Liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator and liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant production plant comprising at least one generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator, comprising: a closed body (2); a system for supplying a pressurized gas fluid to the enclosure (2), connectable to a source for supplying a pressurized gas fluid to the outside of the enclosure; a fluid circulation circuit (6) at least partially housed inside the closure body (2); and an inner volume (7) of the closure body (2), which volume extends inside the closure body (2) around the fluid circulation circuit (6). An inlet (3) for supplying the solidifiable aqueous composition and an outlet (4) for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from the closure body (2) are in fluid communication with an internal volume (7) of the closure body (2) forming a portion of the closure body (2) for receiving the solidifiable aqueous composition. The or each fluid circulation circuit (6) is a coolant circulation circuit connectable to a refrigeration unit outside the enclosure to form a cold section. The system for supplying a pressurized gas fluid comprises at least one pressurized gas fluid outlet (10) arranged in the internal volume (7) of the enclosure (2) and positioned towards the fluid circulation circuit (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a generator for producing a water-based liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant, starting from at least a partially solidifiable aqueous composition, and also to an apparatus for producing a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant including at least one such generator. Background Technology

[0002] The present invention specifically relates to a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator comprising: a chamber having an inlet for feeding a condensable aqueous composition and an outlet for discharging a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant; a system for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber, the system being connectable to a source of pressurized gas outside the chamber; at least one fluid circulation loop at least partially housed within the chamber; and a volume referred to as an internal volume extending within the chamber around one or more fluid circulation loops, the internal volume not having any fluid communication with the fluid circulation loops, the fluid circulation loops communicating with the outside of the chamber through at least one fluid inlet or a fluid outlet.

[0003] The most common water-based liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator is the ice slurry generator. Liquid / solid two-phase refrigerants are frequently used in food processing to cool environments (cold storage rooms, sales counters, etc.) or to ensure food preservation through direct contact with food. Other applications are also conceivable, particularly in seawater desalination. Currently, there are approximately ten types of liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generators; those that can be mentioned include: scraping, brushing, direct contact, falling film, vacuum, subcooling, fluidized bed, hydraulic scraping, and heating generators. However, at the industrial level, only three types of generators are used, ranked in order of market importance: scraping exchangers, subcooling exchangers, and vacuum exchangers.

[0004] The operating principle of a scraper heat exchanger is as follows: Coolant circulates within an annular space between two concentric cylinders. The evaporation of the coolant allows heat to be absorbed from the refrigerant circulating in the smallest cylinder, forming a solid layer on the wall. Rotating scraper blades tear away the formed solid (such as ice), which is then entrained in the fluid to provide a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant. This system is power-limited (requiring several systems to be connected in parallel or series), and the rotation of the blades requires a non-negligible energy contribution. Furthermore, the scraper blades wear down over time, necessitating periodic replacement.

[0005] Vacuum exchangers generate a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant, also known as ice slurry, by bringing water to the triple point (0°C, 610 Pa) where three phases coexist (liquid / vapor / ice). A turbine carries away the water vapor, and the resulting ice is entrained by the liquid to form a slurry. The deployment of these systems remains poor and is limited to high-power applications. However, the technology itself remains highly complex.

[0006] Subcooling exchangers are based on the principle of cooling water below its freezing point. The contribution of energy to the water in the form of heat or mechanical energy allows the water to be converted into ice.

[0007] Most of these solutions are energy-intensive. Furthermore, their design requires frequent maintenance and carries a high risk of failure or malfunction.

