Liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator and liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid production installation comprising at least one such generator

Abstract

A two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator comprising a housing (2), a pressurized gaseous fluid supply system for the housing (2) connectable to an external pressurized gaseous fluid supply source, a fluid circulation circuit (6) housed at least partially within the housing (2), and an internal volume (7) of the housing (2) extending inside the housing (2) around the fluid circulation circuit (6). The inlet (3) for supplying the solidifiable aqueous composition and the outlet (4) for discharging the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid from the housing (2) are in fluidic communication with the internal volume (7) of the housing (2), which forms the portion of the housing (2) used to receive the solidifiable aqueous composition.Each fluid circulation circuit (6) is a cooling fluid circulation circuit that can be connected to a refrigeration unit external to the enclosure to form a cooling section. The pressurized gaseous fluid supply system includes at least one pressurized gaseous fluid outlet (10) located within the internal volume (7) of the enclosure (2) and directed towards the fluid circulation circuit (6). See Fig. 3 for abbreviations.

Description

Title of the invention: Generator of a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid and installation for the production of a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid comprising at least one such generator

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator based on water from an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable, and to a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid production installation comprising at least one such generator.

[0002] It relates, in particular, to a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator comprising a housing with a solidifiable aqueous composition supply inlet and a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid outlet, a pressurized gaseous fluid supply system for the housing connectable to a pressurized gaseous fluid supply source outside the housing, at least one fluid circulation circuit housed at least partially inside the housing, a volume called the internal volume of the housing, extending inside the housing around the fluid circulation circuit(s), this internal volume being free from any fluidic communication with the fluid circulation circuit(s), the fluid circulation circuit(s) communicating with the outside of the housing by at least one fluid inlet port and one fluid outlet port.

[0003] The most common water-based two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generators are ice slurry generators. Two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluids are frequently used in the food industry to cool environments (cold rooms, display cases, etc.) or to ensure the preservation of food products through direct contact. Other applications, particularly in seawater desalination, are also being considered. Currently, there are about ten types of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generators, including: scraped surface generators, brushed surface generators, direct contact generators, falling film generators, vacuum generators, supercooled generators, fluidized bed generators, hydro-scraped generators, and heated generators.However, only 3 types of generators are used at an industrial level, ranked in order of market importance: scraped surface heat exchangers, supercooled heat exchangers, and vacuum heat exchangers.

[0004] Scraped surface heat exchangers operate according to the following principle: The cooling fluid circulates in an annular space between two concentric cylinders. Evaporation of the cooling fluid allows it to absorb heat from the heat transfer fluid circulating inside the smaller cylinder, and a layer of solids forms. The resulting solid material, such as ice, is then formed on the wall. Rotating scraper blades remove the solid material, which is then carried along in the fluid to create a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid. This system has limited power (requiring several units in parallel or series), and the rotation of the blades requires a significant energy input. Furthermore, the scraper blades need to be replaced regularly as they wear out over time.

[0005] Vacuum heat exchangers generate the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid, also known as ice slurry, by bringing water to its triple point (0 °C and 610 Pa), where the three phases coexist (liquid / vapor / ice). A turbine drives the water vapor, and the ice formed is carried along with the liquid to form the slurry. These systems are still not widely deployed and are used for high-power applications. However, the process technology remains very complex.

[0006] Supercooled heat exchangers are based on the principle of cooling water below its freezing point. An input of energy, either thermal or mechanical, transforms the water into ice.

[0007] Most of these solutions are energy-intensive. In addition, the design of these solutions requires frequent maintenance and the risks of breakdown or failure of such solutions are high.

[0008] An object of the invention is to propose a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator and an installation integrating such a liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator whose simplified designs make it possible to reduce maintenance and the risks of failure without harming the quality of the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid produced.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator from an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable, said generator comprising a chamber with an inlet for supplying an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable and an outlet for discharging a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid, a pressurized gaseous fluid supply system for the chamber connectable to a pressurized gaseous fluid supply source external to the chamber, at least one fluid circulation circuit housed at least partially inside the chamber, a volume, called the chamber's internal volume, extending inside the chamber around the fluid circulation circuit(s), this internal volume being free from any fluid communication with the fluid circulation circuit(s),the or each fluid circulation circuit communicating with the outside of the enclosure by at least one fluid inlet port and one fluid outlet port, characterized in that the inlet supplying aqueous composition at least partially solidifiable and the outlet draining liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid from the enclosure, are in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the enclosure which forms the part of the enclosure used to receive the aqueous composition at least partially solidifiable, in that the or each fluid circulation circuit is a cooling fluid circulation circuit connectable to a cold production unit external to the enclosure to form a cold part, and in that the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system includes at least one pressurized gaseous fluid outlet disposed in the internal volume of the enclosure and configured to project at least part of a pressurized gaseous fluid flow at least onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits.

