Liquid Ice Research Articles

Evaluating Arctic clouds modelled with the Unified Model and Integrated Forecasting System

Abstract. By synthesising remote-sensing measurements made in the central Arctic into a model-gridded Cloudnet cloud product, we evaluate how well the Met Office Unified Model (UM) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) capture Arctic clouds and their associated interactions with the surface energy balance and the thermodynamic structure of the lower troposphere. This evaluation was conducted using a 4-week observation period from the Arctic Ocean 2018 expedition, where the transition from sea ice melting to freezing conditions was measured. Three different cloud schemes were tested within a nested limited-area model (LAM) configuration of the UM – two regionally operational single-moment schemes (UM_RA2M and UM_RA2T) and one novel double-moment scheme (UM_CASIM-100) – while one global simulation was conducted with the IFS, utilising its default cloud scheme (ECMWF_IFS). Consistent weaknesses were identified across both models, with both the UM and IFS overestimating cloud occurrence below 3 km. This overestimation was also consistent across the three cloud configurations used within the UM framework, with >90 % mean cloud occurrence simulated between 0.15 and 1 km in all the model simulations. However, the cloud microphysical structure, on average, was modelled reasonably well in each simulation, with the cloud liquid water content (LWC) and ice water content (IWC) comparing well with observations over much of the vertical profile. The key microphysical discrepancy between the models and observations was in the LWC between 1 and 3 km, where most simulations (all except UM_RA2T) overestimated the observed LWC. Despite this reasonable performance in cloud physical structure, both models failed to adequately capture cloud-free episodes: this consistency in cloud cover likely contributes to the ever-present near-surface temperature bias in every simulation. Both models also consistently exhibited temperature and moisture biases below 3 km, with particularly strong cold biases coinciding with the overabundant modelled cloud layers. These biases are likely due to too much cloud-top radiative cooling from these persistent modelled cloud layers and were consistent across the three UM configurations tested, despite differences in their parameterisations of cloud on a sub-grid scale. Alarmingly, our findings suggest that these biases in the regional model were inherited from the global model, driving a cause–effect relationship between the excessive low-altitude cloudiness and the coincident cold bias. Using representative cloud condensation nuclei concentrations in our double-moment UM configuration while improving cloud microphysical structure does little to alleviate these biases; therefore, no matter how comprehensive we make the cloud physics in the nested LAM configuration used here, its cloud and thermodynamic structure will continue to be overwhelmingly biased by the meteorological conditions of its driving model.

Numerical study of ice slurry flow and heat transfer in successive U-bends as part of tubular heat exchangers

Using ice slurry can assist the energy saving in cooling systems. Ice slurries are used as secondary refrigerant in large cooling systems. They are mixtures of tiny ice particles in water and an antifreezing agent. The cooling can be stored in ice particles during off-peak conditions and released during peak condition. The stored cooling in ice slurry must be delivered to the desired system through a heat exchanger. Successive U-bend pipes commonly exist in tubular heat exchangers. However, this configuration has not been investigated yet for ice slurries. The present study aims to investigate the heat transfer of these mixtures in successive in-plane U-bends as part of heat exchangers. Mass transfer between ice slurry and fluid is the main important part of this problem which is considered in the present study. For the simulation of ice slurry, the Eulerian two-fluid numerical method is used along with the consideration of mass transfer between two phases and the kinetic theory of granular flow for ice particles viscosity. Nusselt number and pressure drops are mainly studied for different geometric configurations. The length between two bends are changed from 50 to 400 mm and the radius of curvatures of the bends are changed from 50 to 100 mm. The results of the study indicated that the average Nusselt number increases with the radius of curvature and distance between two U-bend pipes. Two successive U-bends neutralize each other's centrifigual effects, then ice particles have chances to rearrange and reduce the wall temperature in each bend. This effect is more prominent in higher distances between two bends and higher radii of curvature. At low radius of curvatures, the variation of distance between two bends has stronger effect on heat transfer of the system; in such a way that by doubling the distance between two bends, the Nusselt number increases 4.1% and 1.5% respectively for radius of curvatures 50 mm and 100 mm. Also it was shown that by increasing the radius of curvature and distance between two U-bend pipes the skin friction coefficient increases. It can be seen that by increasing the ratio of the distance between two bends to the radius, the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) increases.

