I need some direction. Please excuse my lack of understanding on the subject.
I am not preoccupied with the efficiency of this project, it's just an idea that I'd like to do some research on and draw up some designs.
The idea is this, cooling using Ice from winter, stored in a thermal building so that the ice lasts throughout the summer.
To state the obvious variables
x temperatures outside
y thermal value of the building
z thermal mass of the ice
is this correct? are there other things I need to take into account?
Now I'm assuming that the most efficient shape is a sphere, and for the sake of this thought experiment will be using a thermal dome for the building.
The idea is this.
During the winter, a big block of ice is manufactured along side of a water source. The block is made as big as possible and shaped roughly as a dome. As spring approaches, the block is made into the shape of a dome. A thermal dome is then built around the pile of ice.
for those who don't know how to make a thermal dome
1: spray closed cell Styrofoam around the form, in this case, on the outside of the ice
2: stick steel re-bar into the Styrofoam
3: spray cement onto the steel re-bar and Styrofoam
A vent would be needed, or a vacuum would be created as the ice melts. BUT a vacuum keeps things cooler right? If so, pressure of a certain amount could be tolerated.
I want to figure out how long the ice would last.
Where should I start?