Yakhchāl: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Yakhchal of Yazd province.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Yakhchāl of Abarkuh, Iran]] |
[[Image:Yakhchal of Yazd province.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Yakhchāl of Abarkuh, Iran]] |
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A '''yakhchāl''' ({{lang-fa|یخچال}} "ice pit"; ''yakh'' meaning "ice" and ''chāl'' meaning "pit") is an ancient type of [[Ice house (building)|ice house]] that functions as an [[evaporative cooler]]. The structure had a domed shape above ground and a subterranean storage space. It was often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well. The subterranean space |
A '''yakhchāl''' ({{lang-fa|یخچال}} "ice pit"; ''yakh'' meaning "ice" and ''chāl'' meaning "pit") is an ancient type of [[Ice house (building)|ice house]] that functions as an [[evaporative cooler]]. The structure had a domed shape above ground and a subterranean storage space. It was often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well. The subterranean space and thick heat-resistant construction material insulated the storage space year-round. These structures were mainly built and used in [[Iran|Persia]]. Many that were built hundreds of years ago remain standing.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mahdavinejad|first=M|author2=Kavan Javanrudi |title=Assessment of Ancient Fridges: A Sustainable Method to Storage Ice in Hot-Arid Climates|journal=Asian Culture and History|date=July 2012|volume=4|issue=2|doi=10.5539/ach.v4n2p133 |doi-access=free}}</ref> |
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==Design and process== |
==Design and process== |
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| footer = Exterior and interior (dome) of the yakhchal in [[Meybod]], Iran |
| footer = Exterior and interior (dome) of the yakhchal in [[Meybod]], Iran |
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}} |
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By 400 BCE, Persian engineers |
By 400 BCE, Persian engineers built yakhchāls in the desert to store ice. A yakhchāl takes advantage of the low humidity in desert climates which promotes the evaporation of water (making evaporative cooling more effective) and promotes rapid cooling once the sun sets (water vapor inhibits radiative cooling in less arid climates). In some desert climates (especially high altitudes), temperatures drop below freezing at night. Water is often channeled from a [[qanat]] (Iranian aqueduct) to a yakhchāl, where it freezes when the temperature is low enough. |
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[[File:یخدان.jpg|thumb|The twin Yakhchāls of [[Sirjan]], [[Kerman Province]]]] |
[[File:یخدان.jpg|thumb|The twin Yakhchāls of [[Sirjan]], [[Kerman Province]]]] |
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A wall is usually built in an east–west direction near the yakhchāl. Incoming water is channeled along the north side of the wall so that radiative cooling in the shadow |
A wall is usually built in an east–west direction near the yakhchāl. Incoming water is channeled along the north side of the wall so that radiative cooling in the wall's shadow cools the water before it enters the yakhchāl. Ice was brought from ice pools or nearby mountains and stored in the yakhchāl. |
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The building allows cold air to pour in from entries at the base |
The building allows cold air to pour in from entries at the structure's base and descend to the lowest part of the yakhchāl, large underground spaces up to {{cvt|5,000|m3|lk=on|abbr=on}} in volume. At the same time, the tall conical shape of the building guides any remaining heat upward and outside through openings at the very top of the building, and through this active process, the air inside the yakhchāl remains cooler than the outside. The yakhchāl is built of a unique water-resistant mortar called [[sarooj]], composed of sand, clay, egg whites, lime, goat hair, and ash in specific proportions, that is resistant to heat transfer and is thought to be completely water-impenetrable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2018/04/28/yakhchals-ab-anbars-wind-catchers-passive-cooling-refrigeration-technologies-of-greater-iran-persia/|last=Ayre|first=James|title=Yakhchāls, Āb Anbārs, & Wind Catchers – Passive Cooling & Refrigeration Technologies Of Greater Iran (Persia)|date=2018-04-28|website=[[CleanTechnica]]|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> This material acts as effective insulation all year round. The sarooj walls are at least two meters thick at the base.<ref name="per">{{Cite news|url=http://salarketab.ir/%DB%8C%D8%AE%DA%86%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C-%DA%86%DA%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D9%87-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%9F/|title=یخچال ایرانی چگونه کار میکند؟ - سالارکتاب: اطلاعات معتبر و مستند|date=2018-06-06|work=سالارکتاب: اطلاعات معتبر و مستند|access-date=2018-10-03|language=fa-IR}}</ref> |
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[[File:Yakhchāl of Kashmar2021.jpg|thumb|Yakhchāl of Kashmar, Iran]] |
[[File:Yakhchāl of Kashmar2021.jpg|thumb|Yakhchāl of Kashmar, Iran]] |
