Patent Description:
There may be a need for new tools and techniques to address solidification and/or solid production. The relevant prior art documents are <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention is disclosed in the independent claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the method, the first fluid includes a non-polar material and the second fluid includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO.

In some embodiments of the method, the first fluid includes a polar material and the second fluid includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water and the second fluid includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer, for example.

In embodiments of the method, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes aromatic oil and the second fluid includes water. Some embodiments further include cooling the first fluid before entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid and the second fluid arc cooled simultaneously.

In embodiments of the method, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes flowing the first fluid and the second fluid through a coil to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid. In some embodiments, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid form the second fluid into one or more solidified shapes. The one or more solidified shapes may be formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. One or more features of the coil may control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid that form the second fluid into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. The one or more features of the coil may include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in orientation of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in diameter of the coil.

In some embodiments of the method, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a parallel flow to the first fluid. In some embodiments, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid.

According to some disclosed methods, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to one or more cold surfaces, the first fluid may have an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. Some disclosures include removing a solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces. The first fluid may coat at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and may interfere with the second fluid from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid includes water.

According to some disclosures, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes mixing the second fluid with the first fluid before introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces. In some disclosures, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes separately introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces.

According to some disclosures, the one or more cold surfaces are comprised of a metal. Some embodiments may include other materials such as plastic, ceramic, and/or glass for the one or more cold surfaces.

According to some disclosures, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. In some disclosures. removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some disclosures, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from one or more planar cold surfaces.

Some disclosures include a solid production system that may include a first fluid and a second fluid, the first fluid and the second fluid may be immiscible with respect to each other. The system may include one or more surfaces configured to contact the first fluid and the second fluid with each other and to form one or more solids from the second fluid.

In some disclosures of the system, the one or more surfaces are configured such that the first fluid and the second fluid are contacted with each other such that the second fluid is entrained within the first fluid. The one or more surfaces may include one or more coils configured to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid.

In some disclosures of the system, the one or more surfaces include one or more cold surfaces such that the first fluid has an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. Some disclosures include one or more solid removers configured to remove a solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system, the first fluid includes a non-polar material and the second fluid includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes aromatic oil and the second fluid includes water. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid includes water.

In some embodiments of the system, the first fluid includes a polar material and the second fluid includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water and the second fluid includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer.

Some embodiments of the system include a heat exchanger positioned to cool the first fluid before entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid and the second fluid are cooled simultaneously within the one or more coils. In some embodiments of the system, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid within the one or more coils form the second fluid into one or more solidified shapes. In some embodiments of the system, the one or more solidified shapes are formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. In some embodiments, one or more features of the coil control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid that form the second fluid into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in orientation of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in diameter of the coil.

Embodiments of the system include a mixing nozzle configured to entrain the second fluid within the first fluid. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid is introduced as a parallel flow to the first fluid. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid is introduced as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid.

Optionally, the first fluid coats at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and interferes with the second fluid from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include a first storage container configured to hold the first fluid and a second storage container configured to hold the second fluid. Some disclosed systems include a combiner configured to combine the first fluid from the first storage container with the second fluid from the second storage container for delivery to the one or more cold surfaces. Systems may include a first conduit coupled with the first storage container and a second conduit coupled with the second storage container; the first conduit and the second conduit may be configured to deliver the first fluid and the second fluid separately to the one or more cold surfaces. Optionally the first conduit is coupled with the one or more solid removers to facilitate delivery of the first fluid to the one or more cold surfaces.

In some disclosed systems, the one or more cold surfaces are comprised of a metal. Disclosed systems may include other materials such as plastic, ceramic, and/or glass for the one or more cold surfaces.

In some disclosed systems, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces include an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. Optionally, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces include a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some disclosures, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surface include one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from one or more planar cold surfaces.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of embodiments according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions may not depart from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Features which are believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of different embodiments may be realized by reference to the following drawings.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show embodiments being useful for understanding the invention, which are outside the subject-matter of the claims. <FIG> shows an embodiment according to the present invention, which discloses a method for a production of solids according to claim <NUM> and a system for a production of solids according to claim <NUM>. This description provides embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the disclosure. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements.

Thus, various disclosures "may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that the methods may be performed in an order different than that described, and that various stages may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, aspects and elements described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other disclosures. It should also be appreciated that the following systems, devices, and methods may individually or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application.

Methods, systems, and device for solidification and/or solid production, such as ice production, are provided in accordance with various embodiments. Some embodiments may provide for the creation of a solid with a high volumetric surface area, the amount of surface area per a given volume of material, using a machine and/ process that may involve minimal energy consumption, mechanical complexity, and/or heat transfer area.

Some embodiments may include hydraulically forming the solid while simultaneously causing it to solidify via cooling.

In some embodiments, the hydraulic formation is controlled by the introduction of the two materials into a coil where the hydrodynamic properties of the entraining fluid (the first fluid) may cause the solidifying fluid (the second fluid) to automatically form shapes of a predictable size and/or shape. The hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid may be controlled by specific design features of the coil including, for example, its diameter, geometry, interior structure, length, and/or combination of different zones with changing features.

The fluids are immiscible, which may allow for them to directly physical and thermal contact throughout the process. In some embodiments, the first fluid is a non-polar material and the second fluid is a polar material. For example, the first fluid may include a hydrocarbon, aromatic, fluorinated, or silicone oil, where an example of the second fluid may include an immiscible polar fluid, such as water, acidic acid, formic acid or other carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene or polyethylene glycol, medium sized alcohols such as tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid is a polar material and the second fluid is a non-polar material. For example, the first fluid may include water, alcohol, propylene or ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid where the second fluid may include a fluorinated oil, cresol, a high molecular weight silicon oil, a high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil or paraffin, a thermoset polymer, or a metallic alloy.

A coil assembly and various peripheral equipment are utilized for the coil to operate. Those peripherals include a pump for the first fluid, a mixing nozzle for both fluids, a heat exchanger for cooling the first fluid or the mixture, and/or containers for storing both the mixture, the first fluid, and the second fluid.

Some embodiments may utilize a cold surface that may be protected by a first fluid. A second fluid may be allowed to come in near contact with the cold surface and solidify. The protection from the immiscible fluid may allow for the solid to be removed using a less or minimally complicated and/or low power mechanical device.

The fluids used are immiscible, which may allow for them to physically and/or thermally contact each other throughout the process. Additionally, the first fluid may be chosen based on its affinity for the cold surface. If it has a higher affinity for the surface than the second fluid, surface tension effects may overpower buoyancy or mechanical forces and the cold surface may be protected.

In some embodiments, the first fluid may be an oil such as a hydrocarbon oil, an aromatic oil, or a silicone oil. The second fluid may be a polar fluid such as water or DMSO. In some embodiments, if the cold surface is a metal or plastic, the oil may preferentially cover the surface protecting it even under high hydrostatic or mechanical loading from the water, which may allow for high heat transfer between the water and cold surface but leaving the water poorly adhered to the cold surface so it may be removed with low power and mechanical complexity.

