Abstract: Purified ice pieces of a size suitable for use in drinks, and purified liquid water, are derived from unpurified liquid water by directing a stream of the unpurified water over areas of at least one freezing surface. As ice forms at the freezing surface, impurities in the water are washed away by the stream which may be collected so that the unpurified water may be recirculated as part of the freezing process. The freezing surface areas are periodically heated to detach the ice, the detached ice being collected in a bin. Ice at the bottom of the bin is melted by selectively heating the bin to provide purified water that is collected in a container. Controls are provided to automatically initiate bin heating and thereby maintain a predetermined amount of purified liquid water in the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for superpurifying crystallizable substances to a purity level of 99.999 percent. Included is controlling the reflux ratio by controlling and/or metering transfers of crystals and mother liquid at selected locations and by maintaining a steady state of transfers between a plurality of stages that carry out similar operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing polluted clinging water from ice. The dirty ice pieces are introduced at the bottom of a column of water and are rinsed by progressively cleaner water as the ice pieces float to the surface.

Abstract: An ice storage refrigerating apparatus of direct contact type comprises a closed crystallizer tank containing water therein and a refrigerant circulating system. A refrigerant consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon having four carbon atoms and/or a hydrocarbon having five carbon atoms is brought into direct contact with the water contained in the crystallizer tank to form ice in sherbet form which is used for heat exchange to provide chilled water used for air conditioning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating, by siphon effect, in a housing containing a cold-accumulating and freezable liquid, a current of liquid in a closed hydraulic circuit, the current of liquid comprising at least one ascending current which is located over means for injecting a refrigerating fluid and which contains bubbles of atomized refrigerating fluid, and at least one descending current free of refrigerating fluid in the gaseous phase.

Abstract: A direct contact evaporator-freezer comprising a body defining a chamber having an upper vapor discharge opening and a lower aqueous slurry discharge opening; a conduit to supply an aqueous liquid to the chamber at a rate which produces a pool of liquid in the chamber while aqueous slurry is discharged therefrom; and a nozzle to spray a liquid refrigerant in the form of small high velocity droplets into the aqueous liquid in the chamber.

Abstract: A continuous, counter current freeze concentration system and method for concentrating aqueous solutions such as fruit juices, coffee and cold water soluble tea extracts, milk, beer, wine, vinegar, and the like in which the aqueous liquid is passed through one or more concentrating stages, each of which include a crystallizer associated with a gradient column, to crystallize ice in each of the stages and increase the concentration of the liquid, and the ice formed in each stage is passed in reverse direction through the stages. Ice crystals are separated and removed from the system in a wash column associated with the first stage, and concentrated liquid is removed as product from the last stage.

Abstract: The invention is a method with equipments for conducting the solid-liquid-vapor multiple phase transformation steps of processes such as vacuum freezing, wet distillative freezing, vacuum crystallization and primary refrigerant eutectic freezing. All these processes require simultaneous vaporization and crystallization. The invented method for conducting this common step consists of (1) distributing the solution over a rotating surface area to form liquid films (2) subjecting the liquid films to simultaneous vaporization and crystallization (3) removing the crystals from the surfaces and (4) transporting the crystals to the next processing zone. The surfaces can be rotating screws with intermeshing flights or a sets of disks on rotating shafts. The screws are partially submerged in the solution. Elements of the screws are wetted when they are rotated into the pool.

Abstract: A heat exchanger designed to cool a liquid such as water has a boiler with several upright heat-transfer tubes on whose inner surfaces the liquid descends in the form of a thin film while a refrigerant such as ammonia or a Freon rises within the boiler. To generate the thin films the liquid to be cooled is collected in a storage vessel above the boiler into which the heat-transfer tubes project. Each of these open-topped tubes contains an insert with a frustoconically diverging bottom part approaching the inner tube surface to within a fraction of a millimeter. The bottom part of the insert has an acute-angled peripheral edge insuring the detachment of the liquid from its surface. The several inserts are suspended from a vertically reciprocable piston rod forming part of a pneumatic jack whose alternate pressurization is controlled by a relay in response to two microswitches actuated by cams on the piston rod and to two level sensors ascertaining the liquid level in the storage vessel.

