Abstract: The application pertains to, for example, novel processes and systems for heat transfer, refrigeration, energy storage, and various cooling and heating processes. Such processes may include cooling or mixing various liquid-liquid phase transition liquids to release and/or energy. Additionally or alternatively, such processes may include charging and/or discharging thermal storage reservoirs with layered liquids of various temperatures.

Abstract: Thermo-chemical recuperation systems, devices, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Embodiments may generally relate to the field of refrigeration and/or heat pumping. Within that field, some embodiments apply to the recuperation or recapturing of both thermal and chemical potential in a freeze point suppression cycle. Some embodiments include a method and/or system of thermo-chemical recuperation that includes creating a flow of ice and flowing a brine against the flow of the ice. Some embodiments manage the thermal and chemical potentials by mixing a dilute brine stream exiting an ice mixing vessel with an ice stream before it enters the ice mixing vessel. By controlling this mixing in a counter-flow or step-wise cross flow manner with sufficient steps, both the thermal and chemical potential of the dilute bine stream may be recuperated.

Abstract: Provided is a cold storage unit that has a high cold storage capacity, does not generate carbon dioxide, and enables recycling of the cold source. Also provided are a moving body and an ice slurry supply system. In the cold storage unit, a casing that defines a cold storage space has a heat insulating structure, a partition wall that faces the casing is provided at least at a top portion of the cold storage space, and a gap between the casing and the partition wall is filled with an ice slurry that is a mixture of brine and flake ice acquired by freezing the brine. In addition, it is possible to provide a supply port for supplying the ice slurry into the gap and a discharge port for discharging the ice slurry from the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular passive refrigeration container for the cold storage and transport of goods, especially fresh produce and deep-frozen goods as well as to a method for the assembly of such a modular passive refrigerated container, comprising at least: (i) a cooling element, suitable for binary ice as coolant, comprising at least three plate-shaped hollow cooling segments, wherein the plate-shaped cooling segments define at least a portion of the refrigeration space, (ii) an insulation material in plate form, and (iii) a housing, suitable for receiving said cooling element and said insulating material in plate form, wherein said cooling element is removably surrounded by said housing, and wherein a space between the said cooling element and said housing is at least partially filled with said insulating material which is reversibly connected with either said housing or said cooling element or both.

Abstract: A cooling system for beverage dispense has a circuit 5 in which binary ice is circulated. A modular heat exchange unit 13 for a plurality of beverage lines 25,27,29,31,33 is connected to the circuit 5 for cooling beverage prior to dispense from a dispense tap 35 in a serving area such as a bar. The ice fraction in the binary ice provides a thermal store that can absorb heat without increasing the temperature of the binary ice and enables the system to respond quickly to changes in the cooling requirements in the circuit 5.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a fluid ice are provided, wherein temperature and thickness of the fluid ice is independently controllable. The method and apparatus mixes ice together with at least two liquid phases, and stirs the mix. Stirring is maintained until a desired temperature and a desired grain size of the fluid ice is obtained.

Abstract: Utilizing condensing/defrosting water as additional coolant to cool the condenser coil makes cooling systems such as refrigerator, air conditioner, etc more energy efficient and reduces the possibility of condensing/defrosting water overflow from condensate collection pan. The compressed media flowing from bottom to top of the condenser coil makes more water evaporate. By introducing the working interval of cooling system makes the cooling system more energy efficient by optimally utilizing the low temperature condensing/defrosting water.

Abstract: A dual refrigerant refrigerating system provides a refrigeration cycle in which a primary refrigerant cools a secondary refrigerant in a primary evaporator into a partially frozen state, in which a fusion portion thereof is frozen. The primary refrigerant thus absorbs a secondary latent heat from secondary refrigerant, including a latent heat of fusion required for freezing the fusion portion. Secondary refrigerant is subsequently at least partially thawed, in a secondary evaporator, by re-absorption thereby of secondary latent heat from material proximal to secondary evaporator. Evaporation in secondary evaporator requires at least partial thawing of fusion portion, and thus latent heat of fusion is at least partially re-absorbed by secondary refrigerant, thus increasing secondary heat absorbed from material and facilitating refrigeration thereof. The system also provides defrost and heat reclaim capabilities.

