Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Condensers and Receivers – Commercial
A “modernization” kit, by Frigidaire for replacing the copper tube, coiled, static air condensers on their Model O refrigeration machine with a forces air, fin and tube, radiator style, high efficiency condenser. Constructed of heavily tinned copper tubing, for use with corrosive, noxious anhydrous SO2, it used heavy steel fins, coated with gloss black enamel, a truly remarkable piece of re-engineering for the “after market” of the 1940′, Frigidaire, 1941.
Technical Significance:
A remarkable snap shot in time, demonstrating manufacturing and engineering practices for operation in the corrosive atmosphere of anhydrous sulphur dioxide, including the use of costly, heavy, tinned, coated copper and an enamelled steel case and fins. The enamelling of fins would represent a significant bow to the issue of corrosion resistance at the cost of lower heat transfer.The streamlined air shroud is an indication of the increasingly engineering sophistication in airflow design, as well as manufacturing methods.
The high gloss sprayed finish is also a significant marker of the times, in contrast to the crude machine black finishes of items 061, 062, and 063, for example. Duco enamels and the spray techniques for applying them industrially was a significant technological advancement of the period.
Industrial Significance:
Of significance also is the commitment of Frigidaire to the continued use of anhydrous Sulphur dioxide well into the 1940’s. It was a period in which much of the industry looked to system upgrades adapting then for use with the new chlorinated hydrocarbon refrigerants, non-corrosive and non-noxious.
