We need to rethink what block ice is, it could be your rescue
I hope this post finds you well.
In the summer of 2003, the temperature reached 110°F when an extreme heat wave descended on France. When it was over, 15,000 people lost their lives. Most that succumbed were old. This doesn’t happen in America because 90% have air conditioning, while in France only 5% have it. The ancient buildings weren’t designed with air conditioning in mind, they just didn’t need it back then.
I recommend block ice for extreme heat waves, especially when the power goes out. It can be chopped into small pieces and swallowed to cool from the inside out and rubbed on the face and neck.
Think of block ice as a battery. It takes energy to lower the water temperature to below freezing point, to turn it into a solid (cool battery). Releasing the energy in the ice, or transforming it from a solid to a liquid, is as simple as placing it into an environment that is warmer than the freezing point. This is when the ice starts to melt then evaporate, cooling the air around it. It’s a cool battery.
It is the evaporation process that is doing the work to cool it’s surrounding environment. It took energy to freeze the water to a solid, and that energy is released when it goes back to a liquid and then a gas.
With underground facilities, for cost effective storage, block ice would go a long way to helping mitigate high heat situations, especially when there’s no power. The homeless, tourist and emergency services, fire, police and government services would also benefit.
So, let’s not forget about block Ice. Besides, there is nothing like an iced tea drink in a heat wave.
Young women delivering ice, 1918
What to do in a Heatwave? Techniques I Learned from the Web:
These are some steps you can take to find relief when the temperatures climb to uncomfortable levels.
- Stay out from the sun from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This is the hottest part of the day. Also, the keeping the sun UV rays off you helps too.
- Drink plenty of liquids. If it’s very humid avoid hot liquids, but cold liquids can be consumed in dry or humid conditions. Also, limit your alcohol consumption. One beer is OK.
- Lettuce, strawberries and watermelon’s keep you hydrated and this is interesting, spicy food can make you sweat. Who says you can’t have fun in a high heat situation.
- No snacks at night.
- The color of the clothing does not matter; however, you should use clothing with minimal heat absorption. Some dyes absorb heat from the infrared rays of the sun. Also, loosely fitting to allow air circulation and ventilation.
- If it’s hotter outside, close your windows and close your curtains.
- Use water evaporation to your advantage. Take a swim and don’t towel off. Drape a wet linen, and place bowls of water around the room, while a fan moves air over it.
- Do not use fans on the body when temperatures are above 35C (95F), may cause dehydration.
- Use low energy consumption air conditioning.
- While sleeping use thin bed sheets. While a fan moves air over the sheets, enhancing the evaporation, the sheets cool down.
Estimated Cost and Energy:
1 cubic foot of water weighs 57 lbs.
1 cubic foot is 7.480519 gallons
1000 gallons of water cost $3.00 in Arizona, U.S.A.
So, the cost of 1 cubic foot of water at a rate of $3.00 per 1000 gallons is approximately $0.0224.
Freezing 1 cubic foot of water takes 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of energy
So, at a rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour, the cost for 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of electricity would be approximately $0.48342.
It would require approximately 0.593 kilowatt-hours of energy to keep 1 cubic foot of water frozen, assuming a typical modern refrigerator running for 8 hours per day and maintaining a freezer temperature of 0°F(-18°C). Or 0.593 kilowatt-hours a day X 365 days is 216.445 kilowatt-hours. At $0.20 per kilowatt-hour totals to $43.30 per year.
Say, the water cost $0.0224 plus it’s $1.00 to freeze (produce) and $1.00 to transport and $43.30 per year maintain that’s $45.00 per cubic foot, per year.
Let’s say a block of ice can keep a family of four cool for 1 day. At 30 days X $45.00 is $1350.00, which is almost 3 times the cost for AC. Maybe it’s worth it.
From a systems perspective, the energy put into the water is 2.4 kilowatt for one hour. This transforms the water into a solid, ice. So, to melt and evaporate ice in a room would provide ~2.4 kw of cooling energy in the room. In a dry environment this is great because it provides needed humidity to the air for our lungs. Ancient civilizations used evaporative cooling for their large buildings.
For emergency situations; where an air conditioner is not available, or the power is out, for the homeless, emergency services organizations, fire, police, ice is the next best thing since sliced bread.
ChatGPT discussion:
How much does a 12-inch side block of ice weigh?
ChatGPT returns;
The weight of a block of ice can vary depending on factors such as its density, purity, and temperature. However, a commonly used estimate for the density of ice is about 0.92 grams per cubic centimeter.
To find the weight of a block of ice with dimensions of 12 inches (or 30.48 centimeters) on each side, we first need to calculate its volume:
Volume = Length × Width × Height = 30.48 cm × 30.48 cm × 30.48 cm ≈ 27909.82 cubic centimeters
Now, to find the weight, we can use the density:
Weight = Volume × Density = 27909.82 cubic centimeters × 0.92 grams/cubic centimeter ≈ 25700.59 grams
Converting grams to pounds (1 pound ≈ 453.592 grams):
Weight ≈ 25700.59 grams ÷ 453.592 grams/pound ≈ 56.64 pounds
So, a block of ice with sides measuring 12 inches each would weigh approximately 56.64 pounds.
How much energy does it take to freeze a block (cube) of ice, 12 inches on a side?
ChatGPT returns:
To calculate the energy required to freeze a block of ice, we need to consider the heat transfer involved in changing the temperature of water to ice. The energy required for this process is known as the latent heat of fusion.