Abstract: In the tube (41) of a tube assembly of a crystallization apparatus, an insert (43) is provided which increases the effective surface in the interior of the tube (41). The insert has subsequent different sections (45, 46, 47). Seen in direction of flow the effective surface per unit of length of a subsequent section (46, 47) is larger than the effective surface of the previous section (45, 46). Because the heat removal by the coolant is a limiting factor for the kinetics of crystallization, the amount of crystals produced per unit of length of the tube is not substantially increased by the insert, but a smaller linear growth velocity is obtained at the surface of the crystals. This provides for better conditions for forming clean crystals. The inserts (343, 443 . . .

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling an aqueous liquid at ground level, by a refrigeration system which rejects heat, to produce an aqueous ice slurry of ice crystals in the aqueous liquid; and (A) feeding some of the aqueous ice slurry from ground level to a heat exchanger in a mine chamber substantially below ground level to cool air or water in the mine chamber by heat exchange with the slurry thereby producing warm aqueous liquid from the slurry; withdrawing the warm aqueous liquid from the mine chamber, returning it to ground level and then cooling the aqueous liquid by the refrigeration system to again convert it to an aqueous ice slurry; and recycling the slurry to the mine chamber; and (B) feeding some of the aqueous ice slurry produced at ground level to an ice washer and washing the ice; melting the washed ice to produce potable water at ground level; and feeding the potable water to hydraulic powered machinery in the mine chamber and using the hydrostatic energy of the water to power the machinery.

Abstract: Ethanol is admixed with a compressed vapor in an ice generator, and the mixture is then condensed by indirect heat exchange with a coolant in a chamber. The condensate is collected in a bottom chamber of the ice generator and then supplied to a scraper heat exchanger where primary ice crystals are generated. The ethanol is washed out of the ice crystal suspension in a counterflow washer and the primary ice crystal suspension delivered to a freeze drying chamber where the secondary ice crystal suspension is then generated to form the end product. This method permits the continuous generation of crystalline ice without interruptions for defrosting.

Abstract: Ice is produced by supplying a cold antifreeze solution into a freezer vessel evacuated to operate at the triple point of water; feeding a stream of water into the vessel whereby (A) part of the water flashes into water vapor which extracts its latent heat of vaporization from the water in the freezer and part of the water is cooled and converted to ice crystals in a pool of water therein and (B) the water vapor is condensed by and absorbed into the cold antifreeze solution thereby forming a more dilute antifreeze solution; removing a mixture of ice crystals and water from the vessel; withdrawing dilute antifreeze solution from the vessel and subjecting the solution to a water separating treatment to separate water and form concentrated antifreeze, combining the concentrated antifreeze with antifreeze solution withdrawn from the vessel to form a combined antifreeze stream; cooling the combined antifreeze stream to produce a cold antifreeze stream; and recycling the cold antifreeze stream to the freezer vessel

Abstract: The apparatus employs a compressor for compressing a flow of water vapor with an ethanol additive and a condensation chamber in which the compressed water vapor may be condensed to form ice crystals. A coolant circuit in provided in the condensation chamber to melt the ice crystals from the heat exchange surfaces for subsequent formation of primary ice in a bottom chamber. A recirculation circuit is provided to convey the primary ice into a freeze drying chamber for freeze-drying of the vapor at the triple point. The resulting product is passed to a water separator prior to ultimate use.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a suspension consisting of a hollow cylinder in which one or more tubes of a constant outward diameter extend in axial direction, in the wall of each tube at least one filter being mounted forming the only direct connection between the interior of the tube and the interior of the cylinder. Two or more of such apparatus can be connected in series in order to form a cascade.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating multicomponent liquid product containing volatile and nonvolatile constituents are provided, comprising mixing liquid product with liquid refrigerant gas in a freezing chamber, removing ice crystals containing entrained multicomponent liquid product from the chamber, removing the volatile constituents of the liquid product and vaporized liquid refrigerant gas from the chamber, separating the volatile constituents and vaporized refrigerant gas, recirculating the volatile constituents into the freezing chamber so as to mix with the remaining liquid product in the chamber, and removing concentrate of the liquid product from the chamber.

Abstract: A feed liquid, which can be aqueous, is frozen in tubes of a freeze exchanger by indirect cooling with a cold liquefied refrigerant to form a solid tubular shaped product. A warm liquefied refrigerant is used to indirectly melt a thin layer of the frozen tubular product to release it from the tubes. The freed tubular product is cut into pieces which can be used for cooling purposes and, in the case of ice, to give potable water.

Abstract: Cold trap apparatus for the purification of liquid metal such as sodium comprises a cooled vessel (20) within which a number of concentric cylinders (23) are located such that the liquid metal flow takes place downwardly in the gap between the vessel (20) and the outermost cylinder (23) and upwardly along the gaps between the cylinders (23). The cylinders (23) present extended surfaces across which the liquid metal flows with deposition of solute (24) along such surfaces. The surfaces of the cylinders (23) may be of a roughened nature with respect to the liquid metal flow, e.g. they may be covered with a single layer mesh (21).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for concentrating aqueous liquids which increase in viscosity with concentration using three stages employing screw concentrators in series which separate ice crystals from the liquid.

Abstract: Fragmentary water ice is produced in an enclosure by metering water into a flowing body of liquid refrigerant having a greater density than the water or ice, lifting the ice out of the refrigerant and through a zone of further cooling in which the adhering liquid refrigerant, itself, is cooled and drained from the ice, and discharging the ice through an opening in the enclosure.

Abstract: A method comprising feeding a liquefied refrigerant gas into direct contact with aqueous liquid in an enclosed vessel to chill or cool the liquid and/or produce ice crystals and vaporize the refrigerant by heat exchange with the aqueous liquid; feeding a mixture of cold aqueous liquid and/or ice and refrigerant from the vessel to an enclosed storage tank to provide cold aqueous liquid and/or ice therein; removing refrigerant vapor from the storage tank; converting the refrigerant vapor to liquid refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle and feeding the liquid refrigerant back to the enclosed vessel; and withdrawing aqueous liquid from the storage tank and feeding it to the enclosed vessel; with all said refrigerant and aqueous liquid streams and volumes being in a single closed system such that refrigerant and aqueous liquid are not lost except by inadvertent leaks and consumption of such materials is avoided because they are not withdrawn from the system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of cooling which include the storage of cooling capacity or thermal energy in the form of an ice slurry or slush and the subsequent use of the ice for any cooling purpose, including air conditioning and industrial installations which require cooling or refrigeration. A tank is disclosed with equipment for uniformly depositing ice slurry in the tank and for draining liquid through the ice to cool it for use in cooling a facility.

Abstract: A water purifier for producing potable water from contaminated water, the purifier includes a crystallizer chamber with a plurality of projecting freeze elements, and a water spray unit which directs a fine spray of water at the freeze elements to produce ice coating on the freeze elements. The purifier also includes a refrigerant unit to periodically chill and warm the freeze elements to alternately produce and release ice shells that are melted to form purified water.

Abstract: A falling film heat exchanger of the shell and tube type has the tubes positioned in concentric rings. A liquid distribution box is positioned above the tube upper ends. Short pipes extend downwardly from the box to feed liquid between the rings of tubes to distribute the liquid uniformly to the tubes. The box desirably rotates slowly. Also, the pipes desirably extend between upwardly extending tube ends so as to provide a uniform pool of liquid which overflows uniformly into the tubes.

Abstract: In a heat pump having a heat source, a heat sink and a thermal storage heat exchanger in which heat energy is cyclically accumulated and discharged by circulation of a secondary refrigerant therethrough, the improvement wherein: the secondary refrigerant is an aqueous solution having a concentration which is below its eutetic concentration, the heat sink is adapted to super cool the aqueous solution to partially freeze it to generate a partially frozen solution in which fine ice particles are retained in suspension, the thermal storage heat exchanger has a storage chamber, a first input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting said partially frozen solution from the heat sink to said storage chamber, a second input communicating with said storage chamber for admitting heated refrigerant from the heat source sink to said storage chamber, a first output communicating with said storage chamber for discharging liquid phase refrigerant from said storage chamber for circulation to said heat sink and/or