Various examples in accordance with various embodiments are provided. Some embodiments may in general show fluid lines and heat exchangers as non-integral from any other pieces of process equipment. One skilled in the art generally knows that this may not always the case and may be depicted here for clarity. Additionally, not all the representations in these figures are illustrative and may not represent the geometric features of the coil; some may provide greater detail.

Turning now to <FIG>, a system <NUM> for solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM> may include a first fluid <NUM> and a second fluid <NUM>; the first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> may be immiscible with respect to each other. The system <NUM> may include one or more surfaces <NUM> configured to contact the first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> with each other and to form one or more solids from the second fluid <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the one or more surfaces <NUM> are configured such that the first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> are contacted with each other such that the second fluid <NUM> is entrained within the first fluid <NUM>. The one or more surfaces <NUM> may include one or more coils configured to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the one or more surfaces <NUM> include one or more cold surfaces such that the first fluid <NUM> has an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include one or more solid removers configured to remove a solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM> includes a non-polar material and the second fluid <NUM> includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM> includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> includes aromatic oil and the second fluid <NUM> includes water. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid <NUM> includes water.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM> includes a polar material and the second fluid <NUM> includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM> includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> includes water and the second fluid <NUM> includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer.

Some embodiments of the system <NUM> include a heat exchanger positioned to cool the first fluid <NUM> before entraining the second fluid <NUM> within the first fluid <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> are cooled simultaneously within the one or more coils. In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid <NUM> within the one or more coils form the second fluid <NUM> into one or more solidified shapes. In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the one or more solidified shapes are formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. In some embodiments, one or more features of the coil control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid <NUM> that form the second fluid <NUM> into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in orientation of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in diameter of the coil.

Some embodiments of the system <NUM> include a mixing nozzle configured to entrain the second fluid <NUM> within the first fluid <NUM>. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid <NUM> is introduced as a parallel flow to the first fluid <NUM>. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid <NUM> is introduced as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the first fluid <NUM> coats at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and interferes with the second fluid <NUM> from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include a first storage container configured to hold the first fluid <NUM> and a second storage container configured to hold the second fluid <NUM>. Some embodiments include a combiner configured to combine the first fluid <NUM> from the first storage container with the second fluid <NUM> from the second storage container for delivery to the one or more cold surfaces; the combiner may be an example of a mixing nozzle. Some embodiments include a first conduit coupled with the first storage container and a second conduit coupled with the second storage container; the first conduit and the second conduit may be configured to deliver the first fluid <NUM> and the second fluid <NUM> separately to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, the first conduit is coupled with the one or more solid removers to facilitate delivery of the first fluid <NUM> to the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the one or more cold surfaces are comprised of a metal. Some embodiments may include other materials such as plastic, ceramic, and/or glass for the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from the one or more cold surfaces include an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from the one or more cold surfaces include a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, the one or more solid removers configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from the one or more cold surface include one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM> from one or more planar cold surfaces.

Turning now to <FIG>, a system <NUM>-a for solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-a may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>. System <NUM>-a may include a first fluid <NUM>-a and a second fluid <NUM>-a; the first fluid <NUM>-a and the second fluid <NUM>-a may be immiscible with respect to each other. The system <NUM>-a may include one or more surfaces <NUM>-a configured to contact the first fluid <NUM>-a and the second fluid <NUM>-a with each other and to form one or more solids from the second fluid <NUM>-a. For example, the one or more surfaces <NUM>-a may be configured such that the first fluid <NUM>-a and the second fluid <NUM>-a are contacted with each other such that the second fluid <NUM>-a is entrained within the first fluid <NUM>-a. The one or more surfaces <NUM>-a may include one or more coils configured to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid <NUM>-a. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-a may be stored in a first fluid storage container <NUM> before being delivered to the one or more surfaces <NUM>-a; similarly, the second fluid <NUM>-a may be stored in a second fluid storage container <NUM> before being delivered to the one or more cold surfaces <NUM>-a.

In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-a may be extracted from the first fluid storage container <NUM> and may be sent to the one or more surfaces <NUM>-a that may be configured as an entraining or mixing assembly, which may be an example of the one or more surfaces <NUM> of <FIG>. The second fluid <NUM>-a may be taken from the second fluid storage container <NUM> and may be sent to the entraining or mixing assembly <NUM>-a; this may happen simultaneously with the extraction of the first fluid <NUM>-a from the first fluid storage container <NUM>. In the entraining or mixing assembly <NUM>-a, the fluids <NUM>-a and <NUM>-a may be entrained or mixed and cooled in a way that may produce a solid with a predictable size, such as high surface area, and/or predictable shape. The result may be an entrained or mixed flow <NUM> with both the first fluid <NUM>-a and the second fluid <NUM>-a, where the second fluid <NUM>-a may have been converted to a solid and may be carried by the first fluid <NUM>-a.

Some embodiments of the system <NUM>-a include a heat exchanger positioned to cooling the first fluid <NUM>-a before entraining the second fluid <NUM>-a within the first fluid <NUM>-a. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-a and the second fluid <NUM>-a are cooled simultaneously within the one or more coils. In some embodiments of the system <NUM>-a, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid <NUM>-a within the one or more coils form the second fluid <NUM>-a into one or more solidified shapes. In some embodiments of the system <NUM>-a, the one or more solidified shapes are formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. In some embodiments, one or more features of the coil control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid <NUM>-a that form the second fluid <NUM>-a into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in orientation of the coil. In some embodiments, the one or more features of the coil include a change in diameter of the coil.

Some embodiments of the system <NUM>-a include a mixing nozzle configured to entrain the second fluid <NUM>-a within the first fluid <NUM>-a. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid <NUM>-a is introduced as a parallel flow to the first fluid <NUM>-a. Some embodiments include a tube positioned within the mixing nozzle such that the second fluid <NUM>-a is introduced as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid <NUM>-a.

Turning now to <FIG>, a system <NUM>-b for solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-b may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>. System <NUM>-b may include a first fluid <NUM>-b and a second fluid <NUM>-b; the first fluid <NUM>-b and the second fluid <NUM>-b may be immiscible with respect to each other. The system <NUM>-b may include one or more surfaces <NUM>-b configured to contact the first fluid <NUM>-b and the second fluid <NUM>-b with each other and to form one or more solids from the second fluid <NUM>-b. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-b may be stored in a first fluid storage container <NUM>-b before being delivered to the one or more surfaces <NUM>-b; similarly, the second fluid <NUM>-b may be stored in a second fluid storage container <NUM>-b before being delivered to the one or more cold surfaces <NUM>-b.

