Method and system for creating and maintaining a frozen surface

A system for creating a frozen surface on a medium, the system comprising:

• means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant,
• means for removing thermal energy from a coolant:
• means for transporting a coolant between the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant and the means for removing thermal energy from a coolant,
• the means for transporting a coolant including a header pipe assembly in fluid communication with the means for removing thermal energy from a coolant and a subheader pipe in fluid communication with the header pipe assembly and the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant such that coolant from the header pipe assembly must flow through the subheader pipe to pass through the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant
• the header pipe comprising first and second pipes and means for releasably connecting the first pipe to the second pipe so as to prevent the first pipe from moving axially relative to the second pipe in a first operational state, and to allow the first pipe to be moved axially relative to the second pipe in a second operational state,
• the subheader pipe having an axis and a wall with a first opening defined therein parallel to the axis, the first opening having a first area;
• and
• means for connecting the means for transporting a coolant to the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant so that substantially all of a coolant flowing from the means for transporting a coolant to the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant flows directly from the means for transporting a coolant into the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant,
• the means for connecting the means for transporting a coolant to the means for exchanging thermal energy between a coolant and a medium being attached between the subheader pipe and the means for exchanging thermal energy between a medium and a coolant,
• the means for connecting the means for transporting a coolant to the means for exchanging thermal energy between a coolant and a medium comprising a connector pipe with a seat which fits flush with the subheader pipe wall with the seat attached to the subheader pipe wall such that no portion of the connector pipe extends into the subheader pipe through the first opening, the seat having a second opening aligned with the first opening and having a second are at least equal to the first area.