Study on formation of high performance ice slurry by W/O emulsion in ice storage (discussion on characteristics of propagation of supercooling dissolution)

A W/O type emulsion was developed as a new thermal material for ice storage. The water contents of the emulsions were 70, 80 and 90 vol%, and silicone oil was used. An amino group modified silicone oil with 0.9 vol% was used as a surface-active agent. The freezing points of those emulsions were 0 °C. However, due to the emulsion structure, the propagation rate of supercooling dissolution for each emulsion was very slow. Therefore, the propagation rate and maximum supercooling degree were estimated using probability, varying the water content of the emulsion, the method of the ice nucleus charging, and the size and number of ice nuclei. In addition, the influence of various parameters on the propagation rate and maximum supercooling degree was clarified.