The one or more surfaces <NUM>-b may include one or more cold surfaces such that the first fluid <NUM>-b has an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. For example, the one or more cold surfaces may include a metal while the first fluid may include an oil. In an example case where the second fluid is water, the first fluid's surface energy-based affinity for the metallic cold surface may cause the first fluid to preferentially coat the cold surface. System <NUM>-b may include one or more solid removers <NUM> configured to remove a solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>-b, the first fluid <NUM>-b coats at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and interferes with the second fluid <NUM>-b from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include a combiner configured to combine the first fluid <NUM>-b from the first storage container <NUM>-b with the second fluid <NUM>-b from the second storage container <NUM>-b for delivery to the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include a first conduit coupled with the first storage container <NUM>-b and a second conduit coupled with the second storage container <NUM>-b; the first conduit and the second conduit may be configured to deliver the first fluid <NUM>-b and the second fluid <NUM>-b separately to the one or more cold surfaces In some embodiments, the first conduit is coupled with the one or more solid removers <NUM> to facilitate delivery of the first fluid <NUM>-b to the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the system <NUM>-b, the one or more solid removers <NUM> configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from the one or more cold surfaces include an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, the one or more solid removers <NUM> configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from the one or more cold surfaces include a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, the one or more solid removers <NUM> configured to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from the one or more cold surface include one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid <NUM>-b from one or more planar cold surfaces.

<FIG>shows a system <NUM>-c in accordance with various embodiments where the cooling of a first fluid <NUM>-c may take place before the mixing of the two fluids, including a second fluid <NUM>-c, and formation of a solid. System <NUM>-c may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG> and/or system <NUM>-a of <FIG>. In this embodiment, the process may take place inside a mixing assembly <NUM>. In this embodiment, the first fluid <NUM>-c may leave a storage container <NUM>-c and may enter a pump <NUM>. A pumped first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM> may then move to a heat exchanger <NUM> where it may be cooled, producing a chilled first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may be cooled by a refrigerant <NUM>-<NUM>. The first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM> may then flow to a mixing nozzle <NUM> where the second fluid <NUM>-c may be injected into the flow to form a mixed all-liquid flow <NUM>-c. The first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-c may be immiscible with respect to each other; the second fluid <NUM>-c may be entrained within the first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM>. This mixture <NUM>-c then may enter a coil <NUM>-c where it may be hydrodynamically formed into a predictable shape and/or size. Inside the coil <NUM>-c, the cold first fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM> may be warmed by the warmer second fluid <NUM>-c and the heat that may be removed from the second fluid <NUM>-c may cause it to solidify while it may be being hydrodynamically shaped. This mixture <NUM>-c-<NUM> may leave the coil <NUM>-c with the second fluid <NUM>-c solidified to the desired degree and may enter the first fluid storage container <NUM>-c where the hydrodynamics change due to changing geometry and the solidified second fluid <NUM>-c-<NUM> may be separated into a packed bed <NUM>. The solid may then be removed <NUM>-c-<NUM> as a mixture of highly concentrated solidified second fluid.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-d in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-d may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-c of <FIG>. System <NUM>-d may provide an embodiment in which the cooling of a first fluid <NUM>-d may take place before the mixing of the two fluids, including a second fluid <NUM>-d, and formation of a solid. This process may take place inside a mixing assembly <NUM>-d. In this embodiment, the first fluid <NUM>-d may leave the storage container <NUM>-d and may enter a pump <NUM>-d. The pumped first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> may then move to the heat exchanger <NUM>-d where it may be cooled, producing a chilled first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM>-d may be cooled by a refrigerant <NUM>-d/<NUM>-d. The first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> then may flow to a mixing nozzle <NUM>-d-<NUM> where the second fluid <NUM>-d may be injected into the flow to form a mixed all-liquid flow <NUM>-d. The first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-d may be immiscible with respect to each other; the second fluid <NUM>-d may be entrained within the first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM>. This mixture <NUM>-d then may enter a coil <NUM>-d-<NUM> where it may be hydrodynamically formed into a predictable shape and/or size. Inside the coil <NUM>-d-<NUM>, the cold first fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> may be warmed by the warmer second fluid <NUM>-d and the heat that may be removed from the second fluid <NUM>-d, which may cause it to partially solidify while it may be being hydrodynamically shaped. The mixture <NUM>-d-<NUM> may leave the coil <NUM>-d-<NUM> and may enter another injection nozzle <NUM>-d-<NUM> where more second fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> may be added before the mixture <NUM>-d-<NUM> may enter a second coil <NUM>-d-<NUM>. Inside coil <NUM>-d-<NUM>, the second fluid <NUM>-d may continue to solidify. This mixture <NUM>-d-<NUM> may leave the coil <NUM>-d-<NUM> with the second fluid <NUM>-d solidified to the desired degree and may enter the first fluid storage container <NUM>-d where the hydrodynamics change due to changing geometry and the solidified second fluid <NUM>-d-<NUM> may be separated into the packed bed <NUM>-d. The solid may then be removed <NUM>-d-<NUM> as a mixture of highly concentrated solidified second fluid. System <NUM>-e comprises all the features of the independent claim <NUM>. System <NUM>-e provides an embodiment in which the cooling of a first fluid <NUM>-e may take place after the mixing of the two fluids, including a second fluid <NUM>-e, and in the process of the formation of the solid. This process may take place inside a mixing assembly <NUM>-e. In this embodiment, the first fluid <NUM>-e may leave a storage container <NUM>-e and enters a pump <NUM>-e. The pumped first fluid <NUM>-e-1then moves to a mixing nozzle <NUM>-e where the second fluid <NUM>-e is injected into the flow to form a mixed all-liquid flow <NUM>-e The first fluid <NUM>-e-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-e are immiscible with respect to each other; the second fluid <NUM>-e is entrained within the first fluid <NUM>-e-<NUM>. This mixture <NUM>-c then enters a coil <NUM>-c where it may be hydrodynamically formed into a predictable shape and/or size. Inside the coil <NUM>-e, the cold first fluid <NUM>-e-<NUM> is warmed by the warmer second fluid <NUM>-c and the heat that is removed from the second fluid <NUM>-c, which causes it to partially solidify while it may be being hydrodynamically shaped. This mixture <NUM>-c-<NUM> leaves the coil <NUM>-e with the second fluid <NUM>-e partially solidified and may enter the heat exchanger <NUM>-e where the partially solidified particles may be solidified, completely in some cases, by the cooling effect of the heat exchanger <NUM>-e. The heat exchanger <NUM>-e may be cooled by a refrigerant <NUM>-e/<NUM>-e. The mixture with solidified second fluid <NUM>-e-<NUM>, which may be completely solidified in some cases, may then enter the first fluid storage container <NUM>-e where the hydrodynamics change due to changing geometry and the solidified second fluid <NUM>-e-<NUM> may be separated into a packed bed <NUM>-e. The solid may then be removed <NUM>-e-<NUM> as a mixture of highly concentrated solidified second fluid.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-f for solid production in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-f may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG> and/or system <NUM>-a of <FIG>. System <NUM>-f may provide an in which the cooling of a first fluid <NUM>-f takes place simultaneously with the mixing of two fluids, including a second fluid <NUM>-f, and the process of solid formation. This process may take place inside a mixing assembly <NUM>-f. In this embodiment, the first fluid <NUM>-f may leave a storage container <NUM>-f and may enter a pump <NUM>-f. The pumped first fluid <NUM>-f-<NUM> may then move to a mixing nozzle <NUM>-f where the second fluid <NUM>-f may be injected into the flow to form a mixed all-liquid flow <NUM>-f. The first fluid <NUM>-f-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-f may be immiscible with respect to each other; the second fluid <NUM>-f may be entrained within the first fluid <NUM>-f-<NUM>. This mixture <NUM>-f then may enter a coil <NUM>-f where it may be hydrodynamically formed into a predictable shape and/or size. Inside the coil <NUM>-f, the cold first fluid <NUM>-f-<NUM> may be warmed by the warmer second fluid <NUM>-f and the heat that may be removed from the second fluid <NUM>-f, which may cause it to partially solidify while it may be being hydrodynamically shaped. Simultaneous to this inter-fluid heat transfer, the mixture <NUM>-f may be itself cooled by the chilling of the coil's walls via the presence of a refrigerant <NUM>-f/<NUM><NUM>-f on the outside of the coil walls. This cooling may be present because the coil <NUM>-f may be integral to a heat exchanger <NUM>-f. While inside the coil <NUM>-f, the second fluid <NUM>-f may be solidified, completely in some cases. This mixture <NUM>-f-<NUM> may leave the coil <NUM>-f with the second fluid <NUM>-f solidified, completely in some cases, and may enter the first fluid storage container <NUM>-f where the hydrodynamics change due to changing geometry and the solidified second fluid <NUM>-f-<NUM> may be separated into the packed bed <NUM>-f. The solid may then be removed <NUM>-f-<NUM> as a mixture of highly concentrated solidified second fluid.

