What Is the Working Principle of a Large Industrial Ice Tube Maker Machine?

In numerous industrial sectors—from food processing and chemical production to concrete cooling and fisheries—reliable and efficient ice production is not a luxury but a critical operational component. Among the various ice-making technologies, the tube ice machine stands out for producing high-quality, cylindrical ice that is hard, slow-melting, and easy to handle. For operations requiring substantial output, a large-capacity industrial ice tube maker machine becomes the cornerstone of the cooling process. This article aims to demystify the workings of these powerful systems, providing valuable insights for professionals involved in selection, operation, and maintenance.

An Overview and Classification of Tube Ice Machines

Tube ice is characterized by its small, hollow cylindrical shape, typically 22mm to 35mm in diameter and 25mm to 50mm in length. This form factor offers an excellent surface-area-to-volume ratio, ensuring efficient cooling.

These machines are broadly classified:

• By Capacity & Structure: Ranging from modular units to heavy-duty industrial systems. Capacities are often denoted in tons per 24 hours (e.g., a 10 ton ice tube machine, 20 ton tube ice machine, or 30 ton tube ice machine), referring to the daily ice production output.
• By Refrigerant: Modern systems utilize environmentally friendly refrigerants like R404A, R507A, or R717 (Ammonia), chosen based on efficiency, safety requirements, and local regulations.

System Components of a High-Capacity Industrial Tube Ice Maker

A large industrial unit is an integration of several synchronized subsystems:

1. Refrigeration System: The core, comprising a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and the evaporator (which is the vertical ice-making bank).
2. Water Circulation & Distribution System: Includes a water pump, storage tank, and a precision spray system that evenly distributes water over the inner walls of the evaporator tubes.
3. Harvesting (Hot Gas Defrost) & Cutting System: Manages the release of ice columns via a controlled hot gas cycle and a rotary cutter that slices the ice columns into uniform pieces.
4. Ice Storage & Conveyance System: Typically an insulated bin with an auger or conveyor belt to transport ice to the point of use.
5. Control & Electrical System: A programmable logic controller (PLC) automates the entire cycle, monitoring parameters for optimal performance.

Detailed Working Principle of a Large Industrial Ice Tube Maker Machine

The operation is a cyclic process of freezing, harvesting, and restarting.

1. The Refrigeration Cycle: The compressor circulates refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the water flowing inside the evaporator tubes and rejects it via the condenser.
2. The Ice Formation Process: Pre-chilled and treated water is pumped to the top of the evaporator bank and sprayed down the inner walls of the vertical tubes. As the refrigerant evaporates on the outside of these tubes, it extracts heat, causing the water inside to freeze from the wall inward. A central column of unfrozen water continues to flow. Once the ice layer reaches a predetermined thickness (usually 4-6mm), the cycle proceeds to harvest.
3. Hot Gas Defrost Mechanism: The PLC initiates the harvest phase. A valve redirects hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas (directly from the compressor discharge) into the evaporator tubes. This rapid, controlled heating slightly melts the ice’s outer surface, freeing the cylindrical ice columns from the tube walls. They then slide down by gravity.
4. Cutting and Discharge: The solid ice columns, now released, fall onto a rotating cutter situated at the bottom, which chops them into predefined small tube pieces. The ice pieces are then directed into the storage bin.
5. Cycle and Capacity Calculation: The machine continuously repeats this Freeze-Harvest cycle. The total daily capacity (10, 20, or 30 tons) is determined by the ice weight per harvest cycle multiplied by the number of cycles per day, meticulously engineered for efficiency.