Technical note: Sublimation of frozen CsCl solutions in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) – determining the number and size of salt particles relevant to sea salt aerosols

Abstract. We present a novel technique that elucidates the mechanism of the formation of small aerosolizable salt particles from salty frozen samples. We demonstrated that CsCl may be a suitable probe for sea salts due to its similar subzero properties and sublimation outcomes: CsCl substantially increased the visibility of the salt both during and after ice sublimation. Hence, we identified the factors that, during the sublimation of a frozen salty solution, are important in generating fine salt particles as a possible source of salt aerosol. The number, size, and structure of the particles that remain after ice sublimation were investigated with respect to the concentration of the salt in the sample, the freezing method, and the sublimation temperature. The last-named aspect is evidently of primary importance for the preference of fine salt crystals over a large compact piece of salt; we showed that the formation of small salt particles is generally restricted if the brine is liquid during the ice sublimation, i.e. at temperatures higher than the eutectic temperature (Teu). Small salt particles that might be a source of atmospheric aerosols were formed predominantly at temperatures below Teu, and their structures strongly depended on the concentration of the salt. For example, the sublimation of those samples that exhibited a concentration of less than 0.05 M often produced small aerosolizable isolated particles that are readily able to be windblown. Conversely, the sublimation of 0.5 M samples led to the formation of relatively stable and largely interconnected salt structures. Our findings are in good agreement with other laboratory studies which have unsuccessfully sought salt aerosols from, for example, frost flowers at temperatures above Teu. This study offers an explanation of the previously unexplored behaviour.

Development and optimization of experimental parameters for the detection of trace of heavy metal (Cr) in liquid samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique

Detection of traces of impurities/elements present in liquid samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is challenging because the signal intensity is weaker than in the case of solid samples. The present paper deals with the optimization of experimental parameters for different phases of a liquid sample and the improvement of the limit of detection (LOD) in these LIBS experimental setups. LIBS spectra of chromium in the liquid sample have been recorded in three different configurations [laminar flow, i.e., liquid flowing through a small jet, frozen liquid (ice), and liquid deposited on a filter paper]. Experimental conditions for different phases were optimized to get a better signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and signal-to-background ratio (S/B) in the LIBS spectra. The best S/N and S/B ratio is observed when LIBS spectra is recorded for the liquid deposited on the filter paper configuration. The spectral intensity of Cr is enhanced several folds (36 times) in the LIBS spectra recorded in the filter paper configuration as compared to the laminar flow. The calibration curve method is used to measure the LOD for three different configurations. The better LOD (9.7 ppm for 357.8 nm Cr line) is observed in the case of deposited liquid on the filter paper than the other liquid phase (laminar, 85.5 ppm and ice, 63.7 ppm) configurations.

Transferability of vibrational spectroscopic map from TIP4P to TIP4P-like water models.

We computed the IR, Raman, and sum frequency generation spectra of water in the OH-stretch region by employing the quantum/classical mixed approach that consists of a vibrational spectroscopic map and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. We carried out the MD simulation with the TIP4P, TIP4P/2005, and TIP4P/Ice models and applied the map designed for TIP4P by Skinner et al. to each MD trajectory. Although the map is not tuned for TIP4P-like models, TIP4P/2005 and TIP4P/Ice provide the best reproduction of the experimental vibrational spectra of liquid water and crystalline ice, respectively. This result demonstrates the transferability of the map from TIP4P to TIP4P/2005 and TIP4P/Ice, meaning that one can choose an appropriate TIP4P-like model to calculate the vibrational spectra of an aqueous system without rebuilding the map.

Study on the Dynamic Generation of Subcooled Water Using a Compact Heat Exchanger

The dynamic generation of ice slurry from subcooled water is one of the most promising ways to make ice; this process is utilized widely in ice storage air-conditioning systems. However, the random occurrence of ice blockage during the generation of subcooled water using conventional heat exchangers prevents the increase in subcooling, thereby reducing the efficiency of the release of the subcooled water and converting it into ice slurry. A more efficient approach to reducing the fluid passage time is to employ a compact heat exchanger with a highly efficient heat transfer performance, a heat transfer length of only 21.5 mm, and a hydraulic diameter of 0.32 mm. A compact heat exchanger was used to build a dynamic generation setup for subcooled water, and 40 wt% of non-freezing liquid and tap water was used as the working fluid for heat exchange to generate subcooled water. The results show that the compact heat exchanger can achieve a greater subcooling degree (3.8 K) and longer duration (108 min). This study further explored the potential for dynamic ice making from deep, subcooled water and improved the overall structure of the compact heat exchanger used. The experimental setup is recommended based on the analysis of the results.

Analysis of Energy-Saving Transport Conditions of Light-Particle Slurry

Ice slurry, as a new environmentally friendly cold storage medium, is widely used in the field of cold storage and air conditioning because of its excellent flow and heat transfer characteristics. Based on experimental data of slurry flow, the rheological properties of light-particle slurries composed of polyethylene particles and water were analyzed using the response surface method. Using the yield stress and viscosity as the responses and considering three key influencing factors (solid-phase content, particle size, and pipe diameter) simultaneously, the order and law influencing the rheological factors were found. This was a new attempt to find energy-saving conditions for light slurry particle transport using the response surface method. The results showed that the response surface method can select the minimum working condition of mixed slurry viscosity and yield stress to ensure the safe and energy-saving transport of slurry. Moreover, it was also found that the main factor influencing slurry yield stress is the pipe diameter, and the yield stress increases with increasing pipe diameter. The main factor influencing slurry viscosity is particle size, and the viscosity increases with increasing particle size.

Earth System and Water

Understanding the Earth as a system requires measurements and research into the interconnectedness of all parts of the system. The parts of the Earth are the core, mantle, crust, surface soil, oceans and fresh liquid water, ice and atmosphere. Their interrelationship is studied by physics, chemistry and biology, which deal with the earth as a system.

Investigation on the evolution of ice particles and ice slurry flow characteristics during subcooling release

For the subcooling method ice slurry generator, the characteristics of ice slurry during subcooling release have a significant impact on the efficiency and stability of the system. An object of this paper is to investigate the evolution and distribution of ice particles in supercooled water and the flow characteristics of ice slurry during subcooling release in horizontal straight pipe, based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Moreover, the population balance model (PBM) is adopted to research the growth, agglomeration and breakage of ice particles. The effects of velocity, subcooling degree and ice volume fraction at the inlet are investigated. In terms of pressure and velocity, the average error between numerical simulations and experimental results is approximately 10%. The results indicated that the evolution of ice particle diameters is significantly affected by the degree of subcooling, which contribute to the growth of ice particles. For each 1 K increase in supercooling degree, the particle diameter will increase by 50 µm. The temperature trend of water from the supercooled state to the phase equilibrium state is consistent with the evolution of ice particles. Besides, the ice volume fraction along the vertical axis at the outlet can be divided into low-concentration, high-concentration, and stable regions, which is significantly affected by the degree of supercooling. Close to the wall, the ice volume fraction drops sharply due to collisions between the wall and the particles. The velocity of the ice slurry is symmetrically distributed along the vertical axis.

Study on the ammonia-water two-stage evaporation absorption refrigeration system for the cooling process with temperature-distributed heat load

The absorption refrigeration system can recover low-grade heat and produce cooling capacity, which can realize low-carbon refrigeration. However, due to the constant-temperature evaporation, the conventional system fails to provide efficient cooling for temperature-distributed heat load with large temperature spans, including process cooling, mixture liquefaction and ice slurry making. In this paper, a modified ammonia-water absorption refrigeration system with two pairs of evaporation and absorption processes at different pressure levels is proposed, in order to enhance the temperature matching with the temperature-distributed heat load and promote the absorption heat recovery. A process model is developed and validated, and comparison and parametric studies are conducted to illustrate the advantages of the new system and optimize operating conditions. Results show that the proposed system is suitable for the cooling process with temperature-distributed heat load with large temperature span, and the exergy destruction during the cooling process with temperature-distributed heat load decreases by nearly 40%. Moreover, the system internal heat recovery is improved by harvesting absorption heat. As a consequence, the COP increases by 31% and reaches 0.75, when providing cooling capacity with temperature below -10 °C. It is hoped that this study raises concerns about the characteristics of temperature-distributed heat load and provides feasible approach for efficient cooling with large temperature span.