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Yakhchāls often have access to a [[qanat]], and are sometimes equipped with [[bâdgir]]s (windcatchers or wind towers) built of mud or mud brick in square or round shapes with vents at the top which funnel cool air down through internal, vertically-placed wooden slats to the water or structure below. A bâdgir can also function as a chimney, releasing warm air out the top and pulling cool air in from a base opening or a connected [[qanat]] (air in a qanat is cooled by the underground stream). Many homes in desert towns are equipped with a bâdgir system. |
Yakhchāls often have access to a [[qanat]], and are sometimes equipped with [[bâdgir]]s (windcatchers or wind towers) built of mud or mud brick in square or round shapes with vents at the top which funnel cool air down through internal, vertically-placed wooden slats to the water or structure below. A bâdgir can also function as a chimney, releasing warm air out the top and pulling cool air in from a base opening or a connected [[qanat]] (air in a qanat is cooled by the underground stream). Many homes in desert towns are equipped with a bâdgir system. |
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The ice created and stored in yakhchāls is used throughout the year especially during hot summer days for various purposes, including preservation of food, to chill treats, or |
The ice created and stored in yakhchāls is used throughout the year especially during hot summer days, for various purposes, including preservation of food, to chill treats, or making traditional Persian desserts like [[faloodeh]] and [[sorbet]]s. |
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A yakhchāl in [[Kerman]] (over a mile above sea level) is located about one and a half kilometers from the center of the city. This cone-shaped building is about eighteen meters high. The massive insulation and the continuous cooling waters that spiral down its side |
A yakhchāl in [[Kerman]] (over a mile above sea level) is located about one and a half kilometers from the center of the city. This cone-shaped building is about eighteen meters high. The massive insulation and the continuous cooling waters that spiral down its side keep the ice frozen throughout the summer. |
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In present-day Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the term yakhchāl is also used to refer to modern refrigerators. |
In present-day Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the term yakhchāl is also used to refer to modern refrigerators. |
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==Ice pools== |
==Ice pools== |
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[[image:Yakhchal-kheshti.jpg|thumb|Ice Pool beside the [[Meybod]] yakhchāl in Iran]] |
[[image:Yakhchal-kheshti.jpg|thumb|Ice Pool beside the [[Meybod]] yakhchāl in Iran]] |
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Many yakhchāls were built beside ice pools so ice could easily be transported to storage units within yakhchāls. Ice pools would use the cold of the desert nights to freeze water which would later be transported to storage as ice.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://eartharchitecture.org/?p=570 |title=Yakhchal: Ancient Refrigerators |date=9 September 2009 |work=Earth Architecture}}</ref><ref |
Many yakhchāls were built beside ice pools so ice could easily be transported to storage units within yakhchāls. Ice pools would use the cold of the desert nights to freeze water which would later be transported to storage as ice.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://eartharchitecture.org/?p=570 |title=Yakhchal: Ancient Refrigerators |date=9 September 2009 |work=Earth Architecture}}</ref><ref name="per" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 05:04, 10 April 2023
![]() | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2012) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Yakhchal_of_Yazd_province.jpg/300px-Yakhchal_of_Yazd_province.jpg)
A yakhchāl (Persian: یخچال "ice pit"; yakh meaning "ice" and chāl meaning "pit") is an ancient type of ice house that functions as an evaporative cooler. The structure had a domed shape above ground and a subterranean storage space. It was often used to store ice, but sometimes was used to store food as well. The subterranean space and thick heat-resistant construction material insulated the storage space year-round. These structures were mainly built and used in Persia. Many that were built hundreds of years ago remain standing.[1]
Design and process
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Yakhchal.jpg/220px-Yakhchal.jpg)
By 400 BCE, Persian engineers built yakhchāls in the desert to store ice. A yakhchāl takes advantage of the low humidity in desert climates which promotes the evaporation of water (making evaporative cooling more effective) and promotes rapid cooling once the sun sets (water vapor inhibits radiative cooling in less arid climates). In some desert climates (especially high altitudes), temperatures drop below freezing at night. Water is often channeled from a qanat (Iranian aqueduct) to a yakhchāl, where it freezes when the temperature is low enough.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/%DB%8C%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86.jpg/220px-%DB%8C%D8%AE%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86.jpg)
A wall is usually built in an east–west direction near the yakhchāl. Incoming water is channeled along the north side of the wall so that radiative cooling in the wall's shadow cools the water before it enters the yakhchāl. Ice was brought from ice pools or nearby mountains and stored in the yakhchāl.
