What substance was sometimes added to ice in early refrigerated rail cars to lower the melting point?
Answer
Salt
Although early refrigerated rail cars primarily relied on ice packed in bunkers, engineers sought ways to enhance their cooling efficiency. To actively lower the temperature inside the car beyond what plain ice could achieve, salt was often added to the ice bunkers. This chemical application was not new, drawing upon older preservation techniques. The combination of ice and salt depresses the freezing point of water, allowing the chilling effect to be more intense and thereby providing better protection against spoilage for goods like meat and produce during transport.
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