Abstract: Systems for phase-change particulate slurry cooling equipment and methods to induce hypothermia in a patient through internal and external cooling are provided. Subcutaneous, intravascular, intraperitoneal, gastrointestinal, and lung methods of cooling are carried out using saline ice slurries or other phase-change slurries compatible with human tissue. Perfluorocarbon slurries or other slurry types compatible with human tissue are used for pulmonary cooling. And traditional external cooling methods are improved by utilizing phase-change slurry materials in cooling caps and torso blankets.

Abstract: A method of continuous production of ice-solution suspension wherein the solution being continuously fed (7) to the processing zone (6) is overcooled: then, the turbulization (14) is performed in the overcooled solution; as a result, ice microcrystalls are formed in the solution; after that, the formed ice-solution suspension is removed (8) from the processing zone, in doing this, the said turbulization is chosen with such intensity that the formed ice microcrystalls mass transfer balance will be positive, considering their adhesion on the internal surfaces in processing zone. An installation (1) for continuous production of ice-solution suspension is also described.

Abstract: Systems for phase-change particulate slurry cooling equipment and methods to induce hypothermia in a patient through internal and external cooling are provided. Subcutaneous, intravascular, intraperitoneal, gastrointestinal, and lung methods of cooling are carried out using saline ice slurries or other phase-change slurries compatible with human tissue. Perfluorocarbon slurries or other slurry types compatible with human tissue are used for pulmonary cooling. And traditional external cooling methods are improved by utilizing phase-change slurry materials in cooling caps and torso blankets.

Abstract: A two-stage refrigeration system includes an intermediate slurry tank for receiving and storing a refrigerant vapor and a slurry of solid sublimatable refrigerant particles in a liquid. The intermediate slurry tank has a first outlet for outflow of the slurry from the tank, a second outlet for outflow of the refrigerant vapor, a first inlet for receiving at least the liquid, and a second inlet for receiving the refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes a compression system having a first low pressure inlet and second intermediate pressure inlet, and having a high pressure outlet. A conduit connects the second outlet of the intermediate slurry tank to the intermediate pressure inlet of the compression system so as to compress the vapor with less energy than would be needed to compress low pressure refrigerant vapor.

Abstract: A method for the refrigerated transportation of a product introduced into a hollow-walled refrigerated container.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering aqueous ice slurry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ice slurry delivery system includes a storage tank having an inlet to receive an aqueous ice slurry from an ice generating unit. A circulation loop is connected to the storage tank. Ice slurry held in the storage tank flows through the circulation loop generally continuously at a first rate. Valved discharge points are located along the circulation loop at spaced locations and are operable to re-direct some of the ice slurry flowing though the circulation loop to deliver ice slurry for end use upon demand. The rate of flow of ice slurry through the discharge points is less than the first rate even when all of the discharge points are re-directing ice slurry for end use.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus, such as a consumer display unit (400), comprises a covered tray (403) or other compartment for accommodating consumer product to be kept cool, and a housing (420) for accommodating a replaceable charge of dry ice out of contact with the product. A tubular element (421) communicates between the covered tray and the housing (420) to allow cold air and carbon dioxide to flow from the dry ice to the product.

Abstract: Air conditioning system and method in which a refrigerant from a compressor is circulated through a cooling element within a hermetically sealed, thermally insulated cooling compartment to cool a fluid within the compartment, and transferring the cooled fluid out of the compartment for use in cooling a space. In one disclosed embodiment, the fluid which is cooled is air which is blown out of the compartment into the space to be cooled. In another disclosed embodiment, the fluid is a coolant which is contained within a vertically extending tube that extends both within the compartment and through a heat exchanger positioned beneath the compartment, with air being cooled by blowing it through the heat exchanger and then into the space to be cooled.

