Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Cold storage apparatus comprises a vessel (1) containing a storage liquid and a heat transfer liquid in direct contact with the storage liquid to transfer heat thereto or therefrom. The liquids are immiscible and of different densities and the heat transfer liquid remains liquid during heat transfer. The storage liquid comprises a liquid which solidifies when sufficiently cooled by the heat transfer liquid and the solidified storage liquid is of a different density to the storage liquid. The liquids form by gravity sequentially within the vessel (1) a first layer (4) of heat transfer liquid, a second layer (3) of storage liquid and a third layer (2) of solidified storage liquid. The cold storage apparatus includes heat transfer liquid circulating means (6) to deliver the heat transfer liquid to and from vessel (1). The heat transfer liquid circulating means (6) is arranged to deliver the heat transfer liquid into the first or second layer (4) or (3) at a temperature below the freezing point of the storage liquid.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim