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Chemistry Forums for Students => Physical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: RichB on June 14, 2016, 05:07:51 PM

Title: What is the quickest way to freeze water?
Post by: RichB on June 14, 2016, 05:07:51 PM
I would like to grab water from the atmosphere, and freeze the water with a device ASAP. I don't care about the quality of the water. How would I go about doing it?

The most useful related thing that I can think of with this process is a de-humidifier to get vapor to water. I don't have an idea for an instant freeze of water.

Is there a super cooler on the market or something? :)
Title: Re: What is the quickest way to freeze water?
Post by: Enthalpy on June 15, 2016, 05:30:11 AM
Welcome, RichB!

The question is  bit vague. For instance, if some water has already condensed in the atmosphere as fog, collecting it is much easier than condensing dry vapour from the air with human means.

Also, I'd rather collect liquid water from the air, and freeze it in a separate location. This lets you cool the air less, and can produce ice with the best shape for you needs.

Up to now, humans freeze water by the contact with a cold solid. As the ice cap grows, it insulates the surface from the cold solid, so further growth is slow, like <10cm overnight. I propose there
http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=46384.msg257744#msg257744
to freeze new water by a cold gas instead, which isn't limited by the ice thickness. Though, said gas shouldn't be the ambient air, because cooling new air all the time would be a waste.

But if power isn't a limit, just cool the air by expanding it a lot, and filter out the snow. Quick, and huge waste.