Abstract: Frozen beverages having a desired viscosity (consistency) are produced using a parameter representative of the change between unfrozen and frozen states of the beverage to control cooling of the beverage. The parameter may be the pressure or temperature of the beverage in a freeze cylinder 7 where circulation of coolant to cool the beverage is controlled by a control unit 14 in response to a pressure or temperature sensor 28.

Abstract: Frozen carbonated beverage apparatus and method is illustrated, and has a freeze chamber in which beverage is frozen wherein the addition of beverage to the freeze chamber is controlled in response to pressure in the freeze chamber. Controlling the addition of unfrozen beverage to the freeze chamber in response to the pressure provides a method of controlling the beverage in the freeze chamber. As freeze chamber pressure falls to a pre-determined lower pressure, beverage is added to the freeze chamber until a pre-determined upper pressure. Beverage may be added to the freeze cylinder at a rate that matches the cooling rate of the beverage within the freeze chamber so that unfrozen beverage added to the freeze chamber is rapidly frozen and does not significantly alter the viscosity (consistency) of the frozen carbonated beverage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing build-up of deposits on internal surfaces (6) of a water heater (1). A heat shock treatment is periodically applied to the surfaces (6) resulting in differential thermal expansion and/or contraction between the internal surfaces (6) and deposits (7) adhering thereto that causes the deposits (7) to crack and break away from the surfaces (6). The heat shock treatment may include the step of alternatively heating and cooling the internal surfaces (6) in any order and may be repeated one or more times. The internal surfaces (6) may be low friction surfaces to reduce adhesion between the surfaces (6) and any deposits (7) that facilitates removal of the deposits (7) during the heat shock treatment.