Ammonium carbamate-based methods and systems for management of thermal loads, particularly low-quality, high-flux thermal loads. The increase in temperature in heat sensitive devices is mitigated by the endothermic decomposition of ammonium carbamate into carbon dioxide and ammonia gases. This process has an energy density an order of magnitude greater than conventional thermal management materials and is particularly useful for temperatures between 20 C. and 100 C. Systems incorporating ammonium carbamate may be controlled by regulating the fluid flow, overhead pressure, temperature, or combinations thereof.

A refrigerator includes an ice tray, a motor, an ejector including a rotary shaft and a protrusion pin, and a heater for selectively supplying heat to the ice tray. A control method of the refrigerator includes a first step of sensing whether the ejector is rotated to reach a first setup position; a second step of driving the heater and stopping driving of an ice making compartment fan if the first step is satisfied; a third step of determining whether the ejector is rotated to reach a second setup position; and a fourth step of stopping driving of the heater if the third step is satisfied, and wherein the ejector continues to be rotated while the second to fourth steps are implemented.

An air permeable envelope has a gripper for securing the envelope to a seat. A mixture contained in the air permeable envelope can react exothermically upon exposure to air. A sealed bag that is relatively air impermeable, initially holds the air permeable envelope and mixture together with the gripper. Upon opening and unsealing the bag, the mixture is exposed to air in order to start an exothermic reaction. The envelope and the gripper are removed from the bag and the gripper is used to attach the envelope upon the seat to warm it.

An air permeable envelope has a gripper for securing the envelope to a seat. A mixture contained in the air permeable envelope can react exothermically upon exposure to air. A sealed bag that is relatively air impermeable, initially holds the air permeable envelope and mixture together with the gripper. Upon opening and unsealing the bag, the mixture is exposed to air in order to start an exothermic reaction. The envelope and the gripper are removed from the bag and the gripper is used to attach the envelope upon the seat to warm it.

A food container (e.g., tray) with a thermal reagent adhesively attached to its outer surfaces reacts with water. The attached reagent undergoes an endothermic (i.e., cooling) or exeothermic (i.e., heating) reaction in the presence of water. A burstable water pouch releases water for the reaction into a lower container (e.g., tray) when the food container is pressed into the lower container, with the pouch therebetween. A removable impervious plastic film may protect the attached reagent while in storage. Multiple reagent layers may be separated by a water-soluble plastic film to provide a prolonged thermal reaction.

Self-cooling compositions and systems adapted to rapidly chill a substance in a compact container are provided. In some implementations, the composition comprises an aqueous solution and solid chemical reactants, wherein at least one solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3, urea, and mixtures thereof; and a second solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH.sub.4Cl, calcium sulfate, borax, phosphates, MgCl.sub.2, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The self-cooling compositions and systems can have a wide range of applications such as cooling comestibles or medical assay kits.

Self-cooling compositions and systems adapted to rapidly chill a substance in a compact container are provided. In some implementations, the composition comprises an aqueous solution and solid chemical reactants, wherein at least one solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH.sub.4NO.sub.3, urea, and mixtures thereof; and a second solid chemical reactant is selected independently from the group consisting of NH.sub.4Cl, calcium sulfate, borax, phosphates, MgCl.sub.2, carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. The self-cooling compositions and systems can have a wide range of applications such as cooling comestibles or medical assay kits.

Safe, stable, non-toxic and recyclable cooling agent compositions comprising solid particulate compounds undergo an endothermic process when mixed with water such that the resulting mixture is useful for cooling surfaces, liquids and solids. The mixtures include ammonium nitrate in an amount of at least 45 wt % of the mixture. Total nitrogencontaining salts exclusive of phosphates are present in an amount less than 68% by weight of the composition. A phosphate salt is also present in an amount as needed to stabilize the composition against detonation. A balance of additional salts is formulated to provide the mixture with a cooling capacity of at least 240 kJ/kg of the mixture.

A single use heat exchanger device includes an outer bag formed from a flexible polymer film and defining an interior compartment, the outer bag having a first port and a second port disposed therein to provide fluid access to and from the interior compartment. An inner bag is formed from a flexible polymer film and defines an interior flow path between a third port and a fourth port, the third port and the fourth port extending through the outer bag and provide fluid access to and from the interior flow path. In other embodiments, a flexible bag or container incorporates heat exchanger flow path(s) into one or more surfaces. In another embodiment, a container or vessel incorporates heat exchange flow path around a cylindrical surface formed by an inner jacket and outer jacket.

A single use heat exchanger device includes an outer bag formed from a flexible polymer film and defining an interior compartment, the outer bag having a first port and a second port disposed therein to provide fluid access to and from the interior compartment. An inner bag is formed from a flexible polymer film and defines an interior flow path between a third port and a fourth port, the third port and the fourth port extending through the outer bag and provide fluid access to and from the interior flow path. In other embodiments, a flexible bag or container incorporates heat exchanger flow path(s) into one or more surfaces. In another embodiment, a container or vessel incorporates heat exchange flow path around a cylindrical surface formed by an inner jacket and outer jacket.