Turning now to <FIG>, cross-sectional and side views of aspects of systems <NUM>-g-<NUM>, <NUM>-g-<NUM>, and <NUM>-g-<NUM> are provided in accordance with various embodiments. These embodiments may highlight the hydrodynamics of a fully developed flow inside coils <NUM>-g-<NUM>, <NUM>-g-<NUM>, and <NUM>-g-<NUM>, respectively. Coils <NUM>-g-<NUM>, <NUM>-g-<NUM>, and/or <NUM>-g-<NUM> may be examples of surfaces and/or coils <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <FIG>. Additionally, the <FIG> may illustrate one way that the hydrodynamics may control the formation of predictably shaped and/or sized solid formed from a second fluid entrained within a first fluid. The second fluid may be an example of the second fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example; the first fluid may be an example of the first fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example. In <FIG>, it may be shown generally how the diameter <NUM>-g of the coil <NUM>-g may produce a different hydrodynamic state, which may determine the solid particle size. In the first system <NUM>-g-<NUM>, the coil <NUM>-g-<NUM> with a given diameter <NUM>-g-<NUM> may produce a highly turbulent flow <NUM>-g-<NUM>. In this case, the solid may naturally form a spherical-like particle <NUM>-g-<NUM> from a second fluid that may be born aloft and entrained by the flow of a first fluid. The diameter of this particle <NUM>-g-<NUM> may be controllable by not only the coil diameter <NUM>-g-<NUM>, but the flow conditions, relative velocities between the fluids, properties of the two fluids, loading ratio of the two fluids, and/or other hydrodynamic forces. In the system <NUM>-g-<NUM>, the diameter <NUM>-g-<NUM> or the flow conditions <NUM>-g-<NUM> within a coil <NUM>-g-<NUM> may be changed such that the flow become less turbulent <NUM>-g-<NUM> and a solid particle shape that may be larger, flatter, and/or more elliptical <NUM>-g-<NUM> may be produced from a second fluid entrained within a first fluid. In the system <NUM>-g-<NUM>, the diameter <NUM>-g-<NUM> and flow conditions <NUM>-g-<NUM> may be changed yet again to produce a fully laminar flow of the first fluid <NUM>-g-<NUM> and a stratified flow of the two fluids <NUM>-g-<NUM>, which producing sheets of solidified form of a second fluid. <FIG> may be exemplary only. It gives an example of how a coil's geometry (i.e., diameter in this case) may be modified to change the shape and/or size of solid produced.

<FIG> provides aspects of systems <NUM>-h-<NUM>, <NUM>-h-<NUM>, and <NUM>-h-<NUM> that may illustrate the hydrodynamics of the fully developed flow inside coils <NUM>-h-<NUM>, <NUM>-h-<NUM>, and <NUM>-h-<NUM>, respectively. Coils <NUM>-h-<NUM>, <NUM>-h-<NUM>, and/or <NUM>-h-<NUM> may be examples of surfaces and/or coils <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <FIG>. <FIG> may illustrate one way that the hydrodynamics can control the formation of predictably shaped and sized solid formed from a second fluid entrained within a first fluid. The second fluid may be an example of the second fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example; the first fluid may be an example of the first fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example. In <FIG>, it may be shown how the geometry of the coils <NUM>-h-<NUM>, <NUM>-h-<NUM>, and/or <NUM>-h-<NUM> can produce a different hydrodynamic state, which may determine the solid particle properties. In the system <NUM>-h-<NUM>, a smooth tube <NUM>-h-<NUM> may be used to produce a spherical ball of solid <NUM>-h-<NUM>. The diameter <NUM>-h-<NUM> of this tube <NUM>-h-<NUM> may be set such that the flow rate may produce a turbulent flow <NUM>-h-<NUM> capable of carrying the solid <NUM>-h-<NUM> in the flow as in the system <NUM>-g-<NUM> of <FIG>. In the system <NUM>-h-<NUM>, the surface geometry of the tube <NUM>-h-<NUM> may be modified to increase the turbulence and allow for the hydrodynamic state to be modified. In this case, the geometry may allow for a change in coil diameter <NUM>-h-<NUM> while maintaining the turbulence <NUM>-h-<NUM> that may be involved to keep the solid <NUM>-h-<NUM> suspended in the flow. This may further allow for the solid <NUM>-h-<NUM> to change in shape and/or size at the same flow rate as a smooth coil. The surface geometry may include ribs, riffling, divots, corrugation, and/or any other surface geometry that may affect the turbulence of the second fluid. The system <NUM>-h-<NUM> may show a coil <NUM>-h-<NUM> at a non-horizontal angle <NUM>. This change may affect the relative gravitational acceleration <NUM> between the second fluid and the first fluid and again may allow for the shape and size of the first fluid to be modified at a given coil diameter <NUM>-h-<NUM>. In this case, a less turbulent flow <NUM>-h-<NUM> may still produce sufficient lift on the solid particle <NUM>-h-<NUM> to keep it entrained in the fluid and spherical in shape. However, in this condition, a much larger solid particle <NUM>-h-<NUM> may be achievable at the same tube diameter <NUM>-h-<NUM> and flow rate as either of the other examples. <FIG> is exemplary only. It gives examples of how the coils geometry (i.e., surface features and tils in this case) may be modified to change the shape and size of solid produced.

