Experimental investigations of ice slurry flow based on monoethylene glycol at high ice fractions

Abstract

Ice slurry has so many advantages as phase-change slurries due to the high latent heat of its particles. Ice slurry is one of a competitive alternative to conventional secondary refrigeration systems that have been successfully employed in many applications. In this research, ice slurry flow with monoethylene glycol (MEG) at high ice fractions was investigated. The experiment was carried out by measuring shear stress and flow rate as variable to calculate power law index. The experiment was performed in 14 mm, 21 mm, and 24 mm circular tubes, respectively. The Initial concentration of 5 wt%, 7 wt%, and 10 wt% of MEG was investigated. Ice fraction was maintained above 30% in a storage tank. Experimental results of the Darcy friction factor were compared to Poiseuille and Blasius model. The ice slurry flows exhibited a shear-thickening flow (n>1) for all initial concentration in the range 1.07 - 1.58. The Greater initial concentration of MEG tends to give smaller friction compared with another ice slurry flow with smaller initial concentration.