Abstract: A process for purifying water via freezing is disclosed. The process may include: contacting an aqueous mixture with a flotation medium, wherein the flotation medium has a density greater than or equal to the density of ice or hydrate and less than the density of the aqueous mixture or concentrated brine at its freezing point; reducing the temperature of the aqueous mixture to a temperature equal to or below the freezing point of the aqueous mixture to form ice or hydrate and a concentrate; phase separating the concentrate and the flotation medium; recovering the concentrate; and recovering the ice or hydrate and flotation medium as a slurry. Upon melting, phase separation of the resultant water from the flotation medium may provide a purified water product.