A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

The invention relates to a device for generating a CO.sub.2 snow jet, comprising an expansion channel (6) which extends in a flow direction (14) for generating a CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture based on liquid CO.sub.2, said expansion channel having an inlet opening (18) for supplying liquid CO.sub.2 and an outlet opening (22) for discharging the CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture. The device also comprises a nozzle for generating an outer jet which surrounds and accelerates the CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture discharged from the outlet opening of the expansion channel. The expansion channel has multiple channel sections (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e) arranged one behind the other in the flow direction, wherein the expansion channel cross section (40) that lies on a plane orthogonal to the flow direction changes locally in a particular transition or transition region (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e, 38f) between the channel sections, and the expansion channel (6) cross section (46d) at the upstream end (48d) of a particular channel section (36d) is larger than the expansion channel (6) cross section (46c) at the upstream end (48c) of the channel section (36c) arranged upstream of said channel section (36d) in the flow direction (14).

The invention relates to a device for generating a CO.sub.2 snow jet, comprising an expansion channel (6) which extends in a flow direction (14) for generating a CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture based on liquid CO.sub.2, said expansion channel having an inlet opening (18) for supplying liquid CO.sub.2 and an outlet opening (22) for discharging the CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture. The device also comprises a nozzle for generating an outer jet which surrounds and accelerates the CO.sub.2 gas/CO.sub.2 snow mixture discharged from the outlet opening of the expansion channel. The expansion channel has multiple channel sections (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36e) arranged one behind the other in the flow direction, wherein the expansion channel cross section (40) that lies on a plane orthogonal to the flow direction changes locally in a particular transition or transition region (38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, 38e, 38f) between the channel sections, and the expansion channel (6) cross section (46d) at the upstream end (48d) of a particular channel section (36d) is larger than the expansion channel (6) cross section (46c) at the upstream end (48c) of the channel section (36c) arranged upstream of said channel section (36d) in the flow direction (14).

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a dry ice nugget using liquid carbon dioxide and a dry ice nugget manufactured by the method, wherein the method includes injecting liquid carbon dioxide into a cylinder having a predetermined internal space formed therein, accumulating the liquid carbon dioxide, which is solidified in the internal space, at a lower end of the cylinder, pressurizing the predetermined internal space by lowering a piston located above the cylinder, and compression-molding the liquid carbon dioxide in a solid state pressurized by the piston.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a dry ice nugget using liquid carbon dioxide and a dry ice nugget manufactured by the method, wherein the method includes injecting liquid carbon dioxide into a cylinder having a predetermined internal space formed therein, accumulating the liquid carbon dioxide, which is solidified in the internal space, at a lower end of the cylinder, pressurizing the predetermined internal space by lowering a piston located above the cylinder, and compression-molding the liquid carbon dioxide in a solid state pressurized by the piston.

An apparatus for applying carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in solid form to a target comprises an aggregated body production chamber for producing individual solid bodies of CO.sub.2 with defined shape using an endless type conveying member which carries a plurality of receptacles for receiving CO.sub.2 snow and allowing the same to harden therein to form the individual bodies during movement of the receptacles along the upper run before being discharged upon transition to the lower run. The apparatus includes a snow production chamber for producing CO.sub.2 snow, which is in communication with a discharge of the aggregated body production chamber and which comprises its own downstream outlet such that the CO.sub.2 snow acts to convey the individual bodies released from the discharge of the aggregated body production chamber and towards the target.

An apparatus for applying carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in solid form to a target comprises an aggregated body production chamber for producing individual solid bodies of CO.sub.2 with defined shape using an endless type conveying member which carries a plurality of receptacles for receiving CO.sub.2 snow and allowing the same to harden therein to form the individual bodies during movement of the receptacles along the upper run before being discharged upon transition to the lower run. The apparatus includes a snow production chamber for producing CO.sub.2 snow, which is in communication with a discharge of the aggregated body production chamber and which comprises its own downstream outlet such that the CO.sub.2 snow acts to convey the individual bodies released from the discharge of the aggregated body production chamber and towards the target.

Described herein are methods, systems, and techniques relating to clathrate hydrate formation processes and, particularly, involving reactive metal nucleation substrates for promoting clathrate hydrate formation. The disclosed methods, systems, and techniques allow for improved nucleation rate and yield of clathrate hydrates. In some cases, the disclosed methods, systems, and techniques can also improve or reduce the amount of time needed for obtaining a given quantity of clathrate hydrate phase, for example, in desalination, gas separation and/or gas sequestration processes. The reactive metal nucleation substrate may include reactive metals from Group II, Group I, or Group XIII of the periodic table, for example, in alloyed form with other metals and/or nonmetal elements.

Described herein are methods, systems, and techniques relating to clathrate hydrate formation processes and, particularly, involving reactive metal nucleation substrates for promoting clathrate hydrate formation. The disclosed methods, systems, and techniques allow for improved nucleation rate and yield of clathrate hydrates. In some cases, the disclosed methods, systems, and techniques can also improve or reduce the amount of time needed for obtaining a given quantity of clathrate hydrate phase, for example, in desalination, gas separation and/or gas sequestration processes. The reactive metal nucleation substrate may include reactive metals from Group II, Group I, or Group XIII of the periodic table, for example, in alloyed form with other metals and/or nonmetal elements.