Bitchkoma
05-23-2008, 02:10 PM
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Yakhchal.jpg/180px-Yakhchal.jpg
From Wiki: Yakhchal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakhchal)A yakh-ch?l (meaning "ice pit") (Persian Language:?????) is an ancient type of refrigerator.
The subterranean domed structure was most often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well.
Ice from nearby mountains was brought in during the cold seasons, and stored there for use during the summer months. This ice was from ancient times used for the making of faloodeh, the traditional Persian frozen dessert.
The subterranean space coupled with the thick heat-resistant construction material kept the outside heat from reaching the interior space year round.
These structures were mainly built and used in Iran. Many remain standing that were built hundreds of years ago.
Okay, that was mildly impressive. Storing things underground where it is cooler isn't really a big deal. But then the Yakchal isn't merely a pit in the ground made from insulating material. No, this thing has active cooling.
Combining a badgir (windcatcher) with a qanat (a kind of aqueduct), the Yakchal can actually remove heat from the storage area, much like today's refrigerators. Except it uses no electricity, gas, fossil fuels or whatever.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Wind-Tower-and-Qanat-Cooling-1.jpg/770px-Wind-Tower-and-Qanat-Cooling-1.jpg
Damn! I'm impressed. This is brilliant! And they figured it all out such a long time ago.
From Wiki: Yakhchal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakhchal)A yakh-ch?l (meaning "ice pit") (Persian Language:?????) is an ancient type of refrigerator.
The subterranean domed structure was most often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well.
Ice from nearby mountains was brought in during the cold seasons, and stored there for use during the summer months. This ice was from ancient times used for the making of faloodeh, the traditional Persian frozen dessert.
The subterranean space coupled with the thick heat-resistant construction material kept the outside heat from reaching the interior space year round.
These structures were mainly built and used in Iran. Many remain standing that were built hundreds of years ago.
Okay, that was mildly impressive. Storing things underground where it is cooler isn't really a big deal. But then the Yakchal isn't merely a pit in the ground made from insulating material. No, this thing has active cooling.
Combining a badgir (windcatcher) with a qanat (a kind of aqueduct), the Yakchal can actually remove heat from the storage area, much like today's refrigerators. Except it uses no electricity, gas, fossil fuels or whatever.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Wind-Tower-and-Qanat-Cooling-1.jpg/770px-Wind-Tower-and-Qanat-Cooling-1.jpg
Damn! I'm impressed. This is brilliant! And they figured it all out such a long time ago.