SCIATRAN software package (V4.6): update and further development of aerosol, clouds, surface reflectance databases and models

Abstract. Since the initiation of development at the Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP), University of Bremen, in 1994, the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN (formerly GOMETRAN) has been continuously improved and new versions have been released (Rozanov et al., 1997, 2002, 2005, 2014, 2017). In the course of development, the SCIATRAN software package became capable of simulating radiative transfer processes through the Earth's atmosphere or coupled atmosphere–ocean system with a variety of approaches to treat the sphericity of the atmosphere (plane-parallel, pseudo-spherical, approximately spherical and full-spherical solutions) in both scalar and vector modes. Supported by a variety of built-in databases and parameterizations, these capabilities made SCIATRAN widely used for various remote-sensing applications related to the retrieval of atmospheric trace gases and characteristics of aerosols, clouds and surfaces. This paper presents an overview of the cloud, aerosol and surface (CAS) databases and models implemented in the SCIATRAN software package (V4.6) and provides some recommendations on their usage. The new implementations offer potential users a flexible interface to perform radiative transfer simulations: (1) accounting for multilayer liquid water, ice and mixed-phase clouds; (2) employing typical aerosol-type parameterizations (including vertical variability) used in the satellite and model communities as well as updated databases; (3) including various surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and albedo models for land, vegetation, ocean, snow and melt ponds on sea ice. The most recent version of the radiative transfer model SCIATRAN is freely available at the website of the IUP, University of Bremen: http://www.iup.physik.uni-bremen.de/sciatran (last access: November 2022).

Study on enhanced heat transfer of a phase change material slurry in transverse corrugated tubes

Enhancing the heat transfer of ice slurry is a key to improving its application. The outward transverse corrugated tube (OTCT) presents a better heat transfer enhancement as an effective passive flow control method. In this paper, the thermo-fluidic performance and enhanced heat transfer mechanism of ice slurry in OTCT are numerically studied using Euler-Euler multiphase model. The results indicated that turbulent vortex of ice slurry in OTCT is enhanced with the rise in the ratio of corrugation height to diameter (H/D), and declined with rising the of ratio corrugation pitch to diameter (P/D), and ratio of corrugation pitch to width (W/D). The ice concentration presents a periodic fluctuation along the flow direction. The values of H/D, W/D, and P/D have a significant influence on the mass transfer for ice slurry. And the ice particle concentration displays more even distribution as increasing H/D, and decreasing W/D and the P/D. The average flow resistance (fave) and Nusselt number (Nuave) increase with the increasing H/D and decreasing P/D, and decrease with increasing W/D. Nuave presents a linear increase with Re. For the inlet ice volume fraction of αin = 10%, Nuave enlarges significantly by increasing the Re from 4950 to 9540 for different H/D, P/D, and W/D values. The performance evaluation criterion (PEC) reaches a maximum value for different H/D and P/D at Re = 9540 when W/D = 0.4, αin = 10%. For bigger inlet ice particle concentration, the increment of Nuave of ice slurry in OTCT is more significant at higher Re compared with the smooth tube. Meanwhile, under higher ice concentration, the overall heat transfer performance is more prominent at large Re. Finally, the empirical correlations of the fave and Nuave are established to predict the thermal–hydraulic performance of ice slurry flowing through OTCT.

