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Chemistry / How do methyl formate antique refrigerators work?
« on: 13/08/2013 17:37:49 »
Hello,
I am part of very small group of people who are into collecting and restoring historic monitor top refrigerators. These units use either sulfur dioxide or methyl formate as a refrigerant depending on the year and model. The methyl formate units were only produced for two years (1933-34) and have some problems which we are trying to understand.
According to patents we found it appears the methyl formate breaks down when moisture is present. It also seems they were concerned about it breaking down due to high temperatures inside the compressor. Some of these units have been running for 80 years without a complaint while many have problems.
Is there anyone on here who may be able to help us understand what may be going on and possible things we can do to avoid it?
I can post many more details but want to see if anyone can help before proceeding. It has been near impossible to find anyone who has any knowledge of methyl formate in general much less it being used as a refrigerant.
Thank you for your time.
Chris J
I am part of very small group of people who are into collecting and restoring historic monitor top refrigerators. These units use either sulfur dioxide or methyl formate as a refrigerant depending on the year and model. The methyl formate units were only produced for two years (1933-34) and have some problems which we are trying to understand.
According to patents we found it appears the methyl formate breaks down when moisture is present. It also seems they were concerned about it breaking down due to high temperatures inside the compressor. Some of these units have been running for 80 years without a complaint while many have problems.
Is there anyone on here who may be able to help us understand what may be going on and possible things we can do to avoid it?
I can post many more details but want to see if anyone can help before proceeding. It has been near impossible to find anyone who has any knowledge of methyl formate in general much less it being used as a refrigerant.
Thank you for your time.
Chris J