WO2004081469A1

WO2004081469A1 - A method and apparatus for producing homogenous fluid ice

Info

Publication number: WO2004081469A1
Application number: PCT/IS2004/000004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingolfur Arnason; Johannes Simonssen; Theodor Kristjansson
Original assignee: Skaginn Hf.
Priority date: 2003-03-10
Filing date: 2004-03-10
Publication date: 2004-09-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing homogenous fluid ice, wherein the temperature and the grain size of the fluid ice can be controlled. The production of fluid ice (slurry) is done by mixing together two brine phases with a salt content from zero to saturation. The mix is then sprayed over the heat exchanging plates, which form a layer of ice form the brine mix on their surface. When the ice on the surface has reached a certain, predetermined thickness, a hot steam is pumped through the plate so that the ice will fall off the plate down to the bottom of the tank. A mixing device, placed at the bottom of the tank, mixes the three phases, ice and two liquid phases, creating fluid ice slurry with a certain predetermined salt concentration. The three phases are then further mixed together in a cluster gear creating a homogenous fluid ice, which can be distributed using regular fluid pumps and pipes.

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HOMOGENOUS FLUID ICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing homogenous fluid ice, wherein the temperature and the grain size of the fluid ice can be controlled.

Introduction

It is well known that ice is highly useful for conserving the freshness of fresh food products such as fish and meat. Ice has for long time been produced with different kinds of ice producing devices. The most common procedure is to freeze fresh water into ice cubes, to be used directly or to be stored.

The use of fluid ice, which is essentially a homogeneous mixture of water and fine grain ice, is a preferred way of conserving fresh food. Fluid ice typically cools much faster than normal ice, as it surrounds the product much better. Such type pf ice is also easy to handle due to its fluidic properties and can easily be pumped with liquid pumps and fluid ice is also easy to store and to transport.

One way to produce fluid ice is to scrape ice crystals of a cooled surface as they are being formed. Such machines for producing fluid ice exist where salt water with a salinity from 2,5-3,5% is used. With this method the fluid ice is very fine and the grains very small. Such machines can however not produce fluid ice from water with 0% salinity. The salinity and the temperature of the incoming liquid must be correct and is usually controlled with special equipment.

Another way to produce fluid ice is by using a regular ice machine and to mix the ice with brine, wherein the ice is ground while it is mixed with the brine. In the method disclosed in WO 91/12475 a grinding wheel stirs and grinds the ice while the resulting fluid ice is pumped to the place of use.

A problem with these two methods is that the temperature of the fluid ice cannot be controlled. In the first-mentioned method the machines operate within a narrow range and are therefore unstable and sensitive in relation to the surroundings. In the latter method the thickness and the roughness of the fluid ice cannot be controlled. The current invention provides an apparatus and a method to produce fluid ice (slurry), where the melting point of the slurry can be determined and regulated ranging from 0 to minus 15°C. This has been solved by regulating the total salt concentration of the slurry. Furthermore, the current invention provides an apparatus that can periodically produce slurry of different salt concentrations.

There is often need for ice slurry with different melting point during processing of a product, such as fish. If a product is delivered or obtained at a temperature, being above desirable temperature, there is a need for rapid cooling of the product. For this purpose, ice slurry with 2,7% salt content is used, resulting in a temperature of -1.5°C and at 15% thickness. However, this mixture of fluidic ice slurry is to cold for storing fish products, as fish freezes at temperatures below - 0.7 to - 0.8°C, but freezing of fish products should be avoided during transportation under most circumstances. Furthermore, it is often necessary to store the product temporarily during processing, wherein cooling of the product is required. For this purpose ice slurry, which has 2.0% salt concentration and is of 20% thickness may be suitable.

The thickness of the slurry is important when it comes to transporting a product, such as fish, over a longer period and then a high concentration of ice crystals between 50 and 60% is required. In such cases the cooling is performed by keeping the melting point of the ice slurry at or just above the optimal temperature of the product.

The apparatus and the method provided by the present invention allow production of homogenous fluidic ice slurry with stable temperature and adjustable brine concentration. Thereby, ice slurry is provided that has a melting point of the ice crystals being close to the optimal storing/processing temperature of the product.