[0008] Chinese document CN107906816 describes a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator starting from at least a partially condensable aqueous composition. As described above, the two-phase refrigerant generator includes: a chamber having an inlet for feeding the condensable aqueous composition and an outlet for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant; a system for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber, the system being connectable to a source of pressurized gas outside the chamber; at least one fluid circulation loop at least partially housed within the chamber; and a volume, referred to as the internal volume of the chamber, extending within the chamber around one or more fluid circulation loops, the internal volume not having any fluid communication with the fluid circulation loops, the fluid circulation loops communicating with the outside of the chamber through at least one fluid inlet or one fluid outlet. The condensable aqueous composition circulates within the fluid circulation loops and is at least partially immersed in the internal volume of the chamber. The internal volume of the chamber is formed by a coolant and is connectable to a refrigeration unit outside the chamber. Compressed air is injected coaxially into the circulation loop of the solidifiable aqueous composition. Because the solidifiable aqueous composition circulates within the fluid circulation loop, the loop is at high risk of becoming clogged by the formed ice, and it has been shown that injecting compressed air to ensure the separation of the formed ice is relatively ineffective on a portion of the loop.

[0009] Similarly, JPH09021579 describes a circulation loop for a solidifiable aqueous composition that is at least partially immersed in a chamber filled with a coolant containing the solidifiable aqueous composition. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator and an apparatus incorporating such a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator, the simplified design of which enables reduced maintenance and lower failure risk without adversely affecting the quality of the generated liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant.

[0011] Therefore, the subject of this invention is a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator starting from at least a partially condensable aqueous composition, the generator comprising: a chamber having an inlet for feeding at least a partially condensable aqueous composition and an outlet for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant; a system for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber, the system being connectable to a source of pressurized gas outside the chamber; at least one fluid circulation loop at least partially housed within the chamber; and a volume referred to as an internal volume extending within the chamber around one or more fluid circulation loops, the internal volume not having any fluid communication with the fluid circulation loops, the fluid circulation loops being connected to at least one fluid circulation loop. A fluid inlet orifice and a fluid outlet orifice communicate with the outside of the chamber, characterized in that an inlet for feeding at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition and an outlet for discharging liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from the chamber are in fluid communication with an internal volume of the chamber forming part of the chamber for receiving at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition, the or each fluid circulation loop being a coolant circulation loop capable of being connected to a refrigeration unit outside the chamber to form a cold section, and a system for feeding pressurized gas including at least one pressurized gas outlet disposed in the internal volume of the chamber and configured to inject at least a portion of the pressurized gas flow at least on the surface of the or at least one fluid circulation loop.

[0012] Therefore, each or every fluid circulation loop is a coolant circulation loop capable of connecting to a refrigeration unit outside the chamber to form a cold section, which can at least partially solidify the aqueous composition by contacting at least a portion of the solidifiable aqueous composition contained in the internal volume of the chamber. Since at least a portion of the solidifiable aqueous composition is contained within the internal volume of the chamber formed by the volume of the chamber surrounding the internal volume of one or more fluid circulation loops, this allows for a large exchange surface area with the fluid circulation loops (one or more), and reduces the risk of solidification of the entire solidifiable aqueous composition. The solidified fluid composition in contact with one or more fluid circulation loops can be separated by a pressurized gas flow injected onto the outer surface of the one or more fluid circulation loops through the one or more pressurized gas outlets arranged in the internal volume of the chamber. This reduces maintenance. The design also allows for the avoidance of clogging or blockage of the one or more fluid circulation loops. Therefore, each or every fluid circulation loop is at least partially immersed in the solidifiable aqueous composition inside the chamber. The solidifiable aqueous composition solidifies upon contact with the fluid circulation loop(s), and the solidified portion can be separated from the fluid circulation tube(s)(s) by simply injecting a pressurized gas stream. This design also allows for the easy acquisition of a “homogeneous” liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant. A homogeneous liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is understood to be a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant in which the solids concentration remains substantially constant within the slurry. Naturally, the coolant in the fluid circulation loop(s) exhibits a freezing point lower than the freezing point of at least a portion of the solidifiable aqueous composition.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the fluid circulation loop is defined inside the chamber by one or more parallel plates, each plate being a hollow plate in which fluid can circulate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the fluid circulation loop or one of the fluid circulation loops is provided inside the chamber in the form of one or more tubular windings.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the fluid circulation loop or at least one fluid circulation loop is a textured surface or a coated surface, preferably a surface treated with a non-stick coating or textured coating such as Teflon (registered trademark) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressurized gas outlet of the system for feeding pressurized gas is a nozzle facing the outer surface of the fluid circulation loop.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressurized gas outlet or at least one pressurized gas outlet is configured such that at least a portion of the pressurized gas flow that can be injected onto the surface of the fluid circulation loop forms an angle between 0° and 90° with the normal to the surface at the point where the flow meets the surface, preferably less than 88°. Preferably, the angle is between 5° and 88°.

