摘要 |
A semi-frozen product dispenser (10 or 200) is provided for at least partially freezing and dispensing a product. The product dispenser may include at least one freezing barrel (20-1) defining a freezing chamber (C1) configured to receive the product. A refrigeration system (60 or 260) is provided for at least partially freezing product in the freezing chamber (C1). A fluid heating system (80 or 280) is also provided to remove heat from the refrigeration system (60 or 260) and use it in an auxiliary system, such as a water pre-heating system. The fluid heating system (80 or 280) may include a fluid heat exchanger (102) disposed in a high pressure refrigerant line (67 or 267), a fluid tank (82 or 282), and a fluid pump (96). Fluid may be continuously circulated through the fluid heat exchanger (102 or 302) when the refrigeration system is operated, thereby to continuously provide refrigerant cooling and fluid warming.
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