Cold plates used in refrigeration systems are typically filled with what substance?

Cold plates in refrigeration systems are designed to efficiently transfer heat away from items that need to be cooled. The substances used to fill these cold plates play a critical role in their performance.

Water is commonly used because it has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature changes significantly. This property makes it effective for cooling applications.

Ice serves a similar purpose; when it melts, it absorbs a large amount of heat, which can be useful in certain refrigeration applications, especially when larger quantities of cooling are needed over a short period.

Brine, which is a mixture of salt and water, is particularly useful because it has a lower freezing point than plain water. This allows refrigeration systems to operate at lower temperatures without the risk of freezing, making brine an effective cooling medium in many industrial applications.

Therefore, all three options—water, ice, and brine—can be utilized in refrigeration systems as they each have properties that contribute to effective cooling. This versatility is why the correct answer encompasses all these substances.