Abstract: A method of producing ice while substantially reducing encapsulation of refrigerant in the ice by feeding a liquefied refrigerant in the form of a jet of very fine droplets to an aqueous body whereby the liquefied refrigerant is very rapidly vaporized and ice is produced, by transfer of heat from the adjacent water to the refrigerant, without encapsulating any significant amount of refrigerant in the ice. The refrigerant within the feeding device is desirably at a temperature above the freezing point of the aqueous body so as to prevent ice from forming on refrigerant feeding devices and blocking outlet orifices therein. Apparatus for producing ice in an aqueous body comprising a closed vessel for holding an aqueous body; a device for feeding a liquefied refrigerant in the form of very fine droplets to an aqueous body in the vessel; a conduit for feeding an aqueous liquid into the vessel; and a conduit for withdrawing an aqueous ice slurry and refrigerant vapor from the vessel.

Abstract: A method for the production of microfine frozen particles comprises filling a vessel with a cold gas which may be a cooled gas or mixed gas obtainable by mechanical refrigeration of a refrigerant gas, air, or the like, atomizing a material to be frozen, such as water, into the cold gas so that the atomized particles become frozen by heat exchange with the cold gas, and collecting the fine frozen particles thus produced.

Abstract: A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a water swellable polymer, preferably polyacrylamid, to approximately 50%-70% of the maximum water retention capacity of the polymer, aerating the mixture and freezing the mixture to produce snow crystals. The snow crystals are laid on a refrigerated floor to form a skiing slope.

Abstract: The method of repetitively making discrete blocks of ice which is performed with apparatus having a plurality of adjacently disposed ice freezing pockets formed with a refrigeration evaporator as the base of each pocket of the pockets, horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart evaporator fins as the sides of the pockets, and horizontally pivotal vertical plates as the ends of the pockets. A refrigeration apparatus is provided to alternately freeze the refrigeration evaporator of the ice freezing pockets and very quickly and very briefly heat the refrigeration evaporator directly to loosen the ice blocks from the freezing pockets. Apparatus is provided to apply a force to the vertical plates until the immediate surfaces of the ice blocks are melted and loosened from the freezing pockets. The vertical plates thereon move the ice blocks within the freezing pockets, then are rapidly returned to an initial position which ejects the ice blocks completely from the freezing pockets.

Abstract: Chilling or freezing a substance into small pellets is disclosed. A substance such as liquid egg falls gently from only a small height onto the surface (12) of liquid nitrogen. The discharge nozzle (13) is prevented from freezing up by a flow of ambient or heated air over it. The surface of the boiling nitrogen is kept smooth by imparting a velocity to the nitrogen with an impeller (20) or by running the nitrogen along a trough. The pellets are consistent as to final temperature, and the process is efficient as to nitrogen use. The process can be used with other thick, creamy substances.

Abstract: A method for accelerating the freezing of sea water by two different, but related approaches. One involves the use of fluorinated or fluorochemical surfactants, other surfactants with specific activity in saline water, and the other by treatment with ice nucleation agents or the use of both. The specific application for the process is construction of improved load bearing ice structures as used in Arctic regions in supprot of hydrocarbon exploration and production activities.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuous freeze drying in which a slurry of material to be freeze dried is provided. The slurry is advanced along a predetermined path having a freezing area in which one or more plugs of frozen slurry are provided to afford a pressure drop. Heat is applied to the frozen slurry as it exits into an area of reduced pressure. The heat and reduced pressure cause the frozen slurry to sublime.

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: An artificial iceberg is constructed in an area near the ocean, which has a plentiful supply of fresh water and a climate in which the temperature remains below freezing for extended periods of time. An air pocket is created by fixing a sheet of plastic to a suitable base. Fresh water is then sprayed in layers atop the air pocket until the desired thickness is obtained. Said artificial iceberg will also have tow ropes and Horizontal Drift Eliminators (H.D.E.) implanted during manufacture to facilitate transportation on large bodies of water.

Abstract: An improved method for producing an ice layer suitable for ship model ice tests on a water surface by means of a spraying process is presented. Said improvement comprises the steps of creating a low-temperature atmosphere above said water surface, forming said ice layer by spraying water freezing in said atmosphere, leading said freezing spray onto said water surface, and continuing said spraying process to form thereby the entire or at least substantially the entire ice layer on said water surface.