[0010] Thus, the fluid circulation circuit(s) is a cooling fluid circulation circuit connectable to a refrigeration unit external to the enclosure to form a cold zone capable of allowing, through contact with the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition contained in the enclosure's interior volume, at least partial solidification of said aqueous composition. Because the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition is received in the enclosure's interior volume, formed by the volume of the enclosure's interior arranged around the fluid circulation circuit(s), a significant exchange surface area with the fluid circulation circuit(s) is available, with a reduced risk of the entire solidifiable aqueous composition solidifying.The flow of pressurized gaseous fluid projected onto the surface of one or more of the fluid circulation circuits via one or more pressurized gaseous fluid outlets located within the enclosure's interior volume allows for the detachment of the solidified fluid composition upon contact with the fluid circulation circuit(s). This results in reduced maintenance. This design also prevents clogging or blockage of one or more of the fluid circulation circuits. Each fluid circulation circuit is therefore, within the enclosure, at least partially immersed in the solidifiable aqueous composition. This solidifiable aqueous composition solidifies upon contact with each fluid circulation circuit, and this solidified portion is detached from the fluid circulation conduit(s) simply by projecting a flow of pressurized gaseous fluid.This design also allows for the easy production of a homogeneous liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid. A homogeneous liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid is defined as one in which the solids concentration can be maintained substantially constant within the slurry. Naturally, the cooling fluid in each fluid circulation circuit has a freezing point lower than the freezing point of the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the or one of the fluid circulation circuits is, inside the enclosure, defined by one or more parallel plates, each plate being a hollow plate inside which the fluid is able to circulate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a part of the or one of the fluid circulation circuits is presented, inside the enclosure, in the form of one or more tubular windings.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least one of the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets of the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system is a nozzle oriented towards the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the or at least one of the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets is configured so that at least a part of the pressurized gaseous fluid flow suitable for being projected onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits forms with the normal to the surface taken at the point of encounter of the flow with said surface an angle between 0° and 90°, preferably less than 88°.

[0015] The pressurized gaseous fluid supply system includes at least one pressurized gaseous fluid outlet disposed in the lower volume of the enclosure and directed towards the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system of the enclosure includes a closable connection suitable for connecting the pressurized gaseous fluid outlet(s) to the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source outside the enclosure, this closable connection protruding at least partially from the enclosure.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the closable connection for connecting the pressurized gaseous fluid outlet(s) comprises at least one connection closure element, and the generator includes a control unit configured to operate the closure element to open and / or close the connection. The fact that the control unit is configured to operate the closure element to open and / or close the connection allows for continuous or discontinuous supply of pressurized gaseous fluid to the outlets. This results in the possibility of more easily obtaining a homogeneous two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressurized gaseous fluid of the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system for the enclosure is compressed air. The choice of such a gaseous fluid allows for a lower cost of the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator.

[0019] The invention further relates to an installation for the production of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid from a solidifiable aqueous composition, said installation comprising a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator, a pressurized gaseous fluid supply source and a refrigeration production unit to which the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator is connectable, characterized in that the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator conforms to that described above.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration unit is a refrigeration installation comprising at least one primary cooling fluid circuit including at least one compressor, one expansion valve, and one condenser arranged on said primary circuit, the primary circuit or at least one of the primary circuits being connectable directly or via at least one heat exchanger to the cooling fluid circulation circuit or at least one of the circuits housed at least partially within the enclosure of the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] represents a schematic perspective view of an installation conforming to the invention;

[0023] [Fig.2] represents a partial transparent view of a fluid generator two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of plates;

[0024] [Fig.3] represents a partial cross-sectional view of a heat transfer fluid generator liquid / solid two-phase system with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of plates;