[0018] A system for feeding pressurized gas includes at least one pressurized gas outlet, which is arranged in the internal volume of a chamber and toward the one or more fluid circulation loops.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least one pressurized gas outlet of the system for feeding pressurized gas is a steerable nozzle.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for feeding pressurized gas into a chamber includes a sealable link that enables connection between one or more pressurized gas outlets and a source for feeding pressurized gas outside the chamber, the sealable link extending at least partially from the chamber.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, a sealable link capable of connecting one or more pressurized gas outlets includes at least one component for sealing the link, and a generator includes a control unit configured to control the sealing component in the opening and / or closing direction of the link. By configuring the control unit to control the sealing component in the opening and / or closing direction of the link, feeding of the pressurized gas outlets can be achieved in a continuous or discontinuous manner. As a result, a homogeneous liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant can be more easily obtained.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressurized gas in the system for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber is compressed air. Choosing this gas can reduce the cost of the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator.

[0023] Another subject of the invention is an apparatus for producing a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from a condensable aqueous composition, the apparatus comprising: a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator; a source for feeding pressurized gas; and a refrigeration unit, the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator being connectable to the source and the unit, characterized in that the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator is according to the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator described above.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigeration unit is a refrigeration device including at least one coolant main circuit, the at least one coolant main circuit including at least a compressor, an expansion valve and a condenser arranged on the main circuit, the or at least one main circuit being directly or via at least one heat exchanger connected to the or at least one coolant circulation circuit at least partially housed within the chamber of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention can be more clearly understood by referring to the following description of exemplary embodiments, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the device according to the invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 A partial perspective view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator having a fluid circulation loop in the form of a plate is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator with a plate-shaped fluid circulation loop is shown.

[0029] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator with a fluid circulation loop in the form of a plate is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of a device with a generator according to the invention is shown, wherein the fluid circulation loop of the generator is in the form of a winding;

[0031] Figure 6 A partial perspective view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator with a fluid circulation loop in the form of a winding is shown.

[0032] Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator with a fluid circulation loop in the form of a winding is shown.

[0033] Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator with a fluid circulation loop in the form of a winding is shown.

[0034] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant production apparatus is shown, wherein the fluid circulation loop is integrated into the main refrigerant loop of the refrigeration unit.

[0035] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant production apparatus is shown, in which the fluid circulation loop is connected to the main refrigerant loop of the refrigeration unit via a heat exchanger. Detailed Implementation

[0036] As described above, the present invention relates to a method in part by Figures 2 to 4 or Figures 6 to 8 The water-based liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1 shown can be combined with, for example, Figure 1 or Figure 5 In the apparatus 20 shown, the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is an aqueous liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant. This liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is generated by the condensation of at least partially condensable aqueous composition. The at least partially condensable aqueous composition can be diverse and varied. Generally, the composition contains water and preferably contains an antifreeze agent. Therefore, the composition can be provided in the form of a water / alcohol mixture (such as a water / ethanol or water / diol mixture), a water / salt mixture, a water / urea mixture, etc. Alternatively, the condensable aqueous composition can be pure water. Therefore, it can also be described as an ice slurry generator.

[0037] In the example shown, the composition is a water / ethanol mixture containing 10% ethanol by weight. The resulting liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is often mistakenly referred to as ice slurry.

[0038] The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1 includes a chamber 2 having an inlet 3 for feeding at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition and an outlet 4 for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant.