The latent heat of fusion for water is approximately 334 joules per gram. First, let’s calculate the mass of the ice cube:
Volume = Length × Width × Height = 12 inches × 12 inches × 12 inches = 1728 cubic inches
Converting cubic inches to liters (1 cubic inch ≈ 0.0163871 liters):
Volume ≈ 1728 cubic inches × 0.0163871 liters/cubic inch ≈ 28.317 liters
The density of ice is approximately 0.92 grams per cubic centimeter. So, the mass of the ice cube is:
Mass = Volume × Density ≈ 28.317 liters × 0.92 grams/cubic centimeter ≈ 26.05 kilograms
Now, to find the energy required to freeze the ice cube, we use the latent heat of fusion:
Energy = Mass × Latent Heat of Fusion ≈ 26.05 kilograms × 334,000 joules/kilogram ≈ 8,701,700 joules
So, it would take approximately 8,701,700 joules of energy to freeze a block of ice with sides measuring 12 inches each.
How about in kilowatt-hours?
ChatGPT returns;
To convert the energy from joules to kilowatt-hours (kWh), we can use the conversion factor:
1 kilowatt-hour = 3.6 × 10^6 joules
So, to convert 8,701,700 joules to kilowatt-hours:
Energy (kWh) = Energy (joules) / (3.6 × 10^6)
Energy (kWh) = 8,701,700 joules / (3.6 × 10^6)
Energy (kWh) ≈ 2.4171 kWh
Therefore, it would take approximately 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of energy to freeze a block of ice with sides measuring 12 inches each.
What is cost of commercial electricity per kilowatt-hour?
ChatGPT returns;
The cost of commercial electricity per kilowatt-hour varies significantly depending on factors such as location, time of use, energy provider, and specific contractual agreements. As of my last update in January 2022, the average commercial electricity rate in the United States ranged from about $0.08 to $0.20 per kilowatt-hour.
However, it’s essential to check with local utility companies or energy providers for the most accurate and up-to-date rates, as prices can change over time and vary by region.
How much for 2.4171 kilowatt-hour?
ChatGPT returns;
To calculate the cost of 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of electricity, you need to multiply the number of kilowatt-hours by the cost per kilowatt-hour.
Let’s assume a hypothetical cost of $0.12 per kilowatt-hour:
Cost = 2.4171 kWh × $0.12/kWh
Cost ≈ $0.2905
So, approximately $0.29 would be the cost for 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of electricity at a rate of $0.12 per kilowatt-hour.
Calculate at $0.20 per kilowatt-hour
ChatGPT returns;
Sure, let’s calculate the cost at a rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour:
Cost = 2.4171 kWh × $0.20/kWh
Cost = $0.48342
So, at a rate of $0.20 per kilowatt-hour, the cost for 2.4171 kilowatt-hours of electricity would be approximately $0.48342.
How much is water in Arizona?
ChatGPT returns;
The cost of water in Arizona can vary depending on factors such as the source of water (e.g., municipal supply, private well), the location within the state, the amount of water used, and any applicable taxes or fees.
In urban areas served by municipal water systems, residents typically pay for water based on usage, often with tiered pricing structures where the cost per gallon or cubic meter increases as consumption levels rise.
As of my last update in January 2022, the average cost of water in Arizona was approximately $1.50 to $3.00 per 1,000 gallons for residential users. However, these rates can fluctuate over time and may vary between different municipalities or water providers.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on water rates in a specific area of Arizona, it’s best to contact the local water utility or municipal government. They can provide details on current rates and any applicable fees or charges.
Average cost to cool an average Arizona home is $477 per year. This is from an article from azcentral.com.
How much energy does it take to freeze 1 litre of water?
ChatGPT returns;
To freeze 1 liter of water, we need to consider the energy required to lower the temperature of the water from its initial temperature to its freezing point, and then the energy required for the phase change from liquid to solid.
The specific heat capacity of water is approximately 4.18 joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C). Therefore, to cool 1 liter (1000 grams) of water from room temperature (let’s assume 20°C) to its freezing point (0°C), we use:
Energy = mass × specific heat capacity × change in temperature = 1000 grams × 4.18 J/g°C × (20°C – 0°C) = 83,600 joules
Now, to calculate the energy required for the phase change (from liquid to solid), we use the latent heat of fusion of water, which is approximately 334 joules per gram (J/g). Therefore:
Energy = mass × latent heat of fusion = 1000 grams × 334 J/g = 334,000 joules
Adding these two energies together gives the total energy required to freeze 1 liter of water:
Total energy = energy for temperature change + energy for phase change = 83,600 joules + 334,000 joules = 417,600 joules
So, it takes approximately 417,600 joules of energy to freeze 1 liter of water.
How many kilowatt-hours is this?
ChatGPT returns;
To convert the energy from joules to kilowatt-hours (kWh), we can use the following conversion factor:
1 kilowatt-hour = 3.6 × 10^6 joules
So, to convert 417,600 joules to kilowatt-hours:
Energy (kWh) = Energy (joules) / (3.6 × 10^6)
Energy (kWh) = 417,600 joules / (3.6 × 10^6)
Energy (kWh) ≈ 0.116 kilowatt-hours
Therefore, it takes approximately 0.116 kilowatt-hours of energy to freeze 1 liter of water.