[0025] [Fig.4] represents a cross-sectional view of a heat transfer fluid generator liquid / solid two-phase system with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of plates;

[0026] [Fig. 5] represents a schematic perspective view of a conforming installation to the invention with a generator whose fluid circulation circuit is in the form of a winding;

[0027] [Fig.6] represents a partial transparent view of a fluid generator two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of a winding;

[0028] [Fig.7] represents a partial cross-sectional view of a heat transfer fluid generator liquid / solid two-phase with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of a winding;

[0029] [Fig.8] represents a partial cross-sectional view of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator with a fluid circulation circuit in the form of a winding;

[0030] [Fig.9] represents a schematic view of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid production installation with a fluid circulation circuit integrated into the primary cooling fluid circuit of the refrigeration installation of the cold production unit;

[0031] [Fig. 10] represents a schematic view of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid production installation with a fluid circulation circuit connected via a heat exchanger to the primary cooling fluid circuit of the refrigeration installation of the cold production unit.

[0032] As mentioned above, the invention relates to a water-based two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 of the type partially shown in Figures 2 to 4 or 6 to 8, this two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 being integrable into an installation 20, as shown in [Fig. 1] or [Fig. 5]. The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid is a water-based two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid. This two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid is obtained from the solidification of an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable. The aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable can be diverse and varied. Generally, this composition comprises water and, preferably, an antifreeze. Thus, this composition can be in the form of a water / alcohol mixture, such as water / ethanol or water / glycol, a water / salt mixture, a water / urea mixture, etc.Alternatively, this solidifiable aqueous composition can be pure water. In this case, it can be referred to as an ice slurry generator.

[0033] In the example shown, the composition is a water / ethanol mixture with 10% by weight of ethanol in the mixture. The resulting two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid is, by extension, called ice slurry.

[0034] The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 comprises a chamber 2 with an inlet 3 for supplying aqueous composition at least partially solidifiable and an outlet 4 for discharging two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid.

[0035] This enclosure 2 generally comprises a body and a lid. In the example shown in the figures, the enclosure 2 is cylindrical and the body is equipped with viewing windows to visualize the interior of the enclosure 2. Generally, the outlet 4 for the discharge of the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid is connected to a storage tank 14 for the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid produced, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. The connection between the discharge outlet 4 of the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid from the enclosure 2 and the storage tank 14 for the liquid / solid, represented in 15 in the figures, is a closable connection equipped with a closing element 16, such as a solenoid valve, to allow continuous and / or discontinuous drainage of the enclosure 2. This storage tank 14 can be connected via a pump, represented in 25 in figures 8 and 9, to a consumption unit of said two-phase heat transfer fluid.

[0036] The supply inlet 3 of the enclosure 2 for at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition can be connected to this consumption unit or to any source of at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition.

[0037] The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 further includes a pressurized gaseous fluid supply system 5 for the enclosure 2. To prevent overpressure in the enclosure 2, the enclosure 2 is equipped with a relief valve shown as 17 in [Fig. 1]. This relief valve 17 connects the internal volume 7 of the enclosure 2, which will be described below, with the outside of the enclosure 2. This pressurized gaseous fluid supply system 5 for the enclosure can be connected to a pressurized gaseous fluid supply source 21 located outside the enclosure 2 and visible in [Fig. 1].

[0038] The pressurized gaseous fluid can be of various natures. Thus, this pressurized gaseous fluid can be nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, air, or a mixture of these gases. Ideally, the pressurized gaseous fluid in the pressurized gas supply system of enclosure 2 is compressed air. The pressure of the pressurized gaseous fluid is generally between 4 x 10⁵ Pa and 5 x 10⁵ Pa in the case of compressed air.

[0039] The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 further comprises at least one fluid circulation circuit 6 housed at least partially inside enclosure 2, and a volume extending inside enclosure 2 around the fluid circulation circuit(s).

[0040] This volume, called the internal volume 7 of the enclosure 2 and corresponding to the space left free inside the enclosure 2 between the peripheral wall of the enclosure 2 and the fluid circulation conduit(s), is free from any fluidic communication with the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6.

