Cedie Refuerzo 6/29/18

BS Mechanical Engineering MWF 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Ice Plant Process

This ice plant uses 'brine' and 'Ammonia' as refrigerants, working medium alternatively.

The function of an ice plant or ice factory is to make or form ice in large quantity and in large size. The
only difference lies in the ice making the stage. In the freezer compartment, the tray with water when it
comes in contact with very low-temperature environment, becomes ice but in an ice plant which is a huge
commercial factory, it uses separate ice making or ice freezing circuit. The cold is produced in one circuit
and it is transferred to the water cans by another circuit.

1. Ammonia: It is the primary refrigerant which takes heat from brine. This ammonia changes phase while
moving in the circuit.

2. Brine: It is the secondary refrigerant which takes heat from the water and produces ice.

There are three main circuits of working medium in ice plant:

1. Refrigeration circuit: Ammonia as working medium which actually produces the cold by changes
its phase at different location
2. Cooling water circuit: Cooling water as working medium to remove the heat of condenser
3. Brine circuit: Brine solution as working medium which transfers the cold from ammonia to water
filled cans where ice is to be formed

Design Considerations.

Production capacity desired under local ambient conditions

Ice storage capacity desired
Purpose for which ice is to be used
Preferred type of ice, and in the case of block, the block size
Maximum ambient temperature and humidity and annual fluctuations
Cost and availability of local labour including skilled
Temperature, pressure and purity of ice make-up water
Cost of make-up water
Temperature, pressure and type of condenser cooling water
Cost of cooling water
Information on electricity supply: voltage, cycles, phase, maximum installed power, maximum
starting current allowable. Cost of electricity/unit and details of any reduced rate for off-peak
use.
Detail of any physical or planning restrictions of the intended site
Detail of site soil tests
Particulars of grant aid, or soft loans (if any) toward capital or running costs of plant and
conditions attached to aid
Cost of capital (interest)
Different kinds of ice that ice plants produce.

Block Ice

In the manufacture of block ice, tapered rectangular cans filled with water are immersed in a tank of
refrigerated brine.

Flake Ice

Flake ice is formed by spraying water over the surface of a refrigerated drum to freeze it and then
mechanically removing it with a blade

Plate Ice

In the manufacture of plate ice, water is sprayed and frozen onto the outer surface or surfaces of a
refrigerated plate to form a sheet of ice which is usually released by an internal hot gas defrost.
Tube Ice

Tube ice is formed in a vertical shell and tube vessel by passing water down the Inside of tubes which are
cooled by the circulation of refrigerant on the outer surfaces

Sources:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/p3407e/P3407E00.HTM#Contents
http://www.indiastudychannel.com/resources/145551-Construction-working-Ice-Plant.aspx