The effects of ozonated slurry ice treatment on microbial, physicochemical, and quality of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during cold-chain circulation

Cold chains are effective in maintaining the quality of aquatic products and reducing food losses, especially for dynamic transportation. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effects of different ice treatments on the microbial, physicochemical, and quality characteristics of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during cold-chain circulation. Different ice treatments (flake ice (FI), slurry ice (SI), and ozonated slurry ice (OSI)) were used during circulation, respectively. Changes in microbial (total viable count (TVC), psychrophilic bacteria count (PBC), H2S-producing bacteria count, pseudomonas bacteria count), physicochemical (pH, K-value, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBA), biogenic amines (BAs) content, color difference, texture profile analysis (TPA)) was measured. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also measured to evaluate the feasibility of preservation methods. The results demonstrated that compared with SI treatment, the growth of psychrophilic bacteria, H2S-producing bacteria, and pseudomonas bacteria was inhibited by OSI treatment on the 21st day (0.55, 0.24, and 0.73 log CFU/g reduction, respectively). Besides, OSI treatment exhibited inhibitory activity toward K-value and BAs during storage, along with texture softening. Compared with FI treatment, OSI could retard the water migration and extend the shelf-life of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) for another 6 days. Therefore, ozonated slurry ice will be a promising long-term preservation method for maintaining the quality of large yellow croaker.

Viscosity of ice-in-oil slurries

Ice slurries are phase change materials extensively used in refrigeration technology. This work describes an experimental study and empirical modeling that was carried out to characterize the rheological behavior of ice-in-oil slurries. Decane and crushed ice were mixed to prepare test samples with ice volume percentages ranging from 3.5 to 17.7%. The size of the particles was 0.27±0.13mm. The viscosity measurements are performed at −2.5, −5.0, and −10.0°C using a rotational viscometer with a three-bladed impeller. The maximum relative velocity was ∼3.1 for 17.7% vol. concentration. A Bingham viscoplastic model was used to predict the rheological behavior of ice-in-oil slurries. The fractal dimension, packing limit, size of ice particles, and inter-particle cohesive forces were all considered in rheological calculations to make the model extensively applicable. The model accuracy is then examined using third-party experiments and experimental findings from the current study. The model appears to be a viable tool for predicting the viscosity of ice-in-oil slurries.

Performance improvement of combined cycle power plant with combined ice slurry thermal energy storage cooling and adsorption cooling

To increase the performance and power output of the conventional combined cycle power plant (CCPP), a combined cooling system (CombC) of adsorption cooling system (AdCS) and ice slurry thermal energy storage (ISTES) is proposed for CCPP inlet air cooling. A simplified model for CCPP power output prediction under different inlet air temperatures is developed, and it is verified through practical operational data. The power outputs and economic analyses of CCPP-CombC with different cooling energy storage scales are evaluated. For the present CCPP, AdCS with a maximum cooling capacity of 6000 kW and ISTES with 600 GJ of cooling energy storage completely cover the cooling demand of the CCPP. The daily electricity increment increases as the cooling energy storage scale increases, but with a declining growth rate. The net profit of the CCPP-CombC increases first and then decreases, and the maximum net profit appears when the cooling energy storage is 500 GJ, and it is 82.7 % and 17.0 % higher than the net profit when the cooling energy storage is 200 GJ and 600 GJ, respectively. Cost recovery occurs within 1 year of installing the combined cooling system.

Cold storage systems: present and future applications (a view from the Middle East region)

The aim of this article is to review the existing types of cold storage systems (СSS) based on known technologies and recommendations for their improvement. The article combines research, thermodynamic analysis, economic aspects and comparison of the quality of known СSS designs. The article is of interest for government officials, manufacturers, engineers, inventors and developers to determine the advantages and disadvantages of existing СSSs. The reasons constraining the use of СSS in Israel are given. Taking into account modern foreign experience in developing cold low-temperature energy tank designs and achievements of the ice-slurry production technology of pumped ice slurries, the CSS is proposed, a software is developed and technical and economic analysis of its operation is carried out.

Experimental study on supercooled water release supercooled state for generating ice crystals

Ice blocking and low single-cycle ice production rate are the two major deficiencies of supercooled water ice making. A lot of research has been done by domestic and foreign scholars on controlling ice blocking. The ice production rate of a single cycle is theoretically proportional to the degree of subcooling. In fact, the subcooling release also affects the ice slurry concentration. To improve the ice slurry concentration, this paper investigates the factors of affecting the degree of subcooling release, including three factors: ultrasonic power, subcooling degree, and the residence time of subcooled water in the ice slurry generator, and experiments with a way to produce high concentration ice slurry. The results showed that the greater the degree of subcooling, the deeper the degree of subcooling release; the ultrasonic power and the residence time of subcooled water in the ice slurry generator had little effect on the degree of subcooling release. The average ice content of the ice slurry reached 30.5% after 8 min of continuous ice production in the experiment.

Transport of ice slurry in the pipelines of central air conditioning systems in mining plants

The paper presents the phenomena accompanying the processes of non-adiabatic transport of ice slurry with ice mass fraction values below 20% in the transport sections of the system, assuming the conditions of significant changes in hydrostatic pressure. The subject of the analysis presented herein was to indicate the influence of hydrostatic pressure values on melting and secondary recrystallisation phenomena in the case of medium expansion in a vertical shaft pipeline and a three-chamber PES distributor. The paper proposes a computational model to determine the mass fraction of ice in the downstream section of the supply system: upstream and downstream of the PES distributor. The presented calculation results indicate that a reduction in the mass fraction of ice in the range of 0.004% per 1 m of the pipeline could be observed in vertical shaft pipelines. Maximising the enthalpy flux of the slurry at the inlet to the secondary circuit and minimising the temperature of the return water to the chiller favours mixing rates in the PES three-chamber distributor below 7%, which increase as the mass fraction of ice decreases.

VIIRS Edition 1 Cloud Properties for CERES, Part 1: Algorithm Adjustments and Results

Cloud properties are essential for the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Project, enabling accurate interpretation of measured broadband radiances, providing a means to understand global cloud-radiation interactions, and constituting an important climate record. Producing consistent cloud retrievals across multiple platforms is critical for generating a multidecadal cloud and radiation record. Techniques used by CERES for retrievals from measurements by the MODerate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on Terra and Aqua platforms are adapted for the application to radiances from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership to continue the CERES record beyond the MODIS era. The algorithm adjustments account for spectral and channel differences, use revised reflectance models, and set new thresholds for detecting thin cirrus clouds at night. Cloud amounts from VIIRS are less than their MODIS counterparts by 0.016 during the day and 0.026 at night, but trend consistently over the 2012–2020 period. The VIIRS mean liquid water cloud fraction differs by ~0.01 from the MODIS amount. The average cloud heights from VIIRS differ from the MODIS heights by less than 0.2 km, except the VIIRS daytime ice cloud heights, which are 0.4 km higher. The mean VIIRS nonpolar optical depths are 17% (1%) larger (smaller) than those from MODIS for liquid (ice) clouds. The VIIRS cloud hydrometeor sizes are generally smaller than their MODIS counterparts. Discrepancies between the MODIS and VIIRS properties stem from spectral and spatial resolution differences, new tests at night, calibration inconsistencies, and new reflectance models. Many of those differences will be addressed in future editions.

Influence of Fish Handling Practices Onboard Purse Seiners on Quality Parameters of Sardines (Sardina pilchardus) during Cold Storage.

Small pelagic fish are a rich source of high-quality proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, but they are highly perishable due to the activity of microorganisms, endogenous enzymes, and oxidation processes that affect their muscle tissues during storage. This study focused on analyzing the influence of fish handling practices onboard vessels on sensory quality attributes, pH, water holding capacity, TVB-N, proteolytic changes, and lipid oxidation in sardine muscle tissue during cold storage. Experiments were conducted onboard fishing vessels during regular work hours, with added consistency, accounting for similar sardine sizes (physiological and reproductive stages) under similar environmental conditions. Traditional handling practices, e.g., boarding the catch with brail nets and transporting the fish in plastic crates with flake ice, were compared with the use of modified aquaculture pumps for boarding the catch and transporting it in isothermic boxes submerged in ice slurry. Results confirmed significant differences in the parameters among the different fishing vessels, although no significant differences were found between the two methods of fish handling on board the vessels. The study also confirmed a higher rate of lipid oxidation in fish muscle due to physical damage and an increased degree of proteolysis in samples with lower muscle pH values.