Low price, zero-power fridge invented

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Karnal, June 8 (UNI) A low-cost refrigerator that works without electricity has been developed by director of a local rice export company.

''The fridge, 'Maharani Zero Energy Cool Chamber' uses rice husk ash as the cooling medium and would cater to the needs rural consumers, Chaman Lal Setia Exports Ltd Director Vijay Setia, who developed the Rs 1500 gadget, told mediapersons today.

Mr Setia said he took a cue from Prof Susanta K Roy of New Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute, who had used sand for the evaporative cooling effect.

He said he preferred the rice husk ash as it had the power to absorb water six-times more than its weight as compared to sand, which has zero water-holding power.

The rice ash-based chamber could keep the temperature 10 to 15 degree celsius cooler than the outside temperature and maintain relative humidity, he said.

The 5.5 ft wide, 4 ft deep and 2.25 ft high double-walled chamber could be easily constructed by any unskilled person using bricks.

The space of four inches between the two walls is filled with the rice husk ash and is covered with a shed on the top.

The rice husk ash requires to be watered every 24 hours.

Apart from fruits and vegetables, curd, milk and cooked food can also be stored for about a month's time. ''It could also be used for mushroom cultivation,'' said Mr Setia.

Mr Setia said he wanted to float his fridge as social and charitable project to help farmers across the country.

''About, 30 to 35 per cent of fruits, vegetables and flowers go waste because of sudden ripening due to high temperature and humid conditions resulting in a loss of about Rs one lakh crore per year,'' he said.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh had evinced a keen interest in the newly developed fridge and the State's Director Horticulture was expected here this week to see its working, he said.

UNI XC CS PM1859

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