[0041] Thus, the enclosure 2 includes, within the enclosure 2, a portion of its space occupied by the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6. The fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 communicate with the exterior of the enclosure 2 via a fluid inlet port 8 and a fluid outlet port 9. The fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 is a cooling fluid circulation circuit connectable to a refrigeration unit 22 external to the enclosure to form a cold section capable of allowing, by contact with the solidifiable aqueous composition contained in volume 7 inside enclosure 2, at least partial solidification of said aqueous composition.

[0042] The cooling unit 22 can have a large number of forms. This cooling unit 22 can be formed by at least one part of a refrigeration system, at least one Peltier effect module or other.

[0043] In the example of [Fig.9], the cold production unit 22 located outside the enclosure 2 is a refrigeration installation comprising a primary circuit 23 of refrigerant fluid including at least one compressor 231, one expansion valve 232 and one condenser 233 located on said primary circuit 23.

[0044] This primary circuit 23 can be directly connected to the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 housed, at least partially, inside the enclosure 2 of the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid generator 1. In this case, the primary circuit extends inside the enclosure 2 via the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6.

[0045] The fluid inlet 8 and fluid outlet 9 of the fluid circulation circuit 6 in the enclosure 2 are therefore arranged on the primary circuit described above.

[0046] Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig. 10], the cooling production unit 22 may include a primary cooling fluid circuit 23 comprising at least one compressor 231, one expansion valve 232 and one condenser 233 disposed on said primary circuit 23.

[0047] This primary circuit can be connected via at least one heat exchanger 24 to the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits 6 housed at least partially inside the enclosure 2 of the generator 1.

[0048] Thus, such a heat exchanger has two contiguous circuits for heat exchange between the two circuits, one of the circuits being formed by the primary circuit, the other by the cooling fluid circulation circuit 6. The fluid, referred to as the cooling fluid, of the fluid circulation circuit 6 can be of various types depending on the design of the refrigeration unit 22. Thus, this cooling fluid can be a liquid or a gas. This fluid can be a refrigerant, such as glycol water, ethanol, or a fluid that can be in a liquid state at a temperature below -20°C, when the fluid circulation circuit and the primary circuit of the refrigeration system are common.

[0049] When this fluid circulation circuit 6 is different from the primary circuit, the cooling fluid can be of the same type as that described above but at a higher mass concentration. In the example shown, the fluid in the fluid circulation circuit 6 is glycol water.

[0050] Depending on the desired heat exchange mode between the cooling fluid circulation circuit 6 and the at least partially solidifiable composition contained within the internal volume 7 of the enclosure 2, the fluid circulation circuit 6 can take different forms. Thus, in the example shown in [Fig. 2], at least a part of the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 is, inside the enclosure 2, defined by one or more parallel plates 61, each plate 61 being a hollow plate within which the fluid is able to circulate. The detail of the cooling fluid circulation inside a plate 61 is visible in [Fig. 4].

[0051] Alternatively, at least part of one or more of the fluid circulation circuits 6 is in the form of one or more tubular windings 62 within the enclosure 2, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. Again, the detail of the cooling fluid circulation within the winding 62 is visible in [Fig. 8].

[0052] In practice, the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition enters the interior volume of the enclosure through the aqueous composition supply inlet 3 of the interior volume 7. Inside the interior volume 7 of the enclosure 2, the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition solidifies at least partially upon contact with the cooling fluid circulation circuit 6, which forms a cold section. Solidification occurs on the outer surface of the cooling fluid circulation circuit 6. The resulting solid layer, for example ice, can be of variable thickness.

[0053] To improve the formation of this solid, such as ice, the outer surface of the cooling fluid circulation circuit 6 can be a textured surface or a surface treated with a coating, preferably a non-stick coating such as Teflon (registered trademark) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or a textured coating. Similarly, the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition contained in the internal volume 7 of the enclosure 2, in which the fluid circulation circuit 6 is immersed, can be static or flowing, in an upward or downward direction. All these parameters allow influence on the solid layer, such as the ice layer formed, and consequently on the quality of the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid.

[0054] The pressurized gaseous fluid supply system 5 includes at least one pressurized gaseous fluid outlet 10 disposed in the internal volume 7 of the enclosure 2 and directed towards the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits 6 to project a flow of pressurized gaseous fluid onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits 6 to allow detachment of the composition at least partially solidifiable at least partially solidified upon contact with the or one of the fluid circulation circuits 6.

