| 摘要 |
The disclosed thermal storage composition includes water, an electrolyte or a non-electrolyte, and a nucleating surfactant. The nucleating surfactant reduces the surface tension of the thermal storage composition and simultaneously promotes nucleation sites within the thermal storage composition. The thermal storage composition is directed along at least one heat exchanger surface cooled by a refrigerant. The thermal storage composition forms ice crystals that selectively accumulate on the heat exchanger surface. Forces resulting from gravity and the interactions with the liquid of the thermal storage composition overcome the adhesion forces between at least a portion of the ice crystals and the heat exchanger surface, causing at least a portion of the ice crystals to separate from the heat exchanger surface. The nucleating surfactant inhibits ice crystal growth on the heat exchanger surface, the smaller resultant ice crystals have reduced contact area and reduced adhesive strength, thereby providing a reliable release from the heat exchanger surface to render low energy ice harvesting.
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