Ice slurry production using triple point and deposition of vapour

摘要

A system and method of producing ice slurry comprises feeding liquid water or brine 112 into a first portion of a chamber 120A. The triple point temperature and pressure conditions are established so that ice slurry 130 is produced in the liquid, and water vapour is evaporated into a second portion of the chamber 120B. Cooling elements 150 are located in the second portion of the chamber, and are at sufficient temperature that the water vapour undergoes deposition and layers of ice accumulate on the elements. The layers of ice are removed from the elements, preferably by selectively heating the elements. The removed ice may fall into the ice slurry, or, if the second portion of the chamber is beside the first portion, the removed ice may be conveyed to the ice slurry. The ice slurry may be converted to snow. The walls of the chamber may be heated to avoid ice accumulation.