Subterranean Walk-in Fridge: Zeer Pots & Aquablox

Hey There,

So, I'm toying with an idea (that is probably either overkill or completely ineffective) and was hoping to get some second opinions on it...

I want to somewhat combine the idea of the Zeer Pot with an Aquablox rainwater harvesting system -

Basically, what I (in my absolute inexperience) am thinking of doing is digging a giant pit, lining it with concrete, etc. & installing an aquablox system along its bottom & sides (with maybe some support beams along the bottom that the aquablox would go around/through without actually having any water touch), then placing an old, unpowered refrigerated freight shipping container in the middle of it (w/access hatch at the top), and then covering it over (except the hatch) with more aquablox and of course soil, etc. Then doing the rainwater harvesting system as normal from there (yeah, it'd be big). Also, of course, the container would have protective liners to keep it from rusting out from the water - it would not be incorporated into rainwater system, just surrounded by it (would condensation be a concern?). Packed sand and what-not in the appropriate places.

My question is, would this still have the same effect as the Zeer Pot, but just having the heat sucked into the earth while the water keeps the refrigerated unit extra-cool? Or would this be a complete waste of time & resources?

Too Long, Didn't Read Version: If I surround a refrigerated shipping container in an aquablox rainwater system, would it have the same effect as a zeer pot or just be a waste of time? And why?

Many thanks in advance.

I think that an insulate inner chamber would not get to enjoy the evaporative cooling.
What be Aquablox?

William Bronson wrote:I think that an insulate inner chamber would not get to enjoy the evaporative cooling.
What be Aquablox?

http://www.rainxchange.com/products/aquablox.php

You have a point, but my theory is that something insulated only keeps heat out/in for so long - so with this it wouldn't be cool immediately, but it would get there over time (and stay there because of the water stored around it). I'm probably wrong, though - I honestly just don't know enough of the physics to evaporative cooling to say one way or the other as to the efficacy of what I'm proposing. :/

In the winter would the water turn the "fridge" into a " freezer?"

Surface areas to volume ratio is seriously working against you here. To visualise this...

Think of an espresso cup and a large mug both filled with hot coffee. The espresso cup cools much faster. This is because it has more surface area relative to it's volume to lose heat through.

Your proposed system is way on the wrong side of this curve.

That said, for large scale refrigeration an insulated freight container that is then given additional insulation earth bermed and kept dry would lose heat very very slowly. If you had some power (solar?) you could run a much smaller refrigeration unit than is typically needed for large chiller rooms.