<FIG> shows aspects of systems <NUM>-i-<NUM>, <NUM>-i-<NUM>, <NUM>-i-<NUM>, and <NUM>-i-<NUM> in accordance with various embodiments that may show how a coil <NUM> may not necessarily be a simple homogeneous device. Instead, it may take advantage of multiple geometric aspects to produce various different effects, which may optimally solidify a second fluid entrained within a first fluid. The second fluid may be an example of the second fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example; the first fluid may be an example of the first fluid <NUM> of <FIG> or <FIG>, for example. Systems <NUM>-i-<NUM>, <NUM>-i-<NUM>, <NUM>-i-<NUM>, and <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be examples of aspects of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, system <NUM>-c of <FIG>, system <NUM>-d of <FIG>, system <NUM>-e of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-f of <FIG>. In system <NUM>-i-<NUM>, a simple homogeneous coil <NUM>-i-<NUM> with a constant diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be shown. The first fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be mixed in the mixing nozzle <NUM>-i-<NUM> and then may enter the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>. The flow in the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be such that the hydrodynamics automatically create solidifying second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> of a certain size and/or shape. At the outlet of the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>, this mixture <NUM>-i-<NUM> may exit as a combined flow. In system <NUM>-i-<NUM>, the coil may include two zones <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a,<NUM>-i-<NUM>-b in order to achieve a different solidification outcome. The first fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be mixed in the mixing nozzle <NUM>-i-<NUM> and then may enter the coil. The first section of the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b may have a specific diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b and surface feature that may allow for the solid particle size or shape to be adjusted. For example, it may have a larger diameter at the same flow rate of first fluid. This zone may allow for this larger solid particle to be formed <NUM>-i-<NUM> and partially solidified. The solid then may flow into the second zone <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a where it may flow through a smooth surface coil and may solidify to the desired outlet condition. In this way, a desired solid particle size may be produced in one section of coil and then may be solidified to a desired amount in a separate section with different flow conditions. The mixture <NUM>-i-<NUM> may then exit the coil. In system <NUM>-i-<NUM>, the coil may be shown with two different diameters. The first fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be mixed in the mixing nozzle <NUM>-i-<NUM> and then may enter the coil. In the first section of the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a, the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a may be formed at one set of flow conditions based on the flow rate and diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a. The mixed flow then may enter the second section of the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b where the diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b may be dramatically different, changing the hydrodynamics considerably. The second fluid that may be partially solidified in the first section of the coil now may adapt to the new flow conditions. This new form <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b may include a change in diameter, a change in shape from spherical to elliptical, a change in position/velocity within the coil to manipulate heat transfer, and/or a breakage in the partially solidified particles to re-form into non-geometric highly organic shapes. The outlet of this coil may produce a mixed flow <NUM>-i-<NUM> of the two fluids at the desired solidification limit. System <NUM>-i-<NUM> may show a coil with two different orientations with respect to gravity and two different diameters. The first fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> and the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be mixed in the mixing nozzle <NUM>-i-<NUM> and then may enter the coil. In the first section of the coil <NUM>-i-<NUM>, the second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a may be formed at one set of flow conditions based on the flow rate and diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM>-a. The mixed flow then may enter the second section of the coil, which may also be the storage container <NUM>-i-<NUM> for the first fluid. Although this section of the coil may be considered a container, that may be only because it may have a large overall diameter <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b. In this section of the coil, gravitational acceleration may pull the partially solidified second fluid down toward the flow of the mixture from the first section of the coil. This may create a fluidized bed that may continually mix the solidifying second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM>-b with the first fluid coming from the first section of the coil. The desirably solidified solid second fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may then be taken from the container and the first fluid <NUM>-i-<NUM> may be taken from the container to recirculate through the system. <FIG> is exemplary in nature. The combinations of different sections of the coil may be done in any number of ways and different features may be combined to produce a solid particle or mass of different shape and size. Furthermore, the different sections may be combined in order to produce optimum heat transfer resulting in a desired solid particle size, smaller overall equipment size, and/or more efficient operation.

<FIG> provide systems <NUM>-j and <NUM>-k that may show how a coil <NUM> may be constructed using round cross sections in accordance with various embodiments. Systems <NUM>-j and/or <NUM>-k may be examples of aspects of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, system <NUM>-c of <FIG>, system <NUM>-d of <FIG>, system <NUM>-e of <FIG>, and/or <NUM>-f of <FIG>. In the first system <NUM>-j, a helical smooth surface coil <NUM>-j may be shown. A first fluid <NUM>-j may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-j where a second fluid <NUM>-j may be injected. A mixture <NUM>-j may flow through the coil <NUM>-j until the second fluid <NUM>-j may be solidified to the desired degree. In the second example <NUM>, a fluid that includes a first fluid <NUM>-k and a second fluid <NUM>-k may flow through a coil <NUM> -k made of straight sections <NUM> and curved sections <NUM>. The first fluid <NUM>-k may be injected into the mixing nozzle <NUM>-k where it may be mixed with the second fluid <NUM>-k. After this, the mixtures may flow through the straight sections <NUM> and the curved sections <NUM> until the second fluid <NUM>-k may solidify to a desired level before exiting <NUM>-k. These two examples are only exemplary. They may illustrate how coils may be made of continuous or discrete sections, for example. Furthermore, and considering the features described in <FIG>, these manufacturing techniques may not need to be consistent throughout the entire coil.

<FIG> provides two views of a system <NUM>-<NUM> that may include a coil <NUM>-l with a rectangular profile in accordance with various embodiments; the views may include an assembled view and an exploded view. System <NUM>-l may be an example of aspects of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, system <NUM>-c of <FIG>, system <NUM>-d of <FIG>, system <NUM>-e of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-f of <FIG>. This example may illustrate that the term coil may not be reserved to circular profiles but may include other profile shapes. The coil <NUM>-l may include repeated rectangular plates <NUM> that may be separated by flow control gaskets <NUM> that may route the fluid flow, which may include a first fluid <NUM>-l and a second fluid <NUM>-l, from the visual top of the unit to the bottom and then into the next plate <NUM> where the flow may be opposite and may take the fluid back to the visual top of the coil. Addition internal alternating baffles <NUM> may provide a larger flow length and a desired flow channel dimension. In this coil, the first fluid <NUM>-l and the second fluid <NUM>-l may be injected at the inlet of the coil. The mixing nozzle <NUM>-l in this case may be directly integrated into the coil. The mixture may flow through the rectangular profile until it may reach the outlet flow <NUM>-l at the desired level of solidification. <FIG> is exemplary in nature. It may show how the coil described in accordance with various embodiments may not have a circular profile or an overall helical/circular nature.

