Abstract: The invention concerns a device for storing a two-phase coolant fluid (4) designed to circulate in a heat transfer circuit (10), comprising: a compartment (2) for storing and regenerating the two-phase coolant fluid; at least an indirect heat exchange means (6) between a refrigerant and the coolant fluid (4); a circulating means (8) to circulate the coolant fluid (4) in the heat transfer circuit (10); a two-phase recycling and cooling circuit for the coolant fluid (4). Said device comprises: another compartment for ice slurry conditioning (20), connected to the heat transfer circuit (10); means for introducing part of the coolant fluid (4), enriched in solid phase, into said other compartment; a drawpoint (24) on the storage and regeneration compartment (2), and means for injecting (26, 28) the coolant fluid in liquid phase, into said other compartment; and a mixing member, co-operating with said other compartment.

Abstract: Unit for distribution and/or collection of cold and/or of heat, including: (a) a main exchanger (1) of heat between a refrigerant fluid (2, 21, 22) and a heat transfer fluid (3); (b) a means for producing cold with a means for heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid; (c) a closed main circuit (3) for continuous free circulation of the heat transfer fluid; (d) at least one heat transfer fluid drawing loop (7 to 11); characterized in that the flow cross-section of the main circuit (3), the maximum refrigerating power of the means for producing cold, Pmax, expressed in W, and the main heat exchanger (1) are sized relative to one another in order to satisfy, in operation, approximately the relationship: P.sub.Max =f.sub.m .times.c.times..DELTA.T, in which: f.sub.m is the mass flow rate of the heat transfer fluid, expressed in kg/s; c is the mass heat of the heat transfer fluid, in liquid form, expressed in J/kg/.degree.K.; .DELTA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for heat exchange between a refrigerant in the course of vaporization and a fluid to be cooled in the course of freezing. According to the invention, the device comprises a conduit for the fluid to be cooled, a shell making, around the conduit, a chamber for the passage of the refrigerant, and a mechanical means for separating, from the wall of the conduit, any solid phase of the fluid to be cooled, consisting of a rotor provided with radial and flexible filaments. The invention applies in particular to the production of homogeneous mixtures of water and ice.

Abstract: Method for storing a coolant fluid comprising two phases of one and the same substance in melting equilibrium, according to which an enclosure for storing said fluid is used in which the coolant fluid stored settles into a lower liquid layer and an upper solid layer, the coolant fluid to be stored is introduced into the enclosure at the level of the lower layer, and the coolant fluid to be removed from storage is extracted from the enclosure at the level of the upper layer, wherein, in combination, on the one hand, a gaseous headspace is set up between the upper layer and the upper wall of the enclosure and, on the other hand, the coolant fluid to be removed from storage is extracted, from a withdrawal zone located at the level of the interface between the upper layer and the gaseous headspace, through a vertical flow by generating a vortex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for cold transfer. According to the invention, in an intermediate loop (2) a cold-bearing fluid being in diphasic form, that is, a homogeneous mixture of water and ice, for example. This fluid is heat exchanged, on the one hand with a primary source of cold, and on the other hand with the various secondary sources of heat represented by each enclosure (1) to be cooled. the invention is adaptable to the thermal control of a vinification process.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for controlling the temperature of various phases in the winemaking process by means of a heat-exchanging fluid circulating in at least one flexible exchanger, the thermoregulating action of which is exerted in a horizontal plane to favor stratification of the temperatures.The apparatus comprises at least one removable heat exchanger consisting of a flexible or semirigid tubular structure made of a neutral material whose density is less than the density of the winemaking juice. The structure is placed in a horizontal plane in the winemaking vat.