Patent ID: 6053006
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F25D,F28D,Y02E

Abstract:
A cold-storing installation comprising:an ice storage reservoir including an insulated container filled with water;heat-exchange pipes inserted in said container and forming a first heat exchanger;a refrigeration unit connected to said first heat exchanger and forming a first circuit;a medium intended to circulate in said first circuit for charging said ice storage reservoir and to pass through said heat-exchange pipes for transforming the water in said container into ice having interior surfaces adjacent the heat exchange pipes and exterior surfaces directed away from the heat-exchange pipes;supply means for supplying water to said container;drainage means for withdrawing cooled water from said container to discharge said ice storage reservoir;circulation means for causing the water in said container to circulate;at least one second heat exchanger forming together with said heat-exchange pipes of said first heat exchanger a second circuit through which said medium can be diverted during discharge of said ice storage reservoir;a cooling plant;a working medium intended to circulate in said cooling plant;a return pipe and a delivery pipe forming together with said second heat exchanger a working-medium circuit as a connection to said cooling plant;diversion means for diverting said working medium through said second heat exchanger and for cooling said working medium therein;means disposed between said return pipe and said delivery pipe and said working-medium circuit for bringing said cooled water withdrawn from said container into operative contact with said working medium, whereby said working medium is additionally cooled;discharging means including the second circuit, the supply means, the circulation means, and the drainage means all operating concurrently so as to melt the ice formed in the container at both the interior and exterior surfaces of the ice simultaneously to increase efficiency.