A model for the freezing of water in a dispersed medium

A device is described for studies of the freezing process in a "dispersed medium." In essence, it consists of two pores connected by a very thin capillary. With this device, it was possible to measure directly the rate of frost heaving as a function of the ice-water interface temperature. Water movement and frost heaving could be observed also under isothermal conditions. A novel concept of an "equivalent, oriented osmotic pressure" is discussed which defines the water driving force. It is shown that the phenomenon of frost having is related to anomalous properties of the (in part, adsorbed) water layer, situated between the ice and the solid wall. This water imposes an anisotropy of the pressure tensor, due to the wall influence which is directly manifested in the frost heaving.