Packaged Block Ice Plant
('containerized')

Production Capacity:
10 mTonnes/
24h - 25 kg Blocks

Refrigerant R717
(NH₃, ammonia)
Freon Available

Description

The Ice Making & Harvesting section of the plant consists of the Brine Tank, an electrically operated Lifting Device (Crane) running on rails along the sides of the tank, a Thawing Tank, a Tilting Device with an inclined Wooden Table to receive the ice blocks as they slide out of the cans and a Filler.   The Brine Tank accommodates 33 Ice Can Frames, each holding 12 Standard Rectangular 25 kg Ice Cans, thus totaling 396 cans.  Alternatively, a brine tank of the same dimensions can be supplied with 40 Ice Can Frames, each holding 10 Standard Square 25 Ice Cans, thus totaling 400 cans.   In both cases, the brine tank is covered with solid Wooden Lids as shown on the picture.

Due to length (height) of the standard 25 kg ice cans - being 1.115 mm for both rectangular and square cans - Lifting Device and the Filler demand a free ceiling clearance for harvesting of about 3,3 m (3.300 mm), which is not available within any standard ocean going ISO container.  to secure the required ceiling height, the five ice making and harvesting components are placed in a standard 40 foot ocean going Hi-cube Open-top ISO Container for dry goods, which is covered with a light roof to protect the equipment and operation against surf, rain, and pilferage.

The Machine Room occupies the rear half of a standard 40 foot ocean going Insulated ISO Container for refrigerated goods, in the front half of which the Ice Storage is located.   Together with the RPE Unit, the Machine Room accommodates the Brine Chiller with the Liquid Separator, the Brine Recirculation Pump, the Air Cooled Condenser, the Refrigerant Receiver, the Electric Switch Board, and other accessories which are connected to one another through refrigerant and brine piping as shown on the Piping Diagram and the electrical wiring.  Cold pips and vessels are insulated as required.

The refrigerant evaporating in the Brine Chiller cools the brine - the cold carrier - which is recirculated by the Brine Pump from the Brine Tank through the Brine Chiller and back to the Brine Tank.  The recirculated quantity is sufficient to facilitate adequate agitation in the Brine Tank.   Removal of the process heat takes place in the Air Cooled Condenser.  Liquid refrigerant collects in the Liquid Receiver, from where it passes over an expansion device back to the Brine Chiller.

The refrigeration capacity required to maintain the temperature in the Ice Storage is small compared to that of the Block Ice Plant.   Therefore, to simplify design and minimize service and maintenance work, the Ice Storage is cooled with an Air Cooler refrigerated through brine pumped from the Brine Tank, for which a small brine pump is provided.

The two main sections of the plant, namely the Ice Making & Harvesting and the Machine Room & Ice Storage (pictured above), are placed side by side on the installation site and interconnected by the Supply and Return Lines for the brine and Electric Power Supply for Harvesting and Lighting.