Re: cooling towers and zeolite?

[Kurt Rathmann <rath9362@uidaho.edu>]

quote from Pliny Fisk's "Metabolic Planning and Design:"

"Among traditional uses, zeolite was used by some North American Indians
in their sweat lodges...zeolite's high heat storage capacity is based on
its high absorption capacity for moisture and its ability to
duplicate..."hot potato effect."  This describes a reaction in which
moisture within a medium is unable to circulate due to convection thus
extending its heat retention capacity...releases moisture at relatively
low working temps (200-600 degF)...simple solar-based replacement for the
absorption process within the refrigeration cycle and can produce
sub-freezing temps when the medium goes thru the absorption cycle in a
closed loop system after being regenerated during the day using solar
radiation...promising substitute for freon."

Hope this helps - wish I could tell you more.  I was kind of hoping
someone would bale me out from my initial post.  The complete paper quoted
above and a WHOLE lot more has been written by and is available for
purchase from Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, Austin,
Texas. (512) 928-4786 for a catalog/pamphlet.  Mr. Fisk and company have
been researching appropriate technologies as they relate to regional
geo-biological/economic systems for years (since I was seven!?) -
including strawbale.

Kurt Rathmann
Moscow, Idaho 

On Wed, 29 Jan 1997 WDH1%OPS%DCPP@go50.comp.pge.com wrote:

> From: Kurt Rathmann <rath9362@uidaho.edu>
> 
> >Check out Pliny Fisk III's Blueprint Demonstration Farm at Laredo, Texas.
> >The straw bale sheds use updraft and downdraft towers that utilize zeolite
> >(a natural mineral-based refrigerant - maybe someone from Texas knows more
> >about this - Bill?) and solar chimney.  As I recall the towers are located
> >in separate but adjacent sb buildings.  Don't know how well it works - or
> >whether it was even implemented...
> 
> I thought zeolite is the same thing as cat litter, clay with ionic exchange 
> properties. Holds water...? But a refrigerant, tell me more please
> 
> Wes 
> wdh1@pge.com
>