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Abstract

A phase change particulate saline slurry and methods and apparatus are provided for producing phase change particulate saline slurries. One method for producing phase change particulate saline slurries includes the steps of providing a liquid with a set percentage freezing point depressant, such as, a set percentage saline solution; subcooling the saline solution to a freezing point to produce ice particles; and increasing an ice particle concentration under controlled temperature for a period of time to provide a set ice particle concentration for the phase change particulate saline slurry. In another method for producing phase change particulate saline slurries, water and a first set amount of sodium chloride are provided to produce a saline solution. The saline solution is cooled to a set temperature. A selected percentage of chunk ice is added to the saline solution and the chunk ice is broken into ice particles. The ice particles have a small size. Next a second set amount of sodium chloride is added and distributed for smoothing of the ice particles. The total saline solution concentrations resulting from the total of the first set amount and the second set amount of added sodium chloride are preferably in the range of about 0.5% to 6.0%. The loadings or percentage of ice particles are preferably in the range of 5% to 50%. A phase change particulate saline slurry includes a water and sodium chloride solution. The sodium chloride is provided in a range between about 0.5% to 6.0%. A percentage of ice particles is provided in the range between about 5% to 50%. The ice particles have a size of about 1 mm or less than 1 mm; and the ice particles have a generally smooth shape.

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