Abstract: A freeze concentrator of the shell and tube type containing a pool of liquid cryogen within the shell, the concentrator being adapted to maintain a constant temperature within the liquid cryogen. The temperature control comprises a flash tank located above the level of liquid cryogen within the concentrator, to which the vapors evolved from the boiling cryogen are passed. The flash tank is provided with a condenser for condensing the cryogen vapor which enters the flash tank, the resulting liquid cryogen collecting within the flash tank and being recycled therefrom by gravity to the pool of cryogen in the exchanger.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating ice from concentrated liquid and washing the ice, including a vessel having a bottom and vertical wall joined to the bottom; a plurality of vertical tubular members in the vessel extending upwardly from the bottom; perforations in the upper portion of the tubular members through which concentrated liquid in the vessel can drain into the tubes; a first conduit for feeding a slurry of ice and concentrated liquid to the vessel; a second conduit communicating with the tubes for withdrawing concentrated liquid from the tubes; a concentrated liquid withdrawal third conduit communicating with the vessel lower interior portion for withdrawing concentrated liquid from the vessel; and control means to maintain a predetermined concentrated liquid level, and a predetermined pressure distribution, in the vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a freeze exchanger having an aqueous liquid feed stream inlet and an aqueous liquid stream outlet; a closed loop refrigeration system for supplying a refrigerant to the freeze exchanger for indirectly cooling aqueous liquid fed thereto; an ice storage tank; a conduit for withdrawing aqueous liquid, or a mixture of ice and aqueous liquid, from the freeze exchanger outlet and delivering it to the ice storage tank; a conduit for removing cold aqueous liquid from the ice storage tank and feeding it to a heat exchanger to cool fluid used for cooling purposes; and a conduit for removing warm aqueous liquid from the heat exchanger and feeding it to the ice storage tank, or to the freeze exchanger, or partially to both.A method of cooling making use of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for separating the ice crystals contained in a slurry of an aqueous olution and ice crystals from the aqueous solution and washing the ice crystals with an aqueous wash liquid, whereby a packed bed of ice crystals is created which is subjected to a continuous translatory movement, while a washfront is being created within the packed bed of ice crystals between the aqueous solution and the aqueous wash liquid, the aqueous solution and aqueous wash liquid adjacent to the washfront being substantially stagnant, a stable washfront being created lying in a plane perpendicular to the translatory movement of the packed bed of ice crystals.

Abstract: In a heat pump having a heat source, a heat sink and a thermal storage heat exchanger in which heat energy is cyclically accumulated and discharged by circulation of a secondary refrigerant therethrough, the improvement wherein: the secondary refrigerant is a aqueous solution having a concentration which is below its Eutetic concentration, the heat sink is adapted to super cool the aqueous solution to partially freeze it to generate a partially frozen solution in which fine ice particles are retained in suspension, the thermal storage heat exchanger has a storage chamber adapted to receive said partially frozen solution from the heat sink and to separate the ice particles from the liquid phase refrigerant to form a porous ice bed and a substantially ice free liquid bath, and wherein the thermal storage heat exchanger is adapted to receive heated refrigerant and to discharge the heated refrigerant into said chamber such that it is placed in intimate contact with the ice bed in a manner such that it may pass th

Abstract: An apparatus for separating the ice crystals contained in a slurry of an eous solution and ice crystals from the aqueous solution and washing the ice crystals with an aqueous wash liquid, whereby a packed bed of ice crystals is created which is subjected to a continuous translatory movement, while a washfront is being created within the packed bed of ice crystals between the aqueous solution and the aqueous wash liquid, the aqueous solution and aqueous wash liquid adjacent to the washfront being substantially stagnant, a stable washfront being created lying in a plane perpendicular to the translatory movement of the packed bed of ice crystals.

Abstract: Spherical frozen particles, which may be subsequently freeze dried are prepared by introducing a liquid medium in the form of droplets beneath the surface of a cooling liquid. The temperature and density of the cooling liquid is chosen so that liquid droplets freeze as they float towards the surface of the cooling liquid. Preferably a column of cooling liquid is employed and the liquid medium is introduced through an inlet near the base of the column.

Abstract: A system and method for concentrating aqueous beverages such as fruit juices, beer, wine, vinegar, tea, coffee, and the like in which a slurry of feed liquid and seed crystals is formed in a scraped surface heat exchanger of a first stage and supplied to a recrystallizer where larger crystals grow, the liquid in the recrystallizer being withdrawn with part recirculated to the heat exchanger of a succeeding stage. The slurry of larger crystals in the recrystallizer of the first stage is also withdrawn and the crystals separated in a wash column. The larger crystals grown in the second stage recrystallizer are supplied to the recrystallizer of the first stage where the seed crystals melt and reform on the larger crystals and the larger crystals from the third stage are similarly supplied to the recrystallizer of the second stage.

Abstract: Provided is a freeze concentration apparatus and method which embody means designed, sized and arranged for inhibiting ice deposition including an enclosed cyclonic concentrator vessel having unobstructed, smooth faced interior walls.

Abstract: An improved heat exchanger in which a liquid is cooled by contacting a surface to crystallize a component therefrom by indirect heat exchange with a fluid on the otherside of the surface, having a layer of a polymeric material, to which the crystallized component does not significantly adhere, on the surface which contacts the liquid, and with said layer being sufficiently thin for efficient heat transfer through the surface.An improved method of crystallizing a component from a liquid by indirect heat exchange by passing the liquid into contact with a surface covered with a thin layer of a polymeric material to which the crystals do not substantially adhere, and cooled by a cooling fluid which is sufficiently cold to cool the liquid to a temperature low enough to form crystals as the liquid contacts the surface.

Abstract: A falling film freeze exchanger having a shell connected to vertically spaced apart horizontally arranged circular upper and lower tube sheets; a plurality of vertically positioned parallel tubes, with each tube extending through and connected to a hole in each tube sheet; an inlet to feed a liquefied refrigerant gas to the lower part of the shell side of the heat exchanger and an outlet to withdraw refrigerant vapor from the upper part of the shell side of the heat exchanger; a liquid distribution box positioned above the upper tube sheet and a conduit to deliver an aqueous feed liquid to the liquid distribution box; a solid walled sleeve, surrounding and spaced outwardly from each tube, joined to the upper tube sheet and extending downwardly a short distance below the refrigerant liquid/gas interface on the shell side thereby providing a refrigerant vapor space between each sleeve and tube; and a hole in and through the upper part of the sleeve wall near the upper tube sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus useful in freeze concentration processes such as in the concentration of fruit juices. The apparatus performs both the recrystallization and ice-liquid separation steps of conventional freeze concentration systems. The apparatus comprises an inclined trough divided into zones by dams including, in sequence, a recrystallizer, an ice breakup, an ice drainage and an ice discharge zone. The apparatus is provided with a variable speed, rotating paddle auger with variably pitched paddles which advances, lifts, and breaks up the ice along the trough. The liquid concentrate is discharged through one or more discharge ports spaced along the bottom of the trough. The ice is discharged at the high end of the trough through a discharge chute.

Abstract: A separator particularly useful in freeze concentration systems and apparatus, particularly multi-stage countercurrent systems for concentrating aqueous feed liquid, but useful for other kinds of separators as well. The slurry to be separated enters a vessel in which is mounted and rotated a cylindrical filter. The liquid passes through the filter to one outlet while the solids accumulate on the filter and are removed and directed to another outlet by a fixed scraper.

Abstract: A flux filtration system (10) for removing rosin flux from a heat transfer liquid (14). The flux and heat transfer liquid (14) on an article (17) that has been condensation soldered is drained into a pan (13) located within a condensation soldering facility (11). The pan (13) diverts the liquid-flux mixture from a boiling reservoir of the liquid (14) in the lower portion of the facility (11). The liquid-flux mixture drained during a plurality of batch soldering operations is accumulated in a coarse flux filter (21). Periodically the filter (21) outpulses the coarsely filtered material sequentially through a heat exchanger (23), a fine flux filter (24), a preheater (28) and is then returned to the reservoir in the facility (11).

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a vertical vessel having a lower downwardly pointed conical shell portion, an intermediate shell portion and an upper shell portion wider than the lower and intermediate portions and with all said vessel portions surrounding and defining an unobstructed interior; a conduit for feeding a liquid stream, containing solids less dense than the liquid, tangentially to the vessel intermediate portion interior so that the liquid flows in a helical path therein and then flows downwardly to and in the lower conical portion whereby less dense liquid slurry concentrates in the central area of the lower conical portion and flows upwardly into the vessel upper portion while more dense liquid slurry concentrates in the vessel lower conical portion; a conduit to withdraw more dense liquid slurry from the vessel lower conical portion; and a distributor for directing washing liquid onto the slurry while the slurry is in the vessel upper portion.

Abstract: The invention is an improved apparatus for the removal of sodium carbonate from cyanide plating baths. The method involves the precipitation of sodium carbonate by the effect of cooling the cyanide plating bath liquid. A container is submerged in the solution with the container opening extending above the plating bath solution level. The container is filled with dry ice and water which produces a temperature of approximately zero degrees centigrade inside of the container. The solution adjacent to the exterior of the container is cooled so that excess sodium carbonate is precipitated as a crystalline deposit. After a desired interval, the container is removed with the encrustation of sodium carbonate for disposal.