Abstract: A phase change ice particulate perfluorocarbon slurry and a method and apparatus are provided for producing phase change particulate perfluorocarbon slurries. A known amount of perfluorocarbon liquid is provided. A set percentage of a phase change liquid and optionally other additives, such as oxygen or other cell protectants are added to the known amount of perfluorocarbon liquid. The phase change liquid and the perfluorocarbon liquid are mixed to produce an emulsion of small droplets of the phase change liquid in the perfluorocarbon liquid. The emulsion is cooled to produce the phase change particulate perfluorocarbon slurry. A phase change ice particulate perfluorocarbon slurry comprises a known amount of perfluorocarbon liquid and a set percentage of a phase change liquid added to the known amount of perfluorocarbon liquid. An emulsion is formed by the set percentage of a phase change liquid and the known amount of perfluorocarbon liquid.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering aqueous ice slurry is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ice slurry delivery system includes a storage tank having an inlet to receive an aqueous ice slurry from an ice generating unit. A circulation loop is connected to the storage tank. Ice slurry held in the storage tank flows through the circulation loop generally continuously at a first rate. Valved discharge points are located along the circulation loop at spaced locations and are operable to re-direct some of the ice slurry flowing though the circulation loop to deliver ice slurry for end use upon demand. The rate of flow of ice slurry through the discharge points is less than the first rate even when all of the discharge points are re-directing ice slurry for end use.

Abstract: A flooded thermal energy storage tank holds an agglomerated ice mass that is fully submerged in water by a counterbuoyant top. The thermal energy stored in the tank is used to satisfy a cyclical thermal cooling load that is uncoupled from the power supply that produces the ice for the tank. A water supply loop for supplying cold water to the thermal load assures that the relatively colder water in the tank is supplied by withdrawing the water from an upper location within the ice mass. The supply loop also assures that water returned from the load to the tank is recooled by the ice mass in a thermodynamically efficient manner. The essential symmetry of the ice mass is retained during repetitive ice mass melting and rebuilding in an operational cycle to assure continual stability of the ice mass and tank top.

Abstract: Chilling ice is formed in the upper portion of a container by initially replacing ambient atmosphere within said container with an atmosphere comprising, substantially, chilled CO.sub.2 gas and thereafter discharging substantially horizontally oppositely directed and spaced apart impinging jets of liquid CO.sub.2 and water within said container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling foodstuff to a temperature of less than 40.degree. F. within the legally mandated time of 4 hours which consists of a refrigeration apparatus capable of forming a bank of ice and means for circulating water over the ice and through an enclosure in heat conductive relationship with a container holding the foodstuff to be cooled.

Abstract: The method stores heat in ice by freezing water through its direct contact with a hardly-water-soluble refrigerant; i.e., water is mixed with the refrigerant at a high pressure to produce a liquid mixture while preventing evaporation of the refrigerant, and the liquid mixture is jetted from a nozzle into a space at a lower pressure, whereby the refrigerant evaporates at the lower pressure and the water in the liquid mixture is frozen into sherbet-like ice and dispersed over a wider area than in the case of non-sherbert-like ice. A device based on the method uses a heat-insulating water tank whose top space above water level therein is kept at a pressure P2 lower than saturation pressure P0 (P2<P0) of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree.C. A mixer mixes the refrigerant of liquid phase and water at a pressure P1 which is higher than the saturation pressure P0 of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree.C.

Abstract: The method stores heat in ice by freezing water through its direct contact with a hardly-water-soluble refrigerant; i.e., water is mixed with the refrigerant at a high pressure to produce a liquid mixture while preventing evaporation of the refrigerant, and the liquid mixture is jetted from a nozzle into a space at a lower pressure, whereby the refrigerant evaporates at the lower pressure and the water in the liquid mixture is frozen into sherbet-like ice and dispersed over a wider area than in the case of non-sherbert-like ice. A device based on the method uses a heat-insulating water tank whose top space above water level therein is kept at a pressure P2 lower than saturation pressure P0 (P2<P0) of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree. C. A mixer mixes the refrigerant of liquid phase and water at a pressure P1 which is higher than the saturation pressure P0 of the refrigerant for water freezing point 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A phase change material cooled mirror arrangement includes a mirror substrate which has a reflective front major surface and a rear major surface. The mirror is cooled by advancing at least one rod of a solid phase change material toward the rear major surface of the mirror substrate for gradual melting of the material at the rear major surface by heat absorbed from the substrate with attendant cooling of the latter, at an advancement speed sufficient for the solid phase change material to make up for the amount of such material that has been transformed into liquid by the melting thereof. The liquid phase change material is then removed from the vicinity of the substrate and possibly resolidified and added to the trailing end of the rod in a recirculating system.