Abstract: A machine for making ice flakes by freezing sea or fresh water, comprises a fixed central core and a plurality of fixed pipes surrounding the core for containing a circulating refrigerant. A hollow rotatable cylindrical drum coaxial with the core surrounds the pipes; and an anti-freeze liquid freezing lower than water substantially fills the space between the core and the drum. A spray manifold for water to be frozen extends horizontally full length of the drum and feeds a horizontal series of spaced spray nozzles that spray the water on the drum. The sprayed water then moves downwardly with the drum and then upwardly and then downwardly again; but before reaching the region of the nozzles, that is, shortly before completing one full revolution, a knife that rides on the surface of the drum scrapes the ice flakes off the drum.

Abstract: A process for making slush is disclosed including the steps of delivering liquid nitrogen in mid-air from a horizontal spray nozzle, and delivering a liquid to be slushed also in mid-air from a plurality of spray nozzles spaced equidistant from each other and equidistant from the horizontal nozzle delivering the liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: An ice product is disclosed having improved liquid displacement characteristics and which is of a configuration which provides for splash resistance and resistance to bridging between adjacently stored products. The apparatus and method for producing the improved ice product is disclosed in the form of an ice making machine having one or more combination evaporator and ice form assemblies, each of the assemblies being provided with a plurality of pockets or recesses in which the ice product is formed during a freezing or refrigeration cycle, the ice products being subsequently discharged to an associated storage area during a subsequent harvest cycle.

Abstract: At least two incompatible solutions are simultaneously charged into a container maintained at a temperature substantially below the freezing temperature of each solution in such predetermined amounts that the separate charges of solution freeze on the walls and are then lyophilized.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel cold source for a Rankine cycle system which employs the use of cold seasonal temperatures to form an ice bed and which allows insulation of said ice bed from warm seasonal temperatures, the cold source comprising a container having an insulated side wall and an insulated bottom; a ventilated top wall mounted above said side wall, said top wall permitting a flow of external air to said container; means associated with said top wall for controlling the flow of external air to said reservoir; an insulated cover mounted on said top wall, a grate extending across said reservoir above said bottom defining a space for containment of a body of water; and means associated with said reservoir for spraying water into said reservoir. The invention also provides a novel turbine, condenser and evaporator assembly, and a magnetically-actuated fluid pump which may also be used for Rankine Cycle Systems.

Abstract: The invention resides in a method of producing artificial snow directly from ice, for ski slopes. Ice is formed on a surface exposed to an ambient temperature at or below the freezing temperature of water by flowing water onto the surface. The rate of water deposition is controlled such that all of the water deposited on the surface freezer before additional water is deposited thereon. The ice is then comminuted into snow-like particles and distributed onto the slope.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a process and apparatus for in-line slush making, for use in, for example, concrete cooling. The improvement comprises connecting the inlet used to convey liquid such as water to the manifold section of the lance so that its longitudinal axis forms an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inlet for introducing a cryogen into the lance. This improvement substantially eliminates failure to properly make slush due to a build-up of ice within the means used to control the flow of cryogen to the system. Additional improvements to the apparatus comprise substantially aligning the sealed head of the manifold with the longitudinal axis of the inlet for conveying the liquid to the lance to eliminate and to prevent freeze-up of the liquid in the dead space found in the "T" lance design of the prior art.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a flowable liquid-solid mixture comprising a continuous liquid phase and a discontinuous solid phase comprised of discrete, frozen particles of the liquid, which process flowing a stream of the liquid through a closed conduit, introducing a cryogen into the closed conduit and into the flowing liquid stream so as to flow concurrently therewith, whereby the liquid-solid mixture is formed, and discharging the mixture from the conduit.

Abstract: A process for producing a flowable liquid-solid mixture by freezing a portion of a flowing liquid stream through direct contacting with a cryogen to form a "slush" comprised of discrete particles of frozen solid in the liquid stream.

Abstract: In a method and machine for making artificial snow of the type which includes a blower for providing a substantially unidirectional high-volume air stream and a plurality of nozzles for directing water spray into the air stream, the improvement wherein the water nozzles are grouped in an arcuate array entirely above the centerline of the air stream, and wherein a deflector is disposed in the air stream to direct a lower portion of the air stream upwardly toward the nozzles. A seeder nozzle is disposed in the "shadow" of the deflector and directs a water/air mixture upwardly at an angle into the air stream to form seed crystals.

Abstract: An artificial ice structure for use as, for example, a base for oilfield operations or a road, is constructed in an offshore frigid environment where the water is covered by a sheet of floating ice. A berm or dike enclosing a predetermined area is built on the ice sheet to contain flood water and a trench is cut through the ice sheet around the perimeter of the dike to separate the predetermined area from the parent ice sheet and thereby form an island. The island of predetermined area is flooded with water and the water is allowed to freeze and weight the island down until essentially the entire ice mass of the island is resting on the ground underlying the body of water. After the structure is grounded, flooding with water is continued until the island has sufficient mass, in combination with other defensive measures, to resist the forces imposed by movement of the surrounding fast ice.

Abstract: To melt an iceberg once it has been brought to a tropical region where it is to act as a source of fresh water, use is made of the warm breezes of such tropical regions. Droplets of an artificial rain of cold fresh water are caused to drop through the warm air, thereby extracting heat from it. This heat is used to melt the iceberg. Preferably the cold fresh water comes from a pool of cold fresh water on the surface of the iceberg, and the artificial rain falls back into the pool. At night this method can also condense extra water from the air.

Abstract: A system for preparing liquid biological substances, such as blood, blood components or cell suspensions for deep freezing which comprises atomizing a protective additive and dripping the biological substance into the stream of the atomized protective substance which is then collected in a receptacle and deep frozen. The system provides an effective way of intimately mixing the protective substance with the biological material to ensure a homogeneous distribution of the protective agent therein.

Abstract: In a method and machine for making artificial snow of the type which includes a blower for providing a substantially unidirectional high-volume air stream and a plurality of nozzles for directing water spray into the air stream, the improvement wherein the water nozzles are grouped in an arcuate array entirely above the centerline of the air stream, and wherein a deflector is disposed in the air stream to direct a lower portion of the air stream upwardly toward the nozzles. A seeder nozzle is disposed in the "shadow" of the deflector and directs a water/air mixture upwardly at an angle into the air stream to form seed crystals.

Abstract: The present method may be employed to reduce the temperature of water including chilling or freezing the water to produce ice and slush and simultaneously therewith keeping the water in motion, as from one container to another, without the use of a circulating pump. Liquid carbon dioxide is used as an expendable refrigerant by releasing same continuously beneath the water and then the activity of the conversion of the carbon dioxide changing from a liquid to a solid and gas is applied in a confined space to circulate the water as a liquid heat exchange medium.The basic apparatus comprises a large container of water in which are one or more conduits or stacks at the bottom of which are holes admitting the water to be chilled. A CO.sub.2 nozzle receives liquid CO.sub.2 and a pressurized supply tank discharges the CO.sub.2 as a solid and gas through the nozzle which receives the CO.sub.

Abstract: The liquid material to be frozen is separated into successive drops, each of which is subjected to an electric field of sufficient strength so as to induce on each drop an electric charge, the charges all being of the same polarity. The charged drops are sequentially directed at a controlled rate onto the surface of a cryogenic liquid where they momentarily float while being changed to a solid frozen state. During this interval the electric charges, being of like polarity, produce repulsive forces in accordance with Coulomb's Law which keep the drops apart so that they freeze and sink as individual pellets. The lack of agglomeration enables the pellets to be more rapidly and uniformly frozen and more rapidly and uniformly thawed for use at a later time. In this way, substances vulnerable to deterioration can be preserved for prolonged periods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making artificial snow at ambient temperatures substantially exceeding the freezing point of water. The apparatus comprises a mixing chamber surrounded by a thermally insulated jacket to insulate the chamber from the ambient atmosphere. Means are provided for supplying water in the form of atomized droplets to the chamber. Other means are provided for supplying compressed air to the chamber for expansion therein. Cooling means are provided for substantially cooling the compressed air so that when it expands it is effective to reduce the temperature of the water droplets substantially below the freezing point of water such that said droplets instanty freeze to form artificial snow. The cooling means comprises a Vortex tube which is provided with compressed air. The Vortex tube is operative for causing the compressed air to flow in a gyratory, helical motion therethrough such that a portion of the air exits the tube at temperatures well below 0.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention involves applying a warm coffee extract onto a freezing surface in a plurality of layers until a desired thickness is obtained. Thus applied, there is continual melting and refreezing of the extract. This permits the formation of large ice crystals whereby the finished product is darker and more coffee-like in color. Overall efficiency of the freezing process is also increased allowing higher productivity rates.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a soft food mix, such as soft ice cream, combined with a gas mixture such as a food grade fluorocarbon and nitrous oxide whereby the mix is injected into a saturation tower as atomized particles. A source of gases above atmospheric pressure is also connected to the tower so that the injected particles mix with the gas and fall to the bottom of the tower where they are removed and coupled to a conventional pressurized container filler. To improve consistency the saturated mix in the bottom of the tower is recirculated by a pump and injected against a barrier near the top to fall again through the pressurized gases. A pump controlled by sensors within the tower is connected between a mix tank and the tower to be controlled by the sensors to maintain a range of saturated mix in the tower with a heat exchanger removing any heat so added. A valve is disposed between the filler and tower and controlled by a further sensor to prevent draining the tower.