[0055] This pressurized gaseous fluid supply system 5 for enclosure 2 includes a closable connection 11 suitable for connecting the pressurized gaseous fluid outlet(s) 10 to the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source 21 outside enclosure 2.

[0056] This closable connection 11 protrudes at least partially from the enclosure 2. This closable connection 11, suitable for connecting the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source 21 to the pressurized gaseous fluid outlet(s) 10, includes at least one connection closure element 12. The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator 1 includes at least one control unit 13 configured to control the closure element 12 in the direction of opening and / or closing the connection 11 to allow the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 to be supplied continuously or intermittently.

[0057] In the example shown in [Fig. 1], the closing element 12 of the closable connection 11 between the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source 21 and the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 is a solenoid valve.

[0058] The control unit 13 is in the form of an electronic and computer system which includes, for example, a microprocessor and working memory. In one particular aspect, the control unit can be in the form of a programmable logic controller (PLC). In other words, the functions and steps described can be implemented as a computer program or via hardware components (e.g., programmable gate networks).In particular, the functions and steps performed by the control unit or its modules can be carried out by instruction sets or computer modules implemented in a processor or controller, or by dedicated electronic components, or by components such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). It is also possible to combine computer and electronic components.When it is specified that the unit or means or modules of said unit are configured to perform a given operation, this means that the unit includes computer instructions and the corresponding means of execution which enable said operation to be performed and / or that the unit includes corresponding electronic components.

[0059] The number of outlets 10 of pressurized gas fluid and their arrangement inside the enclosure 2 can vary depending in particular on the design of the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6.

[0060] In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 6, each outlet 10 of pressurized gaseous fluid is a nozzle directed towards the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits 6 to which it is associated.

[0061] In the example of [Fig. 3], the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 are arranged in two series of similar design. The pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 of each series are arranged in parallel along the closable portion of the connection 11 located inside the enclosure 2, this portion of the connection being in the form of a conduit along which each pressurized gaseous fluid outlet 10 is positioned. The fluid circulation circuit 6 is in the form of parallel plates with an upper edge, a lower edge, and two so-called longitudinal edges connecting the upper and lower edges, and the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 of each series are arranged, for example, each along the upper edge of said plates, on either side of said plates.

[0062] Ideally, at least one of the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 is configured so that the pressurized gaseous fluid flow, suitable for being projected onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits, forms with the normal to the surface taken at the point of encounter of the flow with said surface, an angle between 0° and 90°, preferably less than 88°.

[0063] In the example of [Fig. 7], where the portion of the fluid circulation circuit 6 located inside the enclosure 2 is in the form of a tubular winding, the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10 of the same series can be arranged at intervals along said winding. Some of the fluid outlets 10 may be located inside the volume delimited by the winding, and others outside the overall volume of the winding.

[0064] Again, the or at least one of the outlets 10 of pressurized gaseous fluid can be configured so that the flow of pressurized gaseous fluid suitable for being projected onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits 6 forms with the normal to the surface, taken at the point of encounter of the flow with said surface, an angle between 0° and 90°, preferably less than 88°.

[0065] Obviously, a single enclosure 2 can include several series of outlets 10 of pressurized gaseous fluid and each closable connection 11 supplies pressurized gaseous fluid to at least one series of outlets 10 of pressurized gaseous fluid.

[0066] In practice, the operation of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid production installation 20 incorporating such a generator 1 is as follows.

[0067] It is assumed that the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source 21, such as a compressed air tank, is connected by the closable connection(s) 11 to the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10, and that the primary fluid circuit 23 of The cooling unit 22 for cold production is connected directly, or via a heat exchanger 24, to each cooling fluid circulation circuit 6.

[0068] The liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant storage tank 14 is connected to the liquid / solid two-phase refrigerant discharge outlet 4 of the enclosure 2 and an aqueous composition at least partially solidifiable is introduced into the enclosure 2 via the aqueous composition supply inlet 3 of the enclosure 2. This storage tank 14 includes a drain outlet.

[0069] Part of this aqueous composition solidifies upon contact with the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 to form a solid material, in particular a layer of ice on the surface of the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6. This layer of solid material is detached from the outer surface of the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 under the action of pressurized gas flows, in this case compressed air, projected towards the fluid circulation circuit(s) 6 through the pressurized gaseous fluid outlets 10.

