Method and apparatus for freezing,utilizing a continuous flow through multiple chambers

Abstract

Abstract This specification discloses a system for partial freezing of solutions including improvements in freezing apparatus and method, to produce a solid crystallized product and a concentrated solution product, either or both of which may be the desired end product of the apparatus or the method. In particular, it relates to the technique of effecting partial freezing by the vaporization of liquid in, or mixed with, the solution being frozen, using a multicompartmented freezing vessel in which the top of each compartment is open to a vapor space from which vaporized liquid is evacuated and the compartments are arranged in series to provide overflow of liquid from alternate compartments into the intervening compartments and underflow from the intervening compartments into the overflowing compartments. The method of partial freezing is to cause a recirculating flow of slurry of crystals and solution through an endless series of such alternate overflow, underflow compartments of substantial depth, vaporizing liquid at the surface of the slurry in the compartments to extract heat therefrom and undercool the solution in process, and retaining the undercooled solution in contact with the crystals in the lower parts of the compartments to effect crystallization and crystal growth therein.

Inventors

• 👤 George B Karnofsky

Bibliographic Details