Particle size distribution in ice slurry systems-analysis of dual-view particle images.

Ice slurry is used as secondary refrigerant and for energy storage. It is a mixture of water, a freezing point depressant and small ice particles. The usage of ice slurry can reduce the exergy losses of a cooling system and the refrigeration charge in the primary system. It’s possible to uncouple the cooling demand from the cold production of refrigeration systems. Due to the latent heat of fusion of the small ice particles in the liquid phase, ice slurry has a high energy density compared to single phase secondary refrigerants.
Important parameters that may influence the thermophysical and rheological parameters of ice slurry are the ice particle size and the size distribution as well as the shape and surface characteristics of the ice particles.
The test rig and setup to measure the ice particle size and shape, which have be presented at the IJR2015-conference, will be summarized and sample measurements with ethanol based ice slurry will be shown as well. The methods and procedures to measure the particle size distribution from the ‘raw’ image to the distribution are described in detail. Also the values needed to evaluate the particles are shown. Sample measurements using an ethanol based ice-slurry are presented and the results of these measurements are discussed.