<FIG> provides a system <NUM>-m in accordance with various embodiments that may highlight another way of controlling the shape and/or size of a solidified second fluid <NUM>-m with respect to a coil <NUM>-m and mixing nozzle <NUM>-m. Systems <NUM>-m may be an example of aspects of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, system <NUM>-c of <FIG>, system <NUM>-d of <FIG>, system <NUM>-e of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-f of <FIG>. A first fluid <NUM>-m may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-m through an entrance region <NUM> and then may enter the mixing nozzle itself <NUM>-m when the fluids carrying the fluids may converge. The second fluid <NUM>-m may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-m but may not initially mix with the first fluid <NUM>-m; instead, it may run in a tube <NUM> inside the mixing nozzle <NUM>-m for a length <NUM> that may allow the flow of the first fluid <NUM>-m to stabilize after the mixing nozzle <NUM>-m. This region may exist inside the coil <NUM>-m. The diameter of the inner tube <NUM> may be selected with respect to the diameter <NUM>-m of the coil <NUM>-m such that the shape and/or size of the resulting second fluid <NUM>-m droplets may be well controlled in the outlet mixture <NUM>-m and the final solidified shape of the solidified second fluid <NUM>-m may be controlled. <FIG> may highlight how the mixing nozzle may also be designed to control the shape and size of the solid. If the diameters of these two tubes <NUM>,<NUM>-m may be controlled properly, the relative velocity at the injection point may be controlled. If this relative velocity may be high, a small spherical solid may be created where as if this relative velocity may be low, a larger and elliptical solid may be created. Furthermore, this design may be independent of the flow conditions later downstream in the coil <NUM>-m. As such, it may be possible to use this injection region to establish solid characteristics, such as ice characteristics, before the fully developed coil characteristics take over or to create sections with multiple injection points further downstream with very different properties.

<FIG> provides a system <NUM>-n in accordance with various that may highlight another way of controller the shape and/or size of a solidified second fluid with respect to a coil <NUM>-n and mixing nozzle <NUM>-n in accordance with various embodiments. Systems <NUM>-n may be an example of aspects of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-a of <FIG>, system <NUM>-c of <FIG>, system <NUM>-d of <FIG>, system <NUM>-e of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-f of <FIG>. A first fluid <NUM>-n may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-n through an entrance region <NUM>-n and then may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-n itself when the fluids carrying the fluids may converge. A second fluid <NUM>-n may enter the mixing nozzle <NUM>-n but may not initially mix with the first fluid <NUM>-n; instead, it may run in a tube <NUM>-n inside the mixing nozzle for a length <NUM>-n that may allow the flow of the first fluid <NUM>-n to stabilize after the mixing nozzle <NUM>-n. This region may exist inside the coil <NUM>-n. The diameter of the inner tube <NUM>-n and the geometry of the injection nozzle, for example the angle <NUM>, may be selected with respect to the diameter of the coil <NUM>-n such that the shape and/or size of the resulting second fluid droplets may be well controlled in the outlet mixture <NUM>-n and the final solidified shape of the solidified second fluid may be controlled. <FIG> may highlight how the mixing nozzle <NUM>-n may also be designed to control the shape and/or size of the solid. If the diameters of these two tubes <NUM>-n,<NUM>-n may be controlled properly, the relative velocity at the injection point may be controlled. If this relative velocity may be high, a small spherical solid may be created where as if this relative velocity may be low, a larger and elliptical solid may be created. Furthermore, this design may be independent of the flow conditions later downstream in the coil <NUM>-n. As such, it may be possible to use this injection region to establish solid characteristics, such as ice characteristics, before the fully developed coil characteristics may take over or to create sections with multiple injection points further downstream with very different properties.

Turning now to <FIG>, some embodiments may utilize a cold surface that may be protected by a first fluid. A second fluid may be allowed to come in near contact with the cold surface and solidify. The protection from the immiscible fluid may allow for the solid to be removed using a less or minimally complicated and/or low power mechanical device.

The fluids used in various embodiments are generally immiscible, which may allow for them to physically and/or thermally contact each other throughout the process. Additionally, the first fluid may be chosen based on its affinity for the cold surface. If it has a higher affinity for the surface than the second fluid, surface tension effects may overpower buoyancy or mechanical forces and the cold surface may be protected.

In some embodiments, the first fluid is a non-polar material and the second fluid is a polar material. For example, the first fluid may include a hydrocarbon, aromatic, fluorinated, or silicone oil, where an example of the second fluid may include an immiscible polar fluid, such as water, acidic acid, formic acid or other carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene or polyethylene glycol, medium sized alcohols such as tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid is a polar material and the second fluid is a non-polar material. For example, the first fluid may include water, alcohol, propylene or ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid where the second fluid may include a fluorinated oil, cresol, a high molecular weight silicon oil, a high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil or paraffin, a thermoset polymer, or a metallic alloy. In some embodiments, if the cold surface is a metal or plastic, the oil may preferentially cover the surface protecting it even under high hydrostatic or mechanical loading from the water, which may allow for high heat transfer between the water and cold surface but leaving the water poorly adhered to the surface so it may be removed with low power and mechanical complexity.

For example, <FIG> shows a system <NUM>-o for solid production in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-o may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG> and/or system <NUM>-b of <FIG>.

A first fluid <NUM>-o may be released from a storage container <NUM>-o and allowed to flow into a volume <NUM>. A second fluid <NUM>-o may be released from a storage container <NUM>-o and allowed to flow into the same volume <NUM>. The first fluid <NUM>-o and the second fluid <NUM>-o may be immiscible with respect to each other. Inside the volume <NUM>, there may a mechanism such as solid remover <NUM>-o, that may move along a cold surface <NUM>-o that surrounds the volume <NUM>. The first fluid <NUM>-o may have an affinity for the surface <NUM>-o such that the second fluid <NUM>-o may approach the cold surface <NUM>-o and may solidify due to its cold temperature, but it cannot adhere well to the surface <NUM>-o. This may allow the solid remover <NUM>-o to remove solid form of the second fluid <NUM>-o from the surface <NUM>-o at a low speed and torque. The second fluid <NUM>-o may solidify to the desired solid content before leaving the system as a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid <NUM>-o. The cold surface <NUM>-o may be maintained by a second volume <NUM> that may surround the first volume <NUM> and may be chilled with a supply of refrigerant <NUM>. Once the refrigerant <NUM> removes heat from the cold surface <NUM>-o, it may leave the system via as outlet refrigerant <NUM>.

The first fluid <NUM>-o and the second fluid <NUM>-o may be delivered to the volume <NUM> and/or cold surfaced <NUM>-o through a variety of conduits <NUM>. For example, conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM> may deliver second fluid <NUM>-o to a combiner <NUM> where it may be combined with the first fluid <NUM>-o delivered through conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM>; the combined fluids may then be delivered to the volume <NUM> and/or cold surface <NUM>-o. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-o and the second fluid <NUM>-o may be separately delivered to volume <NUM> and/or cold surface <NUM>-o. For example, conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM> may deliver the second fluid <NUM>-o separately from the first fluid <NUM>-o delivered through conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-o may be delivered to the volume <NUM> and/or cold surface <NUM>-o through conduit <NUM>-o-6that may be coupled with the solid remover <NUM>-o, which may facilitate deliver of the first fluid <NUM>-o to the cold surface <NUM>-o. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM>-o may be delivered to the volume <NUM> and/or cold surface <NUM>-o through conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM> that may be coupled with the solid remover <NUM>-o, which may facilitate deliver of the second fluid <NUM>-o to the cold surface <NUM>-o. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-o may be delivered to the volume <NUM> and/or cold surface <NUM>-o through conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM> coupled with solid remover <NUM>-o, while the second fluid <NUM>-o may be delivered through conduit <NUM>-o-<NUM>.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-p for solid production in accordance with various embodiments; detail A of system <NUM>-p may be highlighted also. System <NUM>-p may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-b of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-o of <FIG>. System <NUM>-p may show an embodiment where a cold surface <NUM>-p is the inside surface of a jacketed tube-in-tube heat exchanger and the solid remover includes an auger <NUM>-p. A first fluid <NUM>-p may be supplied to the internal volume <NUM>-p simultaneous to the supply of a second fluid <NUM>-p. The first fluid <NUM>-p may have an affinity for the cold surface <NUM>-p. The first fluid <NUM>-p and the second fluid <NUM>-p may be immiscible with respect to each other. The cold surface <NUM>-p may comprise the entire cylindrical form of the device with the auger <NUM>-p at the center that scrapes the cold surface <NUM>-p. The heat may be removed from the cold surface <NUM>-p by a jacketed volume <NUM>-p that may be filled with refrigerant <NUM>-p, and may exit as outlet refrigerant flow <NUM>-p. The first fluid <NUM>-p and the second fluid <NUM>-p may leave the volume as a mixture <NUM>-p after the second fluid <NUM>-p has solidified to the desired level.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-q for solid production in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-q may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-b of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-o of <FIG>. With respect to system <NUM>-q, a cold surface <NUM>-q may be wrapped around a drum with a rotating tool <NUM>-q inside that may remove the solid. A first fluid <NUM>-q may be released from a storage container <NUM>-q while a second fluid <NUM>-q may be released from a second storage container <NUM>-q. The first fluid <NUM>-q may have an affinity for the cold surface <NUM>-p. The first fluid <NUM>-q and the second fluid <NUM>-q may be immiscible with respect to each other. The first fluid <NUM>-q and the second fluid <NUM>-q may flow within a volume <NUM>-q inside the drum that may not occupied by the rotating tool <NUM>-q where the second fluid <NUM>-q solidifies. It then may leave as a mixture of solid and liquid <NUM>-q. The drum may be cooled by an external volume that may hold a refrigerant flowing as an inlet flow <NUM>-q to an outlet flow <NUM>-q.

The first fluid <NUM>-q and the second fluid <NUM>-q may be delivered to the volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q through a variety of conduits <NUM>-q. For example, conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM> may deliver second fluid <NUM>-q to a combiner <NUM>-q where it may be combined with the first fluid <NUM>-q delivered through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM>; the combined fluids may then be delivered to the volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q.

In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-q and the second fluid <NUM>-q may be separately delivered to volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q. For example, conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM> may deliver the second fluid <NUM>-q separately from the first fluid <NUM>-q delivered through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-q may be delivered to the volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM> that may be coupled with the rotating tool <NUM>-q, which may facilitate deliver of the first fluid <NUM>-q to the cold surface <NUM>-q. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM>-q may be delivered to the volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM> that may be coupled with the rotating tool <NUM>-q, which may facilitate deliver of the second fluid <NUM>-q to the cold surface <NUM>-q. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-q may be delivered to the volume <NUM>-q and/or cold surface <NUM>-q through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM> coupled with rotating tool <NUM>-q, while the second fluid <NUM>-q may be delivered through conduit <NUM>-q-<NUM>.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-r for solid production in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-r may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG> and/or system <NUM>-b of <FIG>. With respect to system <NUM>-r, a first fluid <NUM>-r may be released from a storage container <NUM>-r, while a second fluid <NUM>-r may be released from a second storage container <NUM>-r. The first fluid <NUM>-r and/or the second fluid <NUM>-r may be allowed to flow onto a cold surface <NUM>-r. The first fluid <NUM>-r may have an affinity for the cold surface <NUM>-r. The first fluid <NUM>-r and the second fluid <NUM>-r may be immiscible with respect to each other. On top of this surface there may be a mechanism, such as a linear scrapper <NUM>-r, that may move along the cold surface <NUM>-r. The first fluid's affinity for the surface <NUM>-r may mean that the second fluid <NUM>-r may approach the cold surface <NUM>-r and solidify due to its cold temperature, but it cannot adhere well to the surface <NUM>-r. This may allow the mechanism <NUM>-r to remove solid from the surface <NUM>-r at a low speed and torque. The second fluid <NUM>-r may solidify to the desired solid content before leaving the surface <NUM>-r as a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid <NUM>-r. The cold surface <NUM>-r may be maintained by a volume <NUM>-r that may boarder one side of the surface <NUM>-r and may be chilled with a supply of refrigerant flow <NUM>-r. Once the refrigerant removes heat from the cold surface <NUM>-r, it may leave the volume <NUM>-r via outlet refrigerant flow <NUM>-r.

The first fluid <NUM>-r and the second fluid <NUM>-r may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r through a variety of conduits <NUM>-r. For example, conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM> may deliver second fluid <NUM>-r to a combiner <NUM>-r where it may be combined with the first fluid <NUM>-r delivered through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM>; the combined fluids may then be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-r and the second fluid <NUM>-r may be separately delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r. For example, conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM> may deliver the second fluid <NUM>-r separately from the first fluid <NUM>-r delivered through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-r may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM> that may be coupled with the linear scrapper <NUM>-r, which may facilitate deliver of the first fluid <NUM>-r to the cold surface <NUM>-r. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM>-r may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM> that may be coupled with the linear scraper <NUM>-r, which may facilitate deliver of the second fluid <NUM>-r to the cold surface <NUM>-r. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-r may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-r through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM> coupled with linear scrapper <NUM>-r, while the second fluid <NUM>-r may be delivered through conduit <NUM>-r-<NUM>.

<FIG> shows a system <NUM>-s for solid production in accordance with various embodiments. System <NUM>-s may be an example of system <NUM> of <FIG>, system <NUM>-b of <FIG>, and/or system <NUM>-r of <FIG>. With respect to system <NUM>-s, a first fluid <NUM>-s may be released from a storage container <NUM>-s; a second fluid <NUM>-s may be released from a second storage container <NUM>-s. The first fluid <NUM>-s and the second fluid <NUM>-s may be immiscible with respect to each other. The first fluid <NUM>-s and the second fluid <NUM>-s may be allowed to flow onto a cold surface <NUM>-s. The first fluid <NUM>-s may have an affinity for the cold surface <NUM>-s. On top of this surface <NUM>-s, there may be two parallel mechanisms, such as linear scrappers <NUM>-s-<NUM> and <NUM>-s-<NUM>, that may move back and forth over the cold surface <NUM>-s. The second fluid <NUM>-s may solidify to the desired solid content before leaving the surface <NUM>-s as a mixture <NUM>-s of the first fluid <NUM>-s and the second fluid <NUM>-s. The cold surface <NUM>-s may be maintained at a low temperature by a refrigerant <NUM>-s flowing through a volume directly behind the surface <NUM>-s. Once the refrigerant removes heat from the cold surface <NUM>-s, it may leave the system via an outlet refrigerant flow <NUM>-s.

