Mixed-phase generator and use thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method of producing a mixed-phase environment. A plurality of supercooled liquid particles are dispersed into a fluid to form a first stream. A plurality of ice particles are dispersed into a fluid to form a second stream. The first and second streams are mixed to form a third stream. The present disclosure also provides a system for producing a mixed-phase environment. The system includes an ice generator, an ice disperser, a water disperser, a first fluid source coupled to the water dispenser, a second fluid source fluidly coupled to the ice disperser, a first flow chamber fluidly coupled to the first fluid source and having an outlet, a second flow chamber fluidly coupled to the second fluid source and having an outlet, and a third flow chamber that includes an inlet fluidly coupled to the outlets of the first and second flow chambers.

1 . A method for producing a mixed-phase environment, comprising:
 dispersing a plurality of supercooled liquid particles in a fluid to form a first stream;   dispersing a plurality of ice particles in a fluid to form a second stream; and   mixing the first and second streams to produce a third stream, at least a portion of the third stream comprising a mixed-phase of ice particles and supercooled liquid particles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating ice particles having a controlled distribution of crystal habits. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution is at least substantially monodisperse. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the distribution approximates the distribution of crystal habits of ice particles in an atmospheric mixed-phase cloud. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining the distribution of crystal habits in an environment of interest and generating ice particles having at least substantially the distribution as in the environment of interest. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating ice particles comprises generating ice particles in a fall chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the third stream comprises a first region consisting essentially of ice particles, a second region consisting essentially of supercooled water particles, and third region comprising a mixed-phase region comprising ice particles and supercooled water particles. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising altering the distribution of the first, second, and third regions by altering the properties of the first or second streams. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein altering the distribution comprises altering the composition of the first or second stream. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein altering the distribution comprises altering flow properties of the first or second stream. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein altering flow properties of the first or second stream comprises altering the flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein altering flow properties of the first or second stream comprises altering the flow volume. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising locating a sensor in the third stream to measure a property of the third stream. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising moving the sensor in the third stream. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first stream and the second stream converge to form the third stream in near parallel flows. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , the method of  claim 1  further adjusting the properties of the third stream using a fourth stream. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein adjusting the properties of the third stream using a fourth stream comprises injecting air into the third stream to regulate the level of turbulence in the third stream. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating ice particles; and   storing ice particles;   wherein dispersing ice particles in a fluid to form a first stream comprises dispersing stored ice particles.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein mixing the first and second streams comprises introducing the first stream parallel to the second stream. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volumes of the first and second streams are approximately equal at a point of mixing.