigerators Work

• The cooling system of LP gas refrigeration has not changed much since its invention. The system uses ammonia, hydrogen and distilled water in a continuous cycle that heats the ammonia-water solution with the propane flame. The ammonia leaves the steam first and rises to a condenser section. The ammonia cools down to a liquid form again and mixes with the hydrogen gas. This mixture causes a chemical reaction that absorbs all the heat surrounding it. This reaction maintains the low temperature inside the unit. The ammonia is then directed to the absorption chamber, where it mixes with water again and then repeats the cycle. This simple system continues to be used where electrical power is unavailable or inconsistent.

Carbon Monoxide and LP Gas Refrigeration

• Carbon monoxide is toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of propane gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning can produce symptoms of headache, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, nausea and unconsciousness. If any of these symptoms are evident, you should shut off the appliance and contact a certified propane appliance technician to clean and repair the refrigerator.

Maintaining an LP Gas Refrigerator

• The burner of propane refrigerators should be cleaned and adjusted yearly. Ensure that adequate ventilation is available in the room where appliances are located, according to the Government of Quebec website. The flame that burns the fuel should be entirely blue. Any yellow in the flame means the unit requires adjusting. Always have a carbon monoxide detector in your home to warn of a buildup of carbon monoxide gas.