Abstract: An ice thermal storage apparatus that uses ice as a thermal storage material, wherein without using a brine that is a heat transfer medium for chilling water to form ice, a thermal storage material in the form of an aqueous solution to which an additive is added so that supercooling can be secured stably is supercooled to the freezing point or below directly by a refrigerating apparatus, the supercooled aqueous solution is made into ice in the form of sherbet by a desupercooling apparatus over a thermal storage tank, and the remaining thermal storage material having the freezing temperature that has not been made into ice is sent again into the refrigerating apparatus to form a cycle so that ice can be formed in the thermal storage tank continuously.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of making and delivering slush ice includes providing a main housing (28) having a floor (30) and substantially cylindrical sidewalls (32). The housing (28) includes a water inlet (58) and an ice inlet (26). A pump (34) having a delivery outlet (50) is positioned to have an inlet (44) substantially centered axially within the housing (28) and spaced a predetermined distance from the floor (30). A delivery conduit (52) extends from the delivery outlet (50) of the pump (34) to a second end (72, 88) remote therefrom. A rotating agitator member (54, 54') having an axis of rotation substantially centered co-axially within the housing (28) is positioned such that the agitator (54, 54') swirls ice and water in the housing (28) substantially around the pump inlet (44). The pump (34) draws ice and water through the inlet (44) and delivers a mixture of ice and water in the form of slush ice (16) through the delivery outlet (50).

Abstract: A tube type freezing unit of the present invention employs as a low-temperature heat accumulating material an aqueous solution of bromide of a low concentration. A plurality of thin tubes are accommodated in a shell, and a non-freezing liquid or a refrigerant is passed into the shell around the tubes. A sherbet-like slush is generated in a freezing mode by filling the tubes with the aqueous solution of bromide of a low concentration which serves as the low-temperature heat accumulating solution and then by passing a non-freezing liquid having a temperature of about -5.degree. C. or a refrigerant whose vaporization temperature is about -5.degree. C. around the tubes which contain the aqueous solution of bromide in a stationary state. The aqueous solution of bromide does not freeze. So, the sherbet-like slush is generated in the solution. An aqueous solution of bromide of a low concentration has a freezing point of about -1.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling fish on board a ship is provided. This apparatus includes an ice-making machine for producing fine particles of ice in a brine solution. Coupled to this ice-making machine are means for directing ice from the machine to either a vessel containing brine solution or to a catch of fish. A method of cooling fish comprising producing a slurry of fine particles in brine solution in an ice-making zone and directing the fine ice particles onto either a catch of fish or into a vessel containing brine solution is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a marinecraft refrigeration and delivery ice product system having means for the delivery of ice product to remote vertical and horizontal locations in the marinecraft.

Abstract: An ice storage and distribution unit includes an ice storage and separation vessel for storing a slurry of ice and solution and separating the ice from the solution. An inlet slurry of ice and solution is introduced into the ice storage and separation vessel through an ice slurry inlet. The slurry separates into a bed of ice and a liquid bath of solution in the vessel. An agitator is disposed within the vessel for agitating the bed of ice to obtain substantially free-flowing ice. Ice is then discharged from the vessel through an ice outlet.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and a method for making slush ice. A liquid is directed to flow over a hot exchanger to cool the liquid and form slush. By selecting the constituents of the liquid such that the adhesion and cohesion forces are controlled to permit harvesting the slush while substantially all of the energy required by conventional harvesting cycles is saved.

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: The apparatus comprises an enclosure for receiving ice chips and water and a specially designed and dimensioned mixer in the form of a vertical shaft passing into the enclosure and supporting two sets of four turbine blades each. Further, the interior of the enclosure includes baffles spaced radially inwardly from the interior wall to leave a small gap between the wall and each baffle. The resulting violent agitation enables the provision of "liquid ice" without any necessity to add salt as has been required in the past.

Abstract: A chemical refrigeration system utilizes the endothermic reaction of chemicals such as potassium chloride dissolved in water to refrigerate the water. To achieve a large drop in water temperature, plural stages of endothermic reactions are utilized in a plurality of chillers to chill the water in increments. Heat exchangers are also provided in recirculation paths of the chillers to increase efficiency. The system will operate successfully in the zero gravity conditions of outer space.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing frosted cocktails and other frosted drinks. The drinks consist of a slush containing a liquid, frozen crystals of the liquid and other ingredients. The slush is circulated continuously between a freezing station and a dispensing head, and the product is available for delivery in relatively large quantities at all times.

