Study on flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry in the transition region

The flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry were investigated experimentally. The characteristics in the transition region were examined in detail. The ice slurry was produced from ethanol solution. Ice packing factor (IPF), Reynolds number and tube diameter were varied as experimental parameters, and the coefficients of pipe friction and heat transfer were measured. In the low IPF region, the coefficients of the pipe friction and heat transfer were found to be constant with values that were the same as for turbulent flow in an ethanol solution. However, for the high IPF region, laminarization occurs and flow and heat transfer characteristics can be estimated from the laminar flow of the ice slurry. Moreover, the laminarization point can be estimated using the apparent Reynolds number.

► The flow and heat transfer characteristics of ice slurry in the transition region are investigated experimentally.
► The coefficients of pipe friction and heat transfer are the same as that for turbulent flow of the ethanol solution.
► The laminarization phenomenon occurs for the high IPF region.
► The laminarization point can be predicted using the apparent Reynolds number.