[0039] The chamber 2 generally includes a body and a cover. In the example shown in the attached drawing, the chamber 2 is cylindrical, and the body has a hole for observing the interior of the chamber 2. Generally, the outlet 4 for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is connected to a tank 14 for storing the generated liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown. The connecting rod (indicated by 15 in the figure) between the outlet 4 for discharging liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from chamber 2 and the tank 14 for storing liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is a sealable connecting rod equipped with a sealing element 16 (such as a solenoid valve), thereby allowing continuous and / or discontinuous evacuation of chamber 2. The storage tank 14 can be evacuated by a pump (in... Figure 9 and Figure 10 (25 is used to indicate the unit that consumes two-phase refrigerant) is connected to the unit.

[0040] An inlet 3 for feeding at least a portion of the solidifiable aqueous composition into chamber 2 may be connected to the consumption unit or to any source of at least a portion of the solidifiable aqueous composition.

[0041] The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1 also includes a system 5 for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber 2. To prevent overpressure in the chamber 2, the chamber 2 is equipped with... Figure 1The pressure relief valve 17 is indicated by 17. This pressure relief valve 17 connects the internal volume 7 of chamber 2 (described below) to the outside of chamber 2. The system 5 for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber can be connected to a source 21 for feeding pressurized gas, which is located outside chamber 2 and... Figure 1 As can be seen in the text.

[0042] The pressurized gas can have various properties. Therefore, the pressurized gas can be nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, air, or a mixture of these gases. Ideally, the pressurized gas in the system used to feed pressurized gas into chamber 2 is compressed air. When using compressed air, the pressure of the pressurized gas is typically 4 × 10⁻⁶. 5 Pa to 5×10 5 Between Pa.

[0043] The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1 also includes at least one fluid circulation loop 6, which is at least partially housed inside the chamber 2; and a volume extending inside the chamber 2 around the fluid circulation loop(s).

[0044] This volume is referred to as the internal volume 7 of chamber 2 and corresponds to the free space left in chamber 2 between the peripheral wall of chamber 2 and (one or more) fluid circulation pipes, which is not in any fluid communication with the or each fluid circulation loop 6.

[0045] Therefore, chamber 2 includes a portion of the space located inside chamber 2 occupied by one or more fluid circulation loops 6. Each or every fluid circulation loop 6 communicates with the outside of chamber 2 via a fluid inlet port 8 and a fluid outlet port 9. Each or every fluid circulation loop 6 is a coolant circulation loop capable of connecting to a refrigeration unit 22 outside the chamber to form a cold section, which is capable of contacting a solidifiable aqueous composition contained in the internal volume 7 of chamber 2, causing the aqueous composition to at least partially solidify.

[0046] The refrigeration unit 22 can take many forms. The refrigeration unit 22 can be formed from at least a portion of a refrigeration device, at least a Peltier effect module or other components.

[0047] exist Figure 9 In the example, the refrigeration unit 22 arranged outside the chamber 2 is a refrigeration device that includes a coolant main circuit 23, which includes at least a compressor 231, an expansion valve 232 and a condenser 233 arranged on the main circuit 23.

[0048] The main circuit 23 can be directly connected to one or more fluid circulation circuits 6, which are at least partially housed within the chamber 2 of the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1. In this case, the main circuit extends within the chamber 2 by means of the one or more fluid circulation circuits 6.

[0049] Therefore, the fluid inlet hole 8 and fluid outlet hole 9 on the fluid circulation loop 6 in chamber 2 are arranged on the main loop.

[0050] In an alternative form, such as Figure 10 As shown, the refrigeration unit 22 may include a coolant main circuit 23, which includes at least a compressor 231, an expansion valve 232 and a condenser 233 arranged on the main circuit 23.

[0051] The main loop can be connected to the fluid circulation loop 6, which is at least partially housed inside the chamber 2 of the generator 1, via at least one heat exchanger 24.

[0052] Therefore, this heat exchanger provides two adjacent loops for heat exchange between two circuits, one formed by the main loop and the other by the coolant circulation loop 6. Depending on the design of the refrigeration unit 22, the fluid referred to as the "coolant" in the fluid circulation loop 6 can have different properties. Therefore, the coolant can be a liquid or a gas. When the fluid circulation loop and the main loop of the refrigeration unit are a shared loop, the fluid can be a coolant, such as an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol, ethanol, or a fluid that can be in a liquid state at temperatures below -20°C.

[0053] When this fluid circulation loop 6 differs from the main loop, the coolant can have the same properties as described above, but at a higher concentration by weight. In the example shown, the fluid in the fluid circulation loop 6 is an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol.

[0054] Depending on the desired heat exchange pattern between the coolant circulation loop 6 and at least a portion of the solidifiable composition contained in the internal volume 7 of the chamber 2, the fluid circulation loop 6 can take on other different forms. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the example shown, at least a portion of the fluid circulation loop 6, or one of the fluid circulation loops 6, is defined within the chamber 2 by one or more parallel plates 61, each plate 61 being a hollow plate in which fluid can circulate. The characteristics of the coolant circulation within the plates 61 can be... Figure 4 I saw it in the middle.

[0055] In an alternative form, at least a portion of one or more fluid circulation loops 6 is provided within the chamber 2 in the form of one or more tubular windings 62, such as... Figure 6As shown. Similarly, the characteristics of the coolant circulation inside winding 62 can be seen in Figure 8 I saw it in the middle.

[0056] In practice, at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition enters the internal volume of the chamber 2 through inlet 3 for feeding the aqueous composition into the internal volume 7. Within the internal volume 7 of chamber 2, at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition comes into contact with the coolant circulation loop 6 forming the cold section, thereby at least partially solidifying. Solidification occurs on the outer surface of the coolant circulation loop 6. The formed solid layer (e.g., ice) can have a variable thickness.

[0057] To improve the formation of solids (such as ice), the outer surface of the coolant circulation loop 6 can be a textured surface or a coated surface, preferably a surface treated with a non-stick coating or textured coating such as Teflon (registered trademark) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Similarly, at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition contained in the internal volume 7 of the chamber 2 and immersed in the fluid circulation loop 6 can be static or flowing upwards or downwards. All these parameters allow for the influence of the formed solid layer, such as an ice layer, and consequently, the quality of the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant.

[0058] The system 5 for feeding pressurized gas includes at least one pressurized gas outlet 10, which is arranged in the internal volume 7 of the chamber 2 and toward the one or more fluid circulation loops 6 to spray a pressurized gas stream at the surface of the one or more fluid circulation loops 6, thereby separating at least partially solidified at least partially solidifiable compositions in contact with the one or more fluid circulation loops 6.

[0059] The system 5 for feeding pressurized gas into chamber 2 includes a sealable link 11 that enables connection between one or more pressurized gas outlets 10 and a source 21 for feeding pressurized gas outside chamber 2.

[0060] The sealable link 11 extends at least partially from the chamber 2. The sealable link 11, enabling connection to a source 21 for feeding pressurized gas to one or more pressurized gas outlets 10, includes at least one member 12 for sealing the link. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator 1 includes at least one control unit 13 configured to control the sealing member 12 in the opening and / or closing direction of the link 11, thereby enabling continuous or discontinuous feeding to the pressurized gas outlets 10.

[0061] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the component 12 for sealing the sealable link 11 between the source 21 for feeding pressurized gas and the pressurized gas outlet 10 is a solenoid valve.

[0062] The control unit 13 is provided itself as an electronic computer system, which includes, for example, a microprocessor and working memory. Depending on certain aspects, the control unit may be provided as a PLC. In other words, the described functions and stages may be implemented in the form of a computer program or by means of hardware components (e.g., a programmable gate array). Specifically, the functions and stages performed by the control unit or its modules may be performed by an instruction set or computer module implemented in a processor or controller, or by dedicated electronic components or programmable logic circuits (or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Computer components may also be combined with electronic components. When a unit or its device or module is configured to perform a given operation, this means that the unit contains computer instructions and corresponding execution means to enable it to perform the operation and / or the unit includes corresponding electronic components.