Description of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method to produce homogenous fluid ice, wherein the temperature and the grain size of the fluid ice can be controlled. The production of fluid ice (slurry) is done by mixing together two brine phases with a salt content from zero to saturation. An apparatus comprising hollow heat exchanging plates, a tank with two inlets and a mixing device is used to produce the fluid ice by spraying the mix over the plates. The mechanism of the heat exchanging plates works like a regular cooling circulation system, where cooling media is sucked through the plates and the energy that is used to cool down is system is transformed into a hot steam that is then utilized as the heating media. The mix is then sprayed over the heat exchanging plates, which form a layer of ice form the brine mix on their surface. When the ice on the surface has reached a certain, predetermined thickness, a hot steam is pumped through the plate so that the ice will fall off the plate down to the bottom of the tank. A mixing device, placed at the bottom of the tank, mixes the three phases, ice and two liquid phases, creating a fluid ice slurry with a certain predetermined salt concentration. The three phases are then further mixed together in a cluster gear creating a homogenous fluid ice, which can be distributed using regular fluid pumps and pipes.

Detailed description of the invention.

In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus for producing fluid ice slurry having predetermined melting point and water/ice ratio. The apparatus comprises housing, being a tank with an inner and an outer surface separated by isolating material. The tank is divided into two sets of chambers, pre-cooling and freezing chambers, and the number of the chamber sets can vary. The pre-cooling chamber for the first pre-liquid ice fluid contains at least two inlets for the liquid phases to be mixed together therein. The liquid is cooled down to its freezing point in the pre-cooling chamber and then transported over to the freezing chamber, where the liquid is sprayed over the heat exchanging plates using means for directing said pre-liquid ice fluid onto the surface of said plurality of heat exchangers. The heat exchanging plates within the freezing chamber, each have an inlet and an outlet allowing alternating periodical flow of cooling and heating media there through. The apparatus also comprises means for alternatively switching between cooling and heating media in said heat exchange plates, wherein ice is formed during cooling of said plates and ice being released during heating of said plates. A receiving unit for receipt of ice formed on said heat exchangers and released by alternating flow of cooling and heating media there through, can be placed under the heat exchangers in order to direct the ice away from the bottom of the tank. The receiving unit can further comprise means for mixing of a second water/brine solution there into as well as rotating agitator means for further grinding said ice and blending said grinded ice thoroughly with said second water/brine solution to form liquid ice slurry. The apparatus provides pumping means for removing said fluid ice slurry. The apparatus of the present invention can through regulation of said brine content in said first pre-liquid fluid and said second water/brine solution produce a homogenous fluid ice slurry having a predetermined brine content/melting point and water/ice ratio.

In the present context said chamber for first pre-liquid ice fluid comprises a temperature-regulating unit for cooling of the pre-liquid ice fluid close to its freezing point. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cooling chamber contains a plurality of cooling plates, which the liquid to be cooled down, and eventually transported over to the freezing chamber, is evenly sprayed over for rapid cooling. A pump and a spraying device can circulate the liquid in the pre- cooling chamber, so that after the liquid is sprayed over the plates it falls to the bottom of the tank where it is pumped back through the spraying device.

In the present context said container for first pre-liquid ice fluid further comprises brine-regulating unit for adjusting/determining the brine content in said pre-liquid ice fluid. If the ice slurry is being made on land, pure water can be pumped into the pre-cooling chamber and the salt concentration can be adjusted by adding in a brine solution with a known salt concentration. Similarly, at sea, seawater can be pumped into the chamber and the salt concentration can be adjusted with a brine solution or pure water.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said means for directing said pre-liquid ice fluid onto the surface of said plurality of heat exchanger comprises a sprayer having adjustable droplet formation. Such spraying device is designed to evenly distribute the liquid over the plates for a certain time period, in order to obtain best cooling/freezing of the liquid.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention said rotating agitator means comprises circular cutting knives having plurality of cutting edges. The knives are placed alternatively upwards and downwards under a certain angle in order to groin the ice and mix it together with the liquid and obtain liquid ice slurry.

In the present context, the apparatus further comprises a computer system operationally connected one or more of the following units: - temperature measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, brine measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, pre-liquid spraying regulating unit,

- temperature measuring and/or regulating for said heat exchange plates,

- time/volume regulating unit for heating/cooling media for said heat exchange plates, rotation agitator for the second solution.

The computer system further comprises a computer screen for monitoring the processing and a keyboard to type in commands adjusting the different factors during the processing.

In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for production of fluid ice slurry having predetermined melting point and water/ice ration is described. The method comprises the steps of:

pre-mixing a first water/ brine solution having a pre-determined brine content and temperature range, directing said first pre-mixing solution onto a plurality heat exchange plates having a surfaces area wherein said surfaces having sub freezing temperature for the mixed solution for at least sufficient time to allow the solution to be transformed into ice on said surface, - allowing cooling and heating media into the heat exchange plates, periodically switching between cooling and heating media in said heat exchange plates, and thereby during heating of said plates releasing ice formed during cooling, mixing said ice into a second water/brine liquid solution and simultaneously grinding the ice.

A further regulation of the brine content in said second water/brine liquid solution, a fluid ice slurry is produced having homogenous brine/water content in both liquid and ice phase, and thereby achieving a liquid ice slurry with a predetermined melting point and water/ice ratio. The freezing/melting point of the solution is regulated through regulation of the salt content in the mix calculated by an algorithm using a PLC computer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the salt concentration of the first water/brine solution is in the ranges from 0 to 26.3%, preferably 1 to 10%, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5 %.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the salt concentration of the second water/brine solution is in the ranges from 0 to 26.3%, preferably 1 to 10%, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5 %. In order to freeze a mix containing such salt contents, the surface temperature of plates should be around 4°C below the freezing point of said first water/brine solution. The cooling time needed to create a significant layer of ice on the surface of the heat exchanging plates for transformation of the solution into ice is 5 to 15 minutes, and more preferably 8 to 12 minutes. However, the heating time needed for removal of the ice from the plates is approximately 0 to 2 minutes.

In the present context, the ice concentration in the second solution is in the range of 0 - 60%, such as 1%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% and 60% depending on what the slurry is to be used for. Fluid ice slurry, destined for preservation for a longer period of time should have a high percentage of ice for example.

In the present context, the first water brine solution and alternatively said second solution comprise predetermined oxygen content. However, the oxygen content of the solution can be, at least partially replaced by C02, to optimize the preservation conditions for the product to be stored. The ratio of oxygen and carbon-dioxide (C02) can be in the range of 5: 1, or 4: 1, or 3: 1, or 2: 1 or 1 : 1, or 1 :2, or 3: 1, or 4: 1, or 5: 1, but a high C02 content is desirable when fish products are to be transported for a longer period of time.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, chemicals can be added to the fluidic ice slurry to create slurry with specific properties based on the product being handled or stored. These chemicals can be selected from the group of acidic acid, citric acid, vitamin-C, BHT, TBHQ, etoxyquinin, antibiotics, sodium chloride, or salts of phosphates, calcium salts, salts of Mg, K, etc, sugars, acids, emulsifiers, gelling agents, color agents, etc.

In the present context the first water/brine solution is pre-cooled to a temperature close to its freezing point before it is sprayed over the heat exchangers. The first water/brine solution is constantly being circulated from the bottom of the chamber, through the spraying device and over the plates, until a desired temperature is reached and this temperature is then kept stable during the process. The water/brine solution in the freezing chamber is also continuously re-circulated from the bottom of the tank and over the plates, through the spraying device until a certain thickness of ice has been generated on the surface of the plats.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method for making the fluidic ice slurry is controlled by computer system and furthermore where this system further comprise industrial PLC computer. The computer system further comprises a computer screen for monitoring the processing and a keyboard in order to type in commands for adjusting : temperature measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, - brine measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, pre-liquid spraying regulating unit, temperature measuring and/or regulating for said heat exchange plates, time/volume regulating unit for heating/cooling media for said heat exchange plates, rotation agitator for the second solution.

The PLC computer runs a program containing an algorithm, which sets the concentration of salt and the temperature of the liquid phases in order to obtain fluid ice slurry of predetermined characteristics.

Detailed description of drawings.

The application contains 6 figures. Different parts and objects are numbered in a manner so that each part or object has it's own number. This means that if the same number appears on more than one figure, it represents the same object.

Figure 1 : Overview of the apparatus showing all parts and objects. Figure 2: Schematic drawing - Sectional front view.

Figure 3: Schematic drawing - Sectional side view.

Figure 4: A perspective drawing - Side view.

Figure 5: Schematic drawing of a combined mixing knife. Figure 6: A 3-dimentional perspective drawing of a mixer and a knife.

Figure 1. Shows all the major parts of the apparatus and the same numbers appear in figures 2 - 4.

1. A tank

2. Pre-cooling chamber A

3. Freezing chamber pre-cooling chamber A

4. Freezing chamber 5. Pre-cooling chamber B

6. Cooling plates in pre-cooling chamber A (2)

7. Freezing plates in freezing chamber (3)

8. Freezing plates in freezing chamber (4)

9. Cooling plates in pre-cooling chamber B (5) 10. A valve for inlet to pre-cooling chamber

11. Height-level sensor

12. Thermometer in pre-cooling chamber (2)

13. Pressure meter in pre-cooling chamber (2)

14. Irradiator for pasteurization of liquid 15. Circulation pump for pumping fluid between chambers

16. Valve for fluid into spraying device

17. Spraying device for spraying fluid over cooling plates

18. Ejector/Augmentor tube for vacuumizing

19. Inlet for C02 20. A valve for fluid to freezing chamber

21. A valve for fluid to freezing chamber (3)

22. A flow meter

23. One way valve

24. Valve for brine fluid into the system 25. A flow meter

26. One way valve

27. Circulation pump

28. Thermometer

29. Spraying device for spraying fluid onto freezing plates 30. Mixer in freezing chamber

31. pressure meter

32. Valve for outlet of fluid ice (slurry)

33. Pump for fluid ice 34. Valve for outlet into storage tank for fluid ice for cooling

35. Valve for outlet into storage tank for fluid ice for intermediate cooling

36. Valve for outlet into storage tank for fluid ice for storage

37. Computer for controlling the system 38. Inlet for water inn to pre-cooling chamber

Figure 5: Shows a schematic drawing of a combined mixing knife. The same numbers appear in figure 6.

39. Electrical motor

40. Motor-flange

41. Drive-shaft

42. Motor-connection 43. Condenser 44. Housing for bearings, shaft and condenser

45. Drum for crushing slurry and pumping

46. Knife wheel for crushing and pumping fluid ice (slurry)

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pre-cooling chambers (2 and 5) are filled with the liquid phases (water, brine or sea water) to be mixed and cooled down to their freezing point by means of cooling plates (6 and 9). An algorithm determines the amount of liquid phases to be mixed, and regulates the concentration by adding in brine with a known concentration. At sea, seawater is pumped into the chamber through a valve (10), but on land, pure water might be used and in that case, conditions of the mix adjusted using brine with a known salt concentration. There is a height-level sensor (11) in the pre-cooling chamber, which is used to control the intake of seawater into the chamber by opening and closing the valve and thereby keeping the level of liquid phase constant in the chamber. There is also a thermometer (12) as well as a pressure meter (13) in the pre-cooling chamber and both instruments are connected to the PCL computer that operates the system. IT is also possible to pump the liquid through a irradiator (14) prior to entering the pre-cooling chamber for sterilizing the liquid. The liquid in the pre-cooling chamber is circulated with a pump (15) through the valve (16) and sprayed over the cooling plates (6) using a spraying device (17), which equally distributes the liquid over the cooling plates. There is an ejector tube (18) connected to the pre-cooling chamber, creating a low pressure in the chamber. By pumping in C02 into the chamber through an inlet for C02 (19), oxygen is replaced by C02 during the circulation of the liquid. By enhancing C02 content in the slurry as compared to oxygen, the slurry obtains properties, which are better suited for preserving fish products than traditional slurry. The liquid is then pumped into freezing chambers (3 or 4).

The freezing chambers (3 and 4) are separated and make ice individually in periods. When ice slurry has been pumped out of freezing chamber (3) a new mix is pumped into the chamber. Valve (16) is closed and valve (20) is opened as well as valve (21) letting liquid into the freezing chamber (3) through a flow-meter (22) and an one way valve (23). This way the amount of liquid pumped into the chamber, as well as temperature and salt concentration of the liquid are known. The control system can, based on these information, add brine through valve (24) and one way valve (26) and the amount of brine is measured as it goes through flow-meter (25). Now, the amount, temperature and salt concentration of the liquid in the freezing chamber is known and the control system can use the information to control the production of the liquid ice slurry.

The liquid in the freezing chamber is circulated by a circulation pump (27) pumping the liquid over a thermometer (28) and through a spraying device (29), which equally distributes the liquid over the freezing plates (7). Suction is applied to the freezing system, so by applying a low suction pressure to the system the surface temperature of the plates can be taken below -30°C. The low temperature is necessary in order for the salt in the liquid to bind ice crystals forming on the surface of the plates generating ice containing a desired salt concentration for the melting ice slurry.

When the ice has reached a certain thickness, a hot stem is pumped through the heat exchanging plates. This results in the ice falling off the plates down to the bottom of the freezing chamber. During the generation of ice on the surface of the plates, the salt content of the liquid increases, due to uneven freezing of water and binding of salt to the ice crystals. Therefore, additional water is added to the solution in the freezing chamber to adjust the concentration of salt in the brine.

