Process cooling system and method using seawater

A method for producing cold heat for cooling a process comprising:

• pumping seawater at a selected depth;
• cooling the seawater to create a mixture of ice and brine;
• separating the ice from the brine;
• and
• obtaining cold heat for the process by thawing the ice.

A process cooling system for producing cold heat to cool a process, comprising:

• a pumping station comprising:
• a line system for obtaining seawater at a selected depth and for directing the seawater to an onshore cooling plant,
• a refrigeration circuit with a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates in an evaporation stage, and
• at least a first heat exchanger in said evaporation stage to freeze a portion of the seawater in the line system with the refrigerant;
• and
• a cooling plant connected to the line system to receive the frozen portion of seawater, the cooling plant comprising:
• at least a first separation tank for further separating the frozen portion of seawater from brine, and
• at least a second heat exchanger to cool the process by heat exchange with the frozen portion of seawater.