ORBITAL TYPE FREEZING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A machine (75) for freezing or chilling a liquid continuously to produce a slurry (20) of the liquid and frozen crystals feeds the liquid into a vertically oriented heat transfer tube (1) at its upper end. A refrigerant flow (39) at the outer tube surface (1b) evaporates in a vapor/foam stream causing the liquid to freeze at the inner tube surface (1a). A whip rod (9), preferably one that is free-standing, revolves over the inner surface (1a) to dislodge the frozen crystals mechanically and to distribute the liquid. An additive to the liquid such as ethylene glycol (in water) aids the dislodging. In one form, a mechanical flow guide (35) surrounding the outer surface produces a thin, high velocity upward flow (39) of the boiling refrigerant to increase the heat transfer. An orbital drive (4-8, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111) propels the whip rod (9). In one form the orbital drive includes a pair of horizontal plates (101, 102) coupled between the whip rod (9) and at least one eccentric crank (109, 109'). In another form, the drive includes a pair of counterweights (7, 7) coupled rigidly to the heat transfer tube that are rotated in phase synchronization by independent motors (8, 8) through the dynamic design characteristics of the system.