Abstract: A process for the separation of one or more kinds of solute in a cryohydrate characterized in that a cryohydrate obtained by freezing a solution together with a high tensile member is passed through pressure-application zones whose inner sectional area is reduced toward the direction in which the high tensile member is pulled to thereby separate fractions having high solute contents from fractions having low solute contents, and apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A falling film freeze exchanger having a plurality of spaced apart vertical freeze tubes secured in, and penetrating, an upper and a lower tube sheet; a shell around the tube sheets and connected thereto; a header surrounding and joined to the upper part of the shell and extending above the top tube sheet and laterally outwardly from the shell; means to deliver a liquid process feed stream into the header; and a layer of insulation surrounding that part of the shell surrounded by the header.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for operating a continuous process for the freeze concentration of aqueous solutions, such as fruit juices, wine, beer, coffee extract and the like.

Abstract: Process for separating the ice crystals contained in a slurry of an aqueous solution and ice crystals from the aqueous solution and washing the ice crystals with an aqueous wash liquid, whereby a packed bed of ice crystals is created which is subjected to a continuous translatory movement, while a washfront is being created within the packed bed of ice crystals between the aqueous solution and the aqueous wash liquid, the aqueous solution and the aqueous wash liquid adjacent to the washfront being substantially stagnant, a stable washfront being created lying in a plane perpendicular to the translatory movement of the packed bed of ice crystals.

Abstract: A freeze exchanger comprising at least one freeze tube secured in, and penetrating, first and second spaced-apart tube sheets; a cover beyond the first tube sheet; a shell around the tube sheets and connected thereto, with said cover supported by the shell; a removable tubular liner, in the freeze tube, of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the freeze tube thereby defining an annulus between the two tubes; a conduit to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box space between the first tube sheet and the cover; and a conduit to deliver a cooling fluid around the freeze tube inside of the shell between the first and second tube sheets and a conduit to remove cooling fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing or freezing out a component of a mixture composed of a liquid and a dissolved or suspended solid material, or both, by passing the mixture upwardly through a column containing a mass of insoluble solid particles having a specific gravity greater than that of the mixture; by heat exchange to a cold fluid, indirectly cooling the mixture to a temperature at which the component crystallizes or freezes out of solution, as it flows upwardly in the column; said component being the liquid or dissolved solid material; and said flow of the mixture through the column being at a sufficient velocity to fluidize the insoluble solid particles into turbulent action to scour the column inside surface and thereby prevent build up thereon of the crystallized or frozen out component.Apparatus for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A falling film freeze exchanger having a plurality of spaced apart vertical freeze tubes secured in, and penetrating, an upper and a lower tube sheet; a cover above the upper tube sheet; a shell around the tube sheets and connected thereto, with said cover supported by the shell; the upper ends of the freeze tubes desirably extending above the upper tube sheet and, optionally, the lower ends of the freeze tubes not being enclosed by the shell; a conduit to deliver a liquid feed stream into a feed box between the upper tube sheet and the cover; a conduit to deliver a cooling fluid around the tubes inside of the shell between the upper and lower tube sheets; and, a conduit to remove cooling fluid therefrom.

Abstract: A feed stock comprising sugar, milk solids, a significant amount of moisture, and in some instances chocolate, is raised to a temperature of about 125.degree. C. and at the same time is condensed to have a moisture content of between about 4% and 6%. This is done by moving the material upwardly in an annular column and heating the walls defining that annular column. The condensed material is maintained at its final temperature and transferred to a crystallizer. In the crystallizer it is moved downwardly and kneaded. The kneading is performed by two sets of interdigitating rods, one set being stationary and the other set moving transversely to the downward path of movement of the material. As it is being kneaded it is cooled, both by contact with refrigerated surfaces and also by a countercurrent flow of cool air. The kneading is continued until the product is crystallized and particulate. Thereafter, it is optionally dried to a moisture content of about 1%.

Abstract: Installation for storing continuously generated cold and for the intermittent release of at least a portion of the stored cold, with a storage container for a mixture of cold water and ice, by a cooling device for delivering ice continuously to the storage container, and with means for removing cold water intermittently from the storage container and for cycling it to an apparatus to be cooled and then for recycling it back to the storage container.