The first fluid <NUM>-s and the second fluid <NUM>-s may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s through a variety of conduits <NUM>-s. For example, conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM> may deliver second fluid <NUM>-s to a combiner <NUM>-s where it may be combined with the first fluid <NUM>-s delivered through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM>; the combined fluids may then be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-s and the second fluid <NUM>-s may be separately delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s. For example, conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM> may deliver the second fluid <NUM>-s separately from the first fluid <NUM>-s delivered through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-s may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM> that may be coupled with the linear scrapper <NUM>-s-<NUM> (and/or linear scrapper <NUM>-s-<NUM>), which may facilitate deliver of the first fluid <NUM>-s to the cold surface <NUM>-s. In some embodiments, the second fluid <NUM>-s may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM> that may be coupled with the linear scraper <NUM>-s-<NUM> (and/or linear scrapper <NUM>-s-<NUM>), which may facilitate deliver of the second fluid <NUM>-s to the cold surface <NUM>-s. In some embodiments, the first fluid <NUM>-s may be delivered to the cold surface <NUM>-s through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM> coupled with linear scrapper <NUM>-s-<NUM>, while the second fluid <NUM>-s may be delivered through conduit <NUM>-s-<NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, a method of solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. Method <NUM> may be implemented by a variety of systems such as those shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <FIG>.

At block <NUM>, a first fluid may be contacted with a second fluid to facilitate solidifying the second fluid; the first fluid and the second fluid may be immiscible with respect to each other. At block <NUM>, the second fluid may be solidified.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, the first fluid includes a non-polar material and the second fluid includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, the first fluid includes a polar material and the second fluid includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water and the second fluid includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes aromatic oil and the second fluid includes water. Some embodiments further include cooling the first fluid before entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid and the second fluid are cooled simultaneously.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes flowing the first fluid and the second fluid through a coil to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid. In some embodiments, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid form the second fluid into one or more solidified shapes. The one or more solidified shapes may be formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. The one or more features of the coil may control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid that form the second fluid into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. The one or more features of the coil may include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in orientation of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in diameter of the coil.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a parallel flow to the first fluid. In some embodiments, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to one or more cold surfaces; the first fluid may have an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. Some embodiments include removing a solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces. The first fluid may coat at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and interferes with the second fluid from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid includes water.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes mixing the second fluid with the first fluid before introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes separately introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, the one or more cold surfaces are comprised of a metal. Some embodiments may include other materials such as plastic, ceramic, and/or glass for the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from one or more planar cold surfaces.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM>-a of solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. Method <NUM>-a may be implemented by a variety of systems such as those shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <FIG>. Method <NUM>-a may be an example of method <NUM> of <FIG>.

At block <NUM>-a, a second fluid may be entrained within a first fluid to facilitate solidifying the second fluid; the first fluid and the second fluid may be immiscible with respect to each other. At block <NUM>-a, the second fluid may be solidified within the first fluid.

Some embodiments of method <NUM>-a further include cooling the first fluid before entraining the second fluid within the first fluid. In some embodiments, the first fluid and the second fluid are cooled simultaneously.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-a, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes flowing the first fluid and the second fluid through a coil to solidify at least a portion of the second fluid. In some embodiments, one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid form the second fluid into one or more solidified shapes. The one or more solidified shapes may be formed with at least a predictable size or a predictable shape. The one or more features of the coil may control the one or more hydrodynamic properties of the first fluid that form the second fluid into the one or more solidified shapes formed with at least the predictable size or the predictable shape. The one or more features of the coil may include at least one or more diameters of the coil, one or more geometries of the coil, one or more interior structures of the coil, one or more orientations of the coil, or one or more lengths of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in orientation of the coil. The one or more features of the coil may include a change in diameter of the coil.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-a, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a parallel flow to the first fluid. In some embodiments, entraining the second fluid within the first fluid includes introducing the second fluid as a perpendicular flow to the first fluid.

In some embodiments of method <NUM>-a, the first fluid includes a non-polar material and the second fluid includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes aromatic oil and the second fluid includes water.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-a, the first fluid includes a polar material and the second fluid includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water and the second fluid includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer.

<FIG> shows a method <NUM>-b of solid production is provided in accordance with various embodiments. Method <NUM>-b may be implemented by a variety of systems such as those shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or <FIG>. Method <NUM>-b may be an example of method <NUM> of <FIG>.

At block <NUM>-b, a first fluid and a second fluid may be introduced with respect to one or more cold surfaces. The first fluid may have an affinity for the one or more cold surfaces. Furthermore, the first fluid and the second fluid may be immiscible with respect to each other. At block <NUM>-b, the second fluid may be solidified with respect to the one or more cold surfaces. At block <NUM>, a solidified form of the second fluid may be removed from the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of method <NUM>-b, the first fluid may coat at least a portion of the one or more cold surfaces and interferes with the second fluid from adhering to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid includes water.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-b, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes mixing the second fluid with the first fluid before introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces. In some embodiments, contacting the first fluid with the second fluid includes separately introducing the first fluid and the second fluid with respect to the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-b, the one or more cold surfaces are comprised of a metal. Some embodiments may include other materials such as plastic, ceramic, and/or glass for the one or more cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-b, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing an auger to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a cylindrically-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing a rotating scrapper to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from a drum-shaped cold surface. In some embodiments, removing the solidified form of the second fluid from the one or more cold surfaces includes utilizing one or more linear scrappers to remove the solidified form of the second fluid from one or more planar cold surfaces.

In some embodiments of method <NUM>-b, the first fluid includes a non-polar material and the second fluid includes a polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least hydrocarbon oil, aromatic oil, fluorinated oil, or silicone oil. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least water, acidic acid, formic acid, carbocyclic acids, sulfuric acid, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, tert-butyl, or DMSO. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes hydrocarbon oil and the second fluid includes water.

In some embodiments of the method <NUM>-b, the first fluid includes a polar material and the second fluid includes a non-polar material. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes at least water, alcohol, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, DMSO, ammonia, or nitric acid. In some embodiments, the second fluid includes at least fluorinated oil, cresol, high molecular weight silicon oil, high molecular weight hydrocarbon oil, high molecular weight paraffin, thermoset polymer, or metallic alloy. In some embodiments, the first fluid includes water and the second fluid includes at least high-molecular weight paraffin or thermoset polymer.

These embodiments may not capture the full extent of combination and permutations of materials and process equipment. However, they may demonstrate the range of applicability of the method, devices, and/or systems. The different embodiments may utilize more or fewer stages than those described.

It should be noted that the methods, systems and devices discussed above are intended merely to be examples. It must be stressed that various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and that various stages may be added, omitted or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, it should be emphasized that technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are exemplary in nature and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the embodiments.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which may be depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram or as stages. Although each may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional stages not included in the figure.

Claim 1:
A method for a production of solids comprising:
forming a first flow of a first fluid (<NUM>) using a pump (<NUM>);
entraining a second fluid (<NUM>) within the first flow of the first fluid to form a second flow that includes the first fluid and the second fluid using a nozzle (<NUM>), wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are immiscible with respect to each other;
flowing the second flow of the second fluid entrained within the first fluid through a coil (<NUM>); and at least partially solidifying inside the coil the second fluid entrained within the first fluid due to the heat exchange between the warmer second fluid and the cold first fluid.