The tube ice machine achieves continuous ice making of water through refrigerant circulation and heat exchange. Its working principle can be divided into four core links: refrigeration cycle, ice making process, de icing process, and automation control, as follows:
1、 Refrigeration cycle: the core driving force for ice making
The refrigeration cycle of the tube ice machine is based on the principle of vapor compression refrigeration, which achieves phase change and heat transfer of the refrigerant through the coordinated work of the compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator
Compression process: The compressor compresses low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant into high-temperature and high-pressure gas, increasing its temperature and pressure.
Condensation process: High temperature and high pressure gases dissipate heat through the condenser and are converted into medium temperature and high pressure liquid refrigerants.
Throttling process: The liquid refrigerant is depressurized by the expansion valve and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure liquid, ready to enter the evaporator.
Evaporation process: Low temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant absorbs heat in the evaporator, evaporates into a gaseous state, and completes the refrigeration cycle.
2、 Ice making process: heat exchange between water and refrigerant
The ice making core of the tube ice machine is a vertical tube shell evaporator, and its ice making steps are as follows:
Water circulation system: The water pump draws water from the reservoir to the distribution tank at the top of the evaporator, and evenly sprays it onto the inner wall of the evaporator pipe through a water distributor, forming a water film.
Heat exchange and icing: The low-temperature refrigerant flowing outside the evaporator tube absorbs the heat from the water inside the tube, causing the water temperature to drop below freezing point and gradually form an ice layer.
Ice layer thickening: Unfrostered water flows back to the reservoir for recycling, and the ice layer continues to thicken to the set thickness (usually 8-15mm).
3、 De icing process: efficient separation and cutting
When the ice layer reaches the set thickness, the tube ice machine automatically starts the de icing program:
Stop water supply and supercooling: Close the inlet valve and extend the cooling time to ensure that the ice layer is completely frozen.
Hot gas de icing: Open the high-pressure gas pipe and introduce high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant into the evaporator, causing the outer wall of the ice pipe to slightly melt and reduce adhesion.
Ice cutting and extraction: The ice cutter rotates to cut the ice tube into tubes of a set length (such as 50mm), and the ice cubes flow out from the ice outlet under the action of gravity and centrifugal force.
4、 Automated control: fully intelligent operation throughout the process
The ice pipe machine achieves fully automatic operation through sensors and control system:
Water level control: The float valve automatically adjusts the water level of the reservoir to ensure stable water supply.
Ice thickness control: The time relay or ice thickness sensor monitors the thickness of the ice layer and triggers the de icing program.
Temperature control: The thermostat monitors the evaporation temperature and adjusts the refrigerant flow rate to maintain optimal ice making efficiency.
Safety protection: Install high voltage, low voltage, overload and other protective devices to ensure the safe operation of the equipment.
5、 Structural advantage: Efficient and reliable guarantee
Evaporator design: The vertical shell and tube evaporator increases the heat exchange area and improves ice making efficiency.
Gas liquid separator: Balance the supply of liquid and return gas to ensure stable refrigerant circulation.
Ice cutting mechanism: Accurately cutting ice tubes to ensure even size of ice cubes.
Materials and hygiene: The evaporator is made of 304 stainless steel, which meets food hygiene standards and can directly produce edible ice.