As the capacity of the freezing is known, the amount of ice generated on the freezing plates as well as the amount of liquid in the chamber are known parameters, which allows for calculation of the ratio of ice and water in the chamber. By altering this ratio the thickness of the fluid ice slurry can be regulated.

When the ice has been released off the plates onto the bottom of the chamber a mixer (30) is started and the mixer groins the ice. The liquid and the ice are mixed until the ice pieces have been transformed into ice crystals and

.homogenous fluidic slurry has been formed. The fluid ice slurry can then be pumped using regular liquid pumps and pipes. If the mixing is carried out long enough the ice crystals become so small, that bare hands cannot feel the crystals. The time of mixing is in the proximity of 90 seconds generating liquid ice slurry with stable temperature ready to use.

After the slurry has been generated, a valve (32) is opened and the slurry is pumped using a pump (33) into storage tanks or direct for use through valves (34, 35 or 36). The valves (34-36) deliver the slurry into different storage tanks depending on the type of slurry being produced, i.e. fast cooling, cooling between processing steps or storage cooling.

Two mixing devices (30) penetrate the housing of the tank (1) in the bottom area designed to groin the ice and mix the slurry from the brine and the ice in the freezing chambers. The mixing devices operate in each freezing chamber independent of one another. The mixing device comprises an electrical motor (39) connected to the device with a motor-connection (42). The motor is fastened to the tank using a motor-flange (40) and the power is transported into the slurry using a drive shaft going through the motor housing (44). The motor housing contains bearings and a condenser (43), which condenses between the freezing chamber and the surroundings independent of type of pressure in the chamber. A knife wheel (46) is attached to the end of the drive-shaft (41), which groins the ice and participates in circulating the slurry as it groins the ice. Four knives are attached to the knife wheel placed alternatively upwards and downwards under a certain angle. A steering- drum (45) directs the slurry towards the knives.

Production of fluid ice slurry in freezing chamber (4) is carried out in a similar manner as in freezing chamber (3). The chamber is filled with liquid by opening valve (38) and the salt concentration of the liquid is regulated by adding in brine through valve (24). All measuring devices, pumps and devices are similar to what was described for freezing chamber (3). It is also possible to pump the liquid out of the freezing chamber and replace it with a new mix. A PLC computer (37) controls the apparatus, used to make the fluid ice slurry. A computer program/algorithm, operated by the PLC computer, determines the concentration of the brine phase(s) and other substances to be added to the liquid ice slurry. The calculations are based on the characteristics of the desired liquid ice slurry. All motors, sensors, valves and meters are connected to the PLC computer and all necessary information about the slurry being made can be visualized on a computer screen. Any adjustments, which need to be made during the processing, can be carried out by typing commands on a keyboard connected to the PLC.

Examples

Example 1. Fluid ice slurry for instant cooling.

The characteristics of a ice slurry for instant cooling of a fish product were as follows:

Thickness: 15%

Salt content: 2,7%

Melting point: -1,5°C

The time of freezing ice on freezing plates was around 8 minutes and the amount of liquid used for the slurry was 85% of total weight of the slurry. Defrosting (detachment of the ice from plates) was around 90 seconds. The mixing time of the ice and the liquid phase was 90 seconds.

Example 2.

Fluid ice slurry for cooling in between processing steps.

The characteristics of a ice slurry for cooling of fish products in between processing steps were as follows:

Thickness: 20%

Salt content: 1,3%

Melting point: -0,7°C The time of freezing ice on freezing plates was around 9 minutes and the amount of liquid used for the slurry was 80% of total weight of the slurry. Defrosting (detachment of the ice from plates) was around 90 seconds. The mixing time of the ice and the liquid phase was 90 seconds.

Example 3.

Fluid ice slurry for storing fish products.

The characteristics of a ice slurry for storing fish products were as follows:

Thickness: 50%

Salt content: 1,3% Melting point: -0,7°C

Claims

1. Apparatus for production of fluid ice slurry having predetermined melting point and water/ice ration comprising;

a housing, a plurality of heat exchanging plates within said housing, each having inlet and outlet allowing alternating periodical floW of cooling and heating media there through, - a chamber for first pre-liquid ice fluid, a freezing chamber means for directing said pre-liquid ice fluid onto the surface of said plurality of heat exchanger, means for alternatively switching between cooling and heating media in said heat exchange plates, wherein ice is formed during cooling of said plates and ice being released during heating of said plates, receiving unit for receipt of ice formed on said heat exchangers and released by alternating flow of cooling and heating media there through,

