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Experimental investigation of the effects of solute concentration on flow patterns and rheological properties of ice slurry.

Author(s) : MORIMOTO T., KOMIYA Y., ISHIGAKI T., KOYAMA T., TANINO M., KUMANO H.

Type of article: IJR article

Summary

This study experimentally investigates the influence of solute concentration on the flow patterns and flow characteristics of ice slurry, a solid–liquid two-phase fluid composed of fine ice particles dispersed in an aqueous solution. Ice slurries with varying NaCl concentrations are generated using supercooling method, and their behavior is analyzed in a horizontal tube through pressure drop measurements, visual observations, and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The results reveal that combining visual and PIV-based evaluations enables detailed classification of flow regimes beyond the conventional distinction between homogeneous and heterogeneous. The flow is categorized into four types: aggregated homogeneous, aggregated heterogeneous, homogeneous, and heterogeneous. As solute concentration increases, the transition to non-aggregated (i.e., more uniformly dispersed) flow becomes more prominent, likely because of reduced inter-particle cohesion. Pressure drop measurements show a dependency on both solute concentration and the ice packing factor (IPF). At higher IPFs, the pressure drop increases, and rheological analysis using the power-law model confirms that the ice slurry is dilatant, especially for higher NaCl concentrations. Furthermore, changes in flow regime influence the rheo logical parameters, showing the importance of assessing flow pattern and rheology simultaneously. These f indings contribute to the design and optimization of ice slurry systems, particularly in applications involving low-concentration solutions and low-temperature refrigeration.

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Details

  • Original title: Experimental investigation of the effects of solute concentration on flow patterns and rheological properties of ice slurry.
  • Record ID : 30034485
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale du Froid - vol. 181
  • Publication date: 2026/01
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2025.10.009

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