[0063] The number of pressurized gas outlets 10 and their arrangement within the chamber 2 can vary specifically depending on the design of one or more fluid circulation loops 6. Preferably, the pressurized gas outlet 10 or at least one (preferably each) is a steerable nozzle. The nozzle orientation is selected to optimize the separation of solids formed from the solidifiable aqueous composition.

[0064] exist Figure 3 and Figure 6 In the example shown, each pressurized gas outlet 10 is a nozzle facing the surface of the one or more fluid circulation loops 6 that are combined with it.

[0065] exist Figure 3 In the example, the pressurized gas outlets 10 are organized into two series of similar designs. The pressurized gas outlets 10 of the same series are arranged parallel to a portion of the sealable connecting rod 11 disposed within the chamber 2, this portion of the connecting rod being provided in the form of a conduit, along which each pressurized gas outlet 10 is positioned. The fluid circulation loop 6 is provided in the form of a parallel plate having an upper edge, a lower edge, and two "longitudinal" edges for connecting the upper and lower edges, and the pressurized gas outlets 10 of the same series are arranged, for example, on both sides of the plate along the upper edge of the plate.

[0066] Ideally, at least one pressurized gas outlet 10 is configured such that the pressurized gas flow that can be injected at the surface of the or at least one fluid circulation loop forms an angle between 0° and 90° with the normal obtained at the point where the flow meets the surface, preferably less than 88°.

[0067] exist Figure 7In the example, a portion of each fluid circulation loop 6, arranged inside chamber 2, is provided in the form of a tubular winding, and pressurized gas outlets 10 of the same series can be arranged at intervals along the winding. Some fluid outlets 10 can be arranged within the volume defined by the winding, while other fluid outlets can be arranged outside the overall volume of the winding.

[0068] Furthermore, the pressurized gas outlet 10 may be configured such that the pressurized gas flow that can be injected onto the surface of the fluid circulation loop 6 forms an angle between 0° and 90° (preferably less than 88°, more preferably between 5° and 88°) with the normal of the surface at the point where the flow meets the surface.

[0069] Of course, the same chamber 2 may include several series of pressurized gas outlets 10, and each sealable link 11 feeds pressurized gas to at least one series of pressurized gas outlets 10.

[0070] In fact, the operation of the apparatus 20 for producing liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant, which incorporates such a generator 1, is as follows.

[0071] Assume that the source 21 for feeding pressurized gas (such as a compressed air tank) is connected to the pressurized gas outlet 10 via one or more sealable links 11, and the coolant main circuit 23 of the refrigeration unit 22 is connected directly or via a heat exchanger 24 to each coolant circulation circuit 6.

[0072] A tank 14 for storing a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant is connected to an outlet 4 for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from a chamber 2, and at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition is introduced into the chamber 2 through an inlet 3 to feed the aqueous composition into the chamber 2. The storage tank 14 includes a discharge outlet.

[0073] A portion of the aqueous composition solidifies upon contact with one or more fluid circulation loops 6 to form a solid material, particularly an ice layer, on the surface of the fluid circulation loop 6. This solid material layer separates from the outer surface of the fluid circulation loop 6 under the action of a pressurized gas flow (here, a compressed air flow) injected through the pressurized gas outlet 10 toward the fluid circulation loop 6.

[0074] The separated solid material (especially ice) flakes are mixed with a condensable aqueous composition that is still in liquid form to form a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant. With the connecting rod 15, which connects the outlet 4 for discharging the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from chamber 2 to storage tank 14, in the open state, the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant can be discharged into tank 14 for storing the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant.

[0075] The linkage can open at regular or irregular time intervals, or remain open continuously.