wherein said receiving unit further comprising; means for mixing of a second water/brine solution there into, rotating agitator means for further grinding said ice and blending said grinded ice thoroughly with said second water/brine solution to form liquid ice slurry, - pumping means for removing said fluid ice slurry and

wherein through regulation of said brine content in said first pre-liquid fluid and said second water/brine solution producing a homogenous fluid ice slurry having a predetermined brine content/melting point and water/ice ratio.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamber for first pre-liquid ice fluid comprising temperature regulating unit for cooling of the pre-liquid ice fluid close to its freezing point.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said container for first pre- liquid ice fluid further comprising brine regulating unit for adjusting/determining the brine content in said pre-liquid ice fluid.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said means for directing said pre-liquid ice fluid onto the surface of said plurality of heat exchanger comprise a sprayer having adjustable droplet formation.

5. An apparatus according to any of the claims 1 - 4, wherein said rotating agitator means comprise a circular cutting knives having plurality of cutting edges.

6. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus further comprise a computer system operationally connected one or more of the following units:

- temperature measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, - brine measuring and/or regulating unit in said chamber for first solution and/or said receiving unit for second solution, pre-liquid spraying regulating unit, temperature measuring and/or regulating for said heat exchange plates, - time/volume regulating unit for heating/cooling media for said heat exchange plates, rotation agitator for the second solution.

7. Method for production of fluid ice slurry, having predetermined melting point and water/ice ration, the method comprising the steps of:

pre-mixing a first water/ brine solution having a pre-determined brine content and temperature range, - directing said first pre-mixing solution onto a plurality heat exchange plates having a surfaces area wherein said surfaces having sub freezing temperature for the mixed solution for at least sufficient time to allow the solution to be transformed into ice on said surface, allowing cooling and heating media into the heat exchange plates, - periodically switching between cooling and heating media in said heat exchange plates, and thereby during heating of said plates releasing ice formed during cooling, mixing said ice into a second water/brine liquid solution and simultaneously grinding the ice,

wherein through further regulating of the brine content in said second water/brine liquid solution, a fluid ice slurry is produced having homogenous brine/water content in both liquid and ice phase, and thereby achieving a liquid ice slurry with a predetermined melting point and water/ice ratio.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the freezing/melting point of the solution is regulated through regulation of the salt content therein.

9. A method according to claims 7 or 8, wherein the salt concentration of the first water/brine solution is in the ranges from 0 to 26.3%, preferably 1 to 10%, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5 %.

10. A method according to claims 7, 8 or 9, wherein the surface temperature of plates being sufficiently below said first water/brine solution freezing point.

11. A method according to any of the claims 7 -10, wherein the cooling time for transformation of the solution into ice is 5 to 15 minutes, and more preferably 8 to 12 minutes.

12. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 11, wherein the heating time for removal of the ice from the plates is approximately 0 to 2 minutes.

13. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 12, wherein the salt concentration of the second water/brine solution is in the ranges from 0 to 26.3%, preferably 1 to 10%, and more preferably 1.5 to 3.5 %.

14. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 13, wherein the ice concentration in the second solution is in the range of 0 - 60%.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the ice concentration in the second solution is in the range of 0 to 60%, such as 1%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%,

35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55% and 60%.

16. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 15, wherein said first water brine solution and alternatively said second solution comprise predetermined oxygen content.

17. A method according to any of the claims 16, wherein the oxygen content of the solution can be, at least partially replaced by C02, to optimize the preservation conditions for the product to be stored.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the ratio of oxygen and carbon- dioxide (C02) is in the range of 5: 1, or 4:1, or 3: 1, or 2:1 or 1: 1, or 1:2, or 3: 1, or 4: 1, or 5: 1.

19. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 18, wherein chemicals can be added to the fluidic ice slurry said chemicals being selected from the group of acidic acid, citric acid, vitamin-C, BHT, TBHQ, etoxyquinin, antibiotica, (salts other than sodium chloride) such as phosphates, calcium salts, salts of Mg, K, ect, sugars, acids, emulsifiers, gelling agents, color agents, etc.

20. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 19, wherein the first water/brine solution is pre-cooled to a temperature close to its freezing point.

21. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 20, wherein the water/brine solution is continuously re-circulated from the from the bottom of the tank and over the plates until a certain thickness of ice has been generated on the surface of the plats.

22. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 21, wherein the method for making the fluidic ice slurry is controlled by computer system.

23. A method according to any of the claims 7 - 22, wherein the said computer system further comprise industrial PLC computer.