A method of discharging artificial snow (S) from a snow making facility (20) including an evaporator vessel (1) and producing snow by means of the technique of freezing water under vacuum pressure by maintaining a vacuum pressure in the evaporator vessel and producing water vapor that absorbs the latent heat of vaporization from the water, whereby the water temperature drops until it freezes and reaches the super cooling temperature that corresponds to the existing vacuum pressure, wherein produced snow is withdrawn from a bottom portion (1A) of the evaporator vessel by means of a first pipe screw conveyor (4), the withdrawn snow is conveyed from the first screw conveyor through a controlled first valve (6) and into a second pipe screw conveyor (5) and snow is discharged to the atmosphere from the second screw conveyor through a controlled second valve (7). A facility for producing artificial snow as well as a method for controlling the quality of produced artificial snow are also provided.

A method of discharging artificial snow (S) from a snow making facility (20) including an evaporator vessel (1) and producing snow by means of the technique of freezing water under vacuum pressure by maintaining a vacuum pressure in the evaporator vessel and producing water vapor that absorbs the latent heat of vaporization from the water, whereby the water temperature drops until it freezes and reaches the super cooling temperature that corresponds to the existing vacuum pressure, wherein produced snow is withdrawn from a bottom portion (1A) of the evaporator vessel by means of a first pipe screw conveyor (4), the withdrawn snow is conveyed from the first screw conveyor through a controlled first valve (6) and into a second pipe screw conveyor (5) and snow is discharged to the atmosphere from the second screw conveyor through a controlled second valve (7). A facility for producing artificial snow as well as a method for controlling the quality of produced artificial snow are also provided.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of freezing a liquid substance contained in at least one receptacle, comprising the steps of: providing the liquid substance in at least one receptacle, providing a cooling chamber and a cooling device having a cooling surface; setting the temperature of the cooling surface, starting a freezing procedure by placing the receptacle with the liquid substance therein on the cooling surface to form a seed or initial zone of nucleation; and continuing the freezing procedure to completely freeze the substance.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of freezing a liquid substance contained in at least one receptacle, comprising the steps of: providing the liquid substance in at least one receptacle, providing a cooling chamber and a cooling device having a cooling surface; setting the temperature of the cooling surface, starting a freezing procedure by placing the receptacle with the liquid substance therein on the cooling surface to form a seed or initial zone of nucleation; and continuing the freezing procedure to completely freeze the substance.

An ice making apparatus includes: a water storage configured to cool and store therein water supplied to the water storage; an ice maker configured to make ice from the water stored in the water storage; and an ice conveyer configured to convey the ice made by the ice maker to an ice storage used for storing ice in the ice storage. The ice maker is configured to cool a part of the water stored in the water storage that is positioned in an upper section to make the ice.

An ice maker includes an ice making unit and an ice storage bin. A frame is positioned between the ice making unit and the storage bin. An ice making tray is coupled with the frame, including a base defining a first plurality of apertures and a second plurality of apertures. A plurality of ice forming features is positioned proximate the first plurality of apertures. The ice forming features are coupled to and extend away from the base. A heating element is in thermal communication with the ice forming features. A wastewater disposal assembly is coupled with the ice making tray.

A method for solidifying a polar substance, in particular water, is presented which comprises the steps of: providing a coolable, hydrophobic, preferably super-hydrophobic, condensation surface within an interior of a container; partially filling the container with a polar substance, preferably in liquid form, and an immiscible additive, preferably in liquid form, so that the condensation surface remains at least partially unsubmerged; cooling the hydrophobic condensation surface to a temperature T.sub.cond below a solidification temperature T.sub.solid of the polar substance; and removing solidified polar substance from the container.

A method for solidifying a polar substance, in particular water, is presented which comprises the steps of: providing a coolable, hydrophobic, preferably super-hydrophobic, condensation surface within an interior of a container; partially filling the container with a polar substance, preferably in liquid form, and an immiscible additive, preferably in liquid form, so that the condensation surface remains at least partially unsubmerged; cooling the hydrophobic condensation surface to a temperature T.sub.cond below a solidification temperature T.sub.solid of the polar substance; and removing solidified polar substance from the container.

A refrigerator includes an ice making device for producing ice cubes. The ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, air is evacuated from the cavities by a vacuum system, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, liquid is delivered to the depressurized cavities by a liquid delivery system, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, the cavities are heated by a heat transfer system, thereby partially melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.

A refrigerator includes an ice making device for producing ice cubes. The ice making device includes a mold body having a plurality of ice forming cavities adapted to hold fluid. In an ice making cycle, air is evacuated from the cavities by a vacuum system, thereby depressurizing the cavities. Then, liquid is delivered to the depressurized cavities by a liquid delivery system, whereby an initial portion of the liquid bubbles up within the respective cavities. Once ice cubes have been formed within the cavities, the cavities are heated by a heat transfer system, thereby partially melting the ice cubes and aiding in the expulsion of ice cubes from the cavities.