The building allows cold air to pour in from entries at the structure's base and descend to the lowest part of the yakhchāl, large underground spaces up to 5,000 m3 (180,000 cu ft) in volume. At the same time, the tall conical shape of the building guides any remaining heat upward and outside through openings at the very top of the building, and through this active process, the air inside the yakhchāl remains cooler than the outside. The yakhchāl is built of a unique water-resistant mortar called sarooj, composed of sand, clay, egg whites, lime, goat hair, and ash in specific proportions, that is resistant to heat transfer and is thought to be completely water-impenetrable.[2] This material acts as effective insulation all year round. The sarooj walls are at least two meters thick at the base.[3]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Yakhch%C4%81l_of_Kashmar2021.jpg/220px-Yakhch%C4%81l_of_Kashmar2021.jpg)
Yakhchāls often have access to a qanat, and are sometimes equipped with bâdgirs (windcatchers or wind towers) built of mud or mud brick in square or round shapes with vents at the top which funnel cool air down through internal, vertically-placed wooden slats to the water or structure below. A bâdgir can also function as a chimney, releasing warm air out the top and pulling cool air in from a base opening or a connected qanat (air in a qanat is cooled by the underground stream). Many homes in desert towns are equipped with a bâdgir system.
The ice created and stored in yakhchāls is used throughout the year especially during hot summer days, for various purposes, including preservation of food, to chill treats, or making traditional Persian desserts like faloodeh and sorbets.
A yakhchāl in Kerman (over a mile above sea level) is located about one and a half kilometers from the center of the city. This cone-shaped building is about eighteen meters high. The massive insulation and the continuous cooling waters that spiral down its side keep the ice frozen throughout the summer.
In present-day Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, the term yakhchāl is also used to refer to modern refrigerators.
Ice pools
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Yakhchal-kheshti.jpg/220px-Yakhchal-kheshti.jpg)
Many yakhchāls were built beside ice pools so ice could easily be transported to storage units within yakhchāls. Ice pools would use the cold of the desert nights to freeze water which would later be transported to storage as ice.[4][3]
See also
- Ab Anbar – Traditional Iranian water reservoir
- History of Persian domes – Part of Persian architecture
- Soltaniyeh – City in Zanjan province, Iran
- Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity
References
- ^ Mahdavinejad, M; Kavan Javanrudi (July 2012). "Assessment of Ancient Fridges: A Sustainable Method to Storage Ice in Hot-Arid Climates". Asian Culture and History. 4 (2). doi:10.5539/ach.v4n2p133.
- ^ Ayre, James (2018-04-28). "Yakhchāls, Āb Anbārs, & Wind Catchers – Passive Cooling & Refrigeration Technologies Of Greater Iran (Persia)". CleanTechnica. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- ^ a b "یخچال ایرانی چگونه کار میکند؟ - سالارکتاب: اطلاعات معتبر و مستند". سالارکتاب: اطلاعات معتبر و مستند (in Persian). 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2018-10-03.
- ^ "Yakhchal: Ancient Refrigerators". Earth Architecture. 9 September 2009.
Further reading
- Jorgensen, Hemming (2019). "Icehouses". In Fleet, Kate; Krämer, Gudrun; Matringe, Denis; Nawas, John; Rowson, Everett (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam (3rd ed.). Brill Online. ISSN 1873-9830.
- Rutstein, Harry; Kroll, Joanne (1980). In the Footsteps of Marco Polo : a Twentieth Century Odyssey. New York: Viking Press. ISBN 9780670396832. OCLC 6197014.
External links
- Raman, Aaswath (2018-06-01). "Transcript of "How we can turn the cold of outer space into a renewable resource"". TED. Retrieved 2020-03-06. A TED talk on radiative cooling.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)