[0070] The detached pieces of solid matter, in particular ice, mix with the solidifiable aqueous composition, still in liquid form, to form the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid which can be discharged into the two-phase heat transfer fluid storage tank 14 in the open state of the connection 15 connecting the outlet 4 of the liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid from the enclosure 2 to the storage tank 14.

[0071] The opening of this connection can occur at regular or irregular time intervals, or continuously.

[0072] In the illustrated example, the operating conditions are as follows: the solidifiable aqueous composition is a 10% water / ethanol mixture. Compressed air is injected at a pressure between 4 and 5 x 10⁵ Pa. The two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid, called ice slurry, is discharged discontinuously.

Claims

1. Demands Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid from an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable, said generator (1) comprising a housing (2) with an inlet (3) for supplying an aqueous composition that is at least partially solidifiable and an outlet (4) for discharging the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid, a system (5) for supplying pressurized gaseous fluid to the housing (2) connectable to a source (21) of pressurized gaseous fluid supply external to the housing, at least one fluid circulation circuit (6) housed at least partially inside the housing (2), a volume called the internal volume (7) of the housing (2), extending inside the housing (2) around the fluid circulation circuit(s) (6), this internal volume (7) being free from any fluidic communication with the fluid circulation circuit(s) (6),the fluid circulation circuit or circuits (6) communicating with the outside of the enclosure (2) by at least one fluid inlet (8) and one fluid outlet (9), characterized in that the inlet (3) for supplying at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition and the outlet (4) for discharging liquid / solid two-phase heat transfer fluid from the enclosure (2) are in fluidic communication with the internal volume (7) of the enclosure (2) which forms the part of the enclosure (2) used to receive the at least partially solidifiable aqueous composition, in that the fluid circulation circuit or circuits (6) is a cooling fluid circulation circuit connectable to a refrigeration unit (22) external to the enclosure (2) to form a cold part,in that the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system (5) comprises at least one pressurized gaseous fluid outlet (10) disposed in the internal volume (7) of the enclosure (2) and configured to project at least a portion of a pressurized gaseous fluid flow at least onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits (6), in that the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system (5) of the enclosure (2) comprises a closable connection (11) suitable for connecting the pressurized gaseous fluid outlet(s) (10) to the pressurized gaseous fluid supply source (21) external to the enclosure (2), this connection, (11) closable at least partially protruding from the enclosure (2), this closable connection (11) suitable for allowing the connection of the outlet(s) (10) of pressurized gaseous fluid comprising at least one closing element (12) for the connection (11) and in that the generator (1) includes a control unit (13) configured to control the closing element (12) in the direction of an opening and / or a closing of the connection (11).

2. Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a part of the or one of the fluid circulation circuits (6) is, inside the enclosure (2), defined by one or more parallel plates (61), each plate (61) being a hollow plate inside which the fluid is able to circulate.

3. Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a part of the or one of the fluid circulation circuits (6) is in the form of one or more tubular windings (62) inside the enclosure (2).

4. Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the or at least one of the outlets (10) of pressurized gaseous fluid of the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system (5) is a nozzle oriented towards the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits (6).

5. Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the or at least one of the outlets (10) of pressurized gaseous fluid is configured such that at least a part of the flow of pressurized gaseous fluid suitable for being projected onto the surface of the or at least one of the fluid circulation circuits (6) forms with the normal to the surface taken at the point of encounter of the flow with said surface an angle between 0° and 90°, preferably less than 88°.

6. Generator (1) of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pressurized gaseous fluid of the pressurized gaseous fluid supply system of the enclosure (2) is compressed air.

7. Installation (20) for the production of a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid from a solidifiable aqueous composition, said installation (20) comprising a two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator (1), a pressurized gaseous fluid supply source (21) and a refrigeration unit (22) to which the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator (1) is connectable, characterized in that the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator (1) conforms to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Installation (20) for the production of two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid according to claim 7, characterized in that the cooling production unit (22) is a refrigeration installation comprising at least one primary circuit (23) of cooling fluid comprising at least one compressor (231), an expansion valve (232) and a condenser (233) disposed on said primary circuit (23), the or at least one of the primary circuits (23) being connectable directly or via at least one heat exchanger (24) to the or at least one of the cooling fluid circulation circuits (6) housed at least partially inside the enclosure (2) of the two-phase liquid / solid heat transfer fluid generator (1).

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