[0076] In the example shown, the operating conditions are as follows: the solidifiable aqueous composition is a 10% ethanol / water mixture. Compressed air is used at a rate of 4 × 10⁻⁶. 5 Pa to 5×10 5 Pressure injection at Pa. Liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant (also known as ice slurry) is discharged discontinuously.

Claims

1. A liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) starting from at least a partially condensable aqueous composition, the generator (1) comprising a chamber (2) having an inlet (3) for feeding at least a partially condensable aqueous composition and an outlet (4) for discharging liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant; a system (5) for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber (2), the system being connectable to a source (21) outside the chamber for feeding pressurized gas; at least one fluid circulation loop (6) at least partially housed within the chamber (2); and a volume referred to as an internal volume (7) of the chamber (2), the volume extending around the fluid circulation loop (6) within the chamber (2), the internal volume (7) not having any fluid communication with the or each fluid circulation loop (6), the or each fluid circulation loop (6) communicating with the outside of the chamber (2) through at least one fluid inlet orifice (8) and one fluid outlet orifice (9), characterized in that, The inlet (3) for feeding at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition and the outlet (4) for discharging liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from the chamber (2) are in fluid communication with the internal volume (7) of the chamber (2), which forms part of the chamber (2) and is used to receive the at least a portion of the condensable aqueous composition. Each or every fluid circulation loop (6) is a coolant circulation loop that can be connected to a refrigeration unit (22) outside the chamber (2) to form a cold section. The system (5) for feeding pressurized gas includes at least one pressurized gas outlet (10) which is arranged in the internal volume (7) of the chamber (2) and configured to inject at least a portion of the pressurized gas flow onto the surface of at least one or more of the fluid circulation loops (6).

2. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of one or more of the fluid circulation loops (6) is defined inside the chamber (2) by one or more parallel plates (61), each plate (61) being a hollow plate in which fluid can circulate.

3. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least a portion of one or more of the fluid circulation loops (6) is provided inside the chamber (2) in the form of one or more tubular windings (62).

4. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The outer surface of one or more of the fluid circulation loops (6) is a textured surface or a coated surface, preferably a surface treated with a non-stick coating or textured coating such as Teflon (registered trademark) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

5. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The pressurized gas outlet (10) of the system (5) for feeding pressurized gas is a nozzle facing the surface of the fluid circulation loop (6).

6. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The pressurized gas outlet (10) is configured such that at least a portion of the pressurized gas flow that can be injected onto the surface of the fluid circulation loop (6) forms an angle between 0° and 90° with the normal to the surface at the point where the flow meets the surface, preferably less than 88°.

7. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The system (5) for feeding pressurized gas, and at least one of the pressurized gas outlets (10) is a steerable nozzle.

8. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The system (5) for feeding pressurized gas into the chamber (2) includes a sealable link (11) that enables connection between the pressurized gas outlet (10) and the source (21) for feeding pressurized gas outside the chamber (2), the sealable link (11) extending at least partially from the chamber (2).

9. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The sealable link (11) that enables connection to the pressurized gas outlet (10) includes at least one component (12) for sealing the link (11), and the generator (1) includes a control unit (13) configured to control the sealing component (12) in the opening and / or closing direction of the link (11).

10. The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The pressurized gas in the system used to feed pressurized gas into the chamber (2) is compressed air.

11. An apparatus (20) for producing a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant from a condensable aqueous composition, the apparatus (20) comprising a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1); a source (21) for feeding pressurized gas; and a refrigeration unit (22), the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) being connectable to the source and the unit, characterized in that, The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1) is a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The apparatus (20) for producing a liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant according to claim 10, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit (22) is a refrigeration device including at least one coolant main circuit (23), the at least one coolant main circuit including at least a compressor (231), an expansion valve (232) and a condenser (233) arranged on the main circuit (23), the or at least one of the main circuits (23) being able to be directly or via at least one heat exchanger (24) connected to the or at least one of the coolant circulation circuits (6) at least partially housed inside the chamber (2) of the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant generator (1).

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