The present invention, which falls within the field of refrigeration methods, is configured in a controlled system that uses the liquid fraction of dry ice as a heat exchanger. The method uses dry ice and pressures above 5.1atm so that the three phases coexist: solid, liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide. Through a connection in the container (1) the liquid fraction can be directed to another container (3) where the heat exchange occurs with the substance to be refrigerated, which causes the liquid CO2 to return to the gaseous state, which in turn can be directed to the container (5) for gas reuse. The system can have pressure switches, thermocouples, relays, pumps, valves and solenoids to control the conditions in each container and guarantee the integrity of the system.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to separate solids from liquids. A vessel includes a screw, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlet receives a first slurry having an incoming solids concentration. The first slurry consists of solids and a contact liquid. The first outlet is disposed toward the first end of the vessel. The second outlet is disposed toward a second end of the vessel. The screw preferentially conveys the solids over the contact liquid towards the second end of the vessel, the solids displacing at least a portion of the contact liquid, causing that portion of the contact liquid to flow toward the first outlet. A melting device is included.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed to separate solids from liquids. A vessel includes a screw, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The inlet receives a first slurry having an incoming solids concentration. The first slurry consists of solids and a contact liquid. The first outlet is disposed toward the first end of the vessel. The second outlet is disposed toward a second end of the vessel. The screw preferentially conveys the solids over the contact liquid towards the second end of the vessel, the solids displacing at least a portion of the contact liquid, causing that portion of the contact liquid to flow toward the first outlet. A melting device is included.

Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel encompassing a container which is either vertically positioned in an upright or an upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 coolant is then released into a capillary system or flow metering system to allow the CO.sub.2 to enter a second body to where the CO.sub.2 coolant properties may be leveraged. The second body includes, by way of example, a plate, a cushion, a spot treatment pad for a person's muscle, or a cooler. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO.sub.2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO.sub.2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid.

Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel encompassing a container which is either vertically positioned in an upright or an upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 coolant is then released into a capillary system or flow metering system to allow the CO.sub.2 to enter a second body to where the CO.sub.2 coolant properties may be leveraged. The second body includes, by way of example, a plate, a cushion, a spot treatment pad for a person's muscle, or a cooler. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO.sub.2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO.sub.2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid.

A system for storing and transporting compressed natural gas includes source and destination facilities and a vehicle, each of which includes pressure vessels. The pressure vessels and gas therein may be maintained in a cold state by a carbon-dioxide-based refrigeration unit. Hydraulic fluid (and/or nitrogen) ballast may be used to fill the pressure vessels as the pressure vessels are emptied so as to maintain the pressure vessels in a substantially isobaric state that reduces vessel fatigue and lengthens vessel life. The pressure vessels may be hybrid vessels with carbon fiber and fiber glass wrappings. Dip tubes may extend into the pressure vessels to selectively expel/inject gas from/into the top of the vessels or hydraulic fluid from/into the bottom of the vessels. Impingement deflectors are disposed adjacent to the dip tubes inside the vessels to discourage fluid-induced erosion of vessel walls.

A system for storing and transporting compressed natural gas includes source and destination facilities and a vehicle, each of which includes pressure vessels. The pressure vessels and gas therein may be maintained in a cold state by a carbon-dioxide-based refrigeration unit. Hydraulic fluid (and/or nitrogen) ballast may be used to fill the pressure vessels as the pressure vessels are emptied so as to maintain the pressure vessels in a substantially isobaric state that reduces vessel fatigue and lengthens vessel life. The pressure vessels may be hybrid vessels with carbon fiber and fiber glass wrappings. Dip tubes may extend into the pressure vessels to selectively expel/inject gas from/into the top of the vessels or hydraulic fluid from/into the bottom of the vessels. Impingement deflectors are disposed adjacent to the dip tubes inside the vessels to discourage fluid-induced erosion of vessel walls.

A galley cart system employs a dry ice compartment and a refrigeration compartment in a galley cart in flow communication with the dry ice compartment. A ventilation system is in interruptible flow communication with at least the refrigeration compartment and configured to receive gas discharged from at least the refrigeration compartment.

Cryogenic devices are provided in which solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used to maintain a temperature zone in which samples can be manipulated under conditions in which the sample is maintained at a temperature below −50° C.

A shipping container with an enclosure of insulating panels which swell in response to sublimation of a carbon dioxide mass within the enclosure. The insulating panels are made of a casing with an outer sheet which is impermeable to carbon dioxide gas and an inner sheet which is permeable to carbon dioxide gas. Dry ice is placed within the shipping container, along with contents which require refrigeration, and the container is closed (sealed or somewhat sealed). After closure, and upon sublimation of the dry ice, some portion of gaseous carbon dioxide passes through the permeable sheet of the casing and some may leak from the container. Because some portion of the sublimated gas enters the casing, it is retained and slowed in eventual escape from the container, thereby maintaining low temperatures within the container longer than a system with an impermeable casing.