Numerical simulation of the effect of freezing sword structure on the ice performance of block ice machine

Abstract

Objective: To add a freezing sword inside the evaporator of the ice mould of a direct-cooled block ice machine to achieve rapid ice production. Methods: COMSOL was used to simulate the effects of the cross-sectional shape of the freezing sword and the freezing sword inclination angle on the ice production process. Results: As the ice making process continued, the average internal temperature of the ice mould with additional freezing swords of different cross-sectional shapes decreased and the volume fraction of solid phase in the ice mould increasedd with time, but the average internal temperature of the ice mould with additional freezing swords of circular cross-section was 0.1~0.2 ℃ lower than that of triangular, rectangular and diamond shapes in the same time. In addition, the lower the freezing sword inclination angle was, the faster of the ice production rate it was. Conclusion: The ice-making rate is faster when the cross-section shape of the freezing sword is round or nearly round. Under the premise of ensuring easy de-icing, the angle of inclination of the freezing sword should be reduced as much as possible.

Keywords

• block ice machine
• freezing sword
• cross-sectional shape
• inclination
• numerical simulation