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: A snow horn device for dispensing carbon dioxide snow in the form of a ribbon of substantially uniform width includes a conduit into which liquid CO.sub.2 is expanded to form solid and gaseous carbon dioxide which in turn is directed as a stream into a curved horn section of increasing, rectangular cross sectional area. The gaseous and solid CO.sub.2 stream is deflected to the outer curved portion of the horn section, and ambient atmosphere is introduced therein to create a pressure differential that causes solid CO.sub.2 to be spread evenly along the outer curved section. Alternately, the inner and outer curved horn sections are warmed by a flow of liquid CO.sub.2 which prevents solid CO.sub.2 from sticking to the curved surfaces. Solid carbon dioxide is discharged from the outlet of the horn section onto a moving surface in the form of a ribbon having a width approximately equal to the width of the horn section and at a uniform depth.

Abstract: A slush ice maker includes a fluid chiller having water circulation tubes in which water flowing therethrough is deeply cooled to about 32.degree. F., a water conduit system coupled with the chiller and including a high pressure pump for pumping water through the tubes at a pressure of about 2 to 4 atmospheres and at a velocity in excess of 9 ft. per second to effect the formation of ice crystals in the water so as to define the slush ice. The ice and water mixture is discharged into an ice accumulation tank maintained at atmospheric pressure so that the formation of ice crystals are enhanced when the pressure of the slush ice is reduced to atmospheric at the tank.

Abstract: A device for dispensing carbon dioxide snow in the form of a ribbon includes a conduit into which liquid CO.sub.2 is expanded to form solid and gaseous carbon dioxide which in turn is directed as a stream into a curved horn section of increasing, rectangular cross sectional area. The gaseous and solid CO.sub.2 stream is deflected to the outer curved portion of the horn section and ambient atmosphere is introduced therein to create a pressure differential that causes solid CO.sub.2 to be spread evenly along the outer curved section. Solid carbon dioxide is discharged from the outlet of the horn section onto a moving surface in the form of a ribbon having a width approximately equal to the width of the horn section and at a uniform depth. Ribbons of such solid carbon dioxide may be formed on conveyor belts of freezing tunnels to enable refrigeration to be applied to the underside of items placed on such ribbons of CO.sub.2 snow.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide snow generator is disclosed which has a purge conduit for controllably delivering a blast of pressurized fluid at the inner surfaces of the generator to dislodge and remove any residual or clogging deposits of carbon dioxide snow. A vapor loop for such a generator is also disclosed which provides an initial blast of relatively warm carbon dioxide gas at startup which gas entrains and removes any residual liquid before it can freeze in the apparatus.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus which produces ice and pure water obtained by thawing the ice, and having a refrigeration compartment for foods and beverages which is cooled indirectly by the low temperature of the ice and pure water. Ice produced by an ice-making unit is allowed to fall on the refrigeration compartment which is partially surrounded by a storage tank for collecting pure water obtained when the fallen ice is thawed by heat exchange with the refrigeration compartment. Foods cooled indirectly by the ice and cold pure water are prevented from drying and excessive cooling.

Abstract: The liquid ice system comprises an icing machine in the form of a compartment for receiving water and ice. Pulverizing means are provided for crushing the ice and uniquely oriented paddles stir the water and ice mixture to maintain a homogeneous mixture of liquid ice. A circulating conduit is provided in combination with a conveyor system and ice applicator devices connected to a portion of the conduit supported on an overhead structure of the conveyor. Boxes of vegetables or poultry are appropriately refrigerated for shipment by applying liquid ice to the boxes as they pass along the conveyor. Switches may be provided for automatically actuating the ice applicators when the box passes therebeneath.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an expendable refrigerant which is emitted from a snow horn at a low velocity thereby enabling snow agglomeration at a close proximity to the horn exit and accurately delivering a charge of snow with minimum vapor loss. The desired snow is produced by introduction of the relatively warm liquid refrigerant into an insulated compartment and in heat exchange relation with a tube therein having a plurality of length/diameter ratios. The liquid refrigerant is effective to warm the tube walls and results in a slight cooling of such liquid which is then passed to a subcooler and returned to the tube inlet for expansion in several stages therein to form the snow. The product snow is emitted from this horn at a relatively low velocity and may be accurately directed into cavities of such products as eviscerated fowl.