Phase transformation and the heat and mass transfer in the ice, water and brine system

Ice can be generated if water is directly introduced to a cold bath of brine without a solid surface provided that the heat transfer exceeds mass transfer. However, if the generated ice is left in the brine, it will melt. It has been found that, both formation and melting of ice in the same brine environment was due to the combination of heat and mass transfer. The direction and magnitude of heat and mass transfer, determined by temperature and concentration gradients are the key factors determining the phase of the water/ice in the brine solution.