Apparatus, process and system for tube and whip rod heat exchanger

A thermal storage system using a liquid that can be frozen comprising

• A. an apparatus for freezing or chilling a liquid comprising
• i) a stationary heat transfer tube formed of a material with a high heat transfer property, adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen or chilled within said heat transfer tube with the liquid at its inner surface,
• ii) refrigeration means for withdrawing heat from said liquid through said heat transfer tube,
• iii) at least one whip rod disposed within said heat transfer tube and,
• iv) a positive mechanical drive connected between and source of motive power and said at least one whip rod, said positive mechanical drive causing said at least one whip rod to orbit over about said inner surface to control the deposit of said frozen liquid on said inner surface,
• B. a tank to sore the slurry produced by said apparatus,
• C. frozen liquid melting means within said tank,
• D. and means to use the stored cold by circulating liquid from the tank bottom through a heat exchanger to cool another fluid.

A process for freezing or chilling a liquid comprising,

• providing a heat exchanger tube of a material with a high heat transfer property,
• introducing the liquid to the inside of said heat transfer tube so that it flows through the tube and is in thermal connection with the inner surface of said heat exchange tube,
• refrigerating the outer surface of said heat exchange tube concurrently with said liquid flow, whereby heat flows through the heat exchange tube from the liquid,
• placing at least one whip rod in the heat exchange tube, and positively mechanically driving said whip rod in an orbital motion over the inner surface of said heat exchange tube while holding said heat transfer tube stationary to control the deposit of said frozen liquid on said inner surface.