Fundamental study on melting of the ice particle bed due to inflow of warm water: Effect of the initial shape of the ice particle bed on melting behavior

Fine ice particles that make up an ice slurry have an advantage in heat transfer and melt rapidly because of their large specific surface area. In a dynamic-type ice storage system, an ice particle bed is melted by warm water flowing through it to obtain cooled water. The melting process generates a wide flow channel, causing a temperature rise in the ejected water and residual unmelted ice. The melting shape of an ice particle bed depends on the initial shape and the inhomogeneity of porosity in it. This study examined the effect of the initial shape of the ice particle bed on the melting behavior to thereby control the melting shape. The melting shape was controlled by establishing a gap on the surface of the ice particle bed. The pressure distribution in the ice bed varied with the size of the gap, and it strongly affected the melting shape.

► The pressure distribution in the ice particle bed affects the melting shape.
► The pressure distribution depends on the initial shape of the ice particle bed.
► The melting shape can be classified into three typical patterns: A, B, and C.
► The melting speed of ice decreases in melting pattern B.