Method and apparatus for generating an ice crystal suspension
AssigneeSulzer Brothers Limited
InventorChristian Ehrsam
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Abstract
The apparatus employs a compressor for compressing a flow of water vapor with an ethanol additive and a condensation chamber in which the compressed water vapor may be condensed to form ice crystals. A coolant circuit in provided in the condensation chamber to melt the ice crystals from the heat exchange surfaces for subsequent formation of primary ice in a bottom chamber. A recirculation circuit is provided to convey the primary ice into a freeze drying chamber for freeze-drying of the vapor at the triple point. The resulting product is passed to a water separator prior to ultimate use.
Claims20
A method of generating an ice crystal suspension comprising the steps of
- compressing a flow of water vapor;
- admixing a water-soluble additive having a lower boiling point than water with the compressed vapor to obtain a mixture of water and additive;
- cooling the mixture in heat exchange relation with a flow of coolant to a triple point thereof;
- condensing the cooled mixture and at least partially freezing the mixture to obtain a heterogeneous mixture of ice particles and liquid;
- and
- thereafter freeze-drying at least a portion of the mixture of ice particles and liquid at the triple point thereof to form an ice crystal suspension.
An apparatus for generating an ice crystal suspension comprising
- a first cooling chamber having heat transferring surfaces therein for receiving a flow of compressed water vapor containing a water-soluble additive having a lower boiling point than water in indirect heat exchange relation with a flow of coolant to condense and at least partially freeze out ice particles on said surfaces;
- at least one compressor for delivering a compressed flow of water vapor into said first chamber;
- a second chamber connected to said first chamber for forming an ice-containing suspension from the ice received from said first chamber;
- and
- a third chamber for receiving a flow of the ice-containing suspension from said second chamber for freeze-drying therein to generate an ice crystal suspension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.