Layered ice body preparation device and method based on conductivity

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of ice making, and relates to a layered ice body preparation device and method based on conductivity. According to the layered ice body preparation technology based on conductivity, adjustment of ice body characteristics can be achieved through simple component combination and operation procedures, complex molds or special structures are not needed, large-scale application is easy, and operation is simpler and more convenient. By accurately adjusting the conductivity of water injection every time, physicochemical properties such as transparency and hardness of each layer of the ice body can be independently controlled under the condition that the gas content of the ice body is not changed in the ice body preparation process, so that accurate adjustment of local characteristics in the ice body is achieved, the special requirements for the ice body performance in more scenes are met, and the ice body performance is improved. For example, accurate requirements on physicochemical properties of different levels of ice bodies in scientific research are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of ice making, and relates to a device and method for preparing a layered ice body based on conductivity. Background Art

[0002] In production and life, ice has a wide range of application scenarios, covering multiple fields such as the food industry, biomedicine, materials science, and ice and snow sports. In ice and snow sports, the hardness of the ice surface is closely related to the ice crystal size and density. For example, short track speed skating requires a high-hardness ice surface to reduce the cutting depth of the ice skates, while figure skating requires an appropriate reduction in hardness to ensure the buffering performance of the jumping landing. However, traditional ice preparation methods such as unidirectional freezing and temperature gradient induction usually rely on a single temperature or pressure parameter, and it is difficult to precisely control the internal conductivity distribution and layered structure of the ice body, resulting in the inability to customize key properties such as ice crystal morphology and porosity as needed, which limits its application in high-end fields.

[0003] Currently, there is no effective solution in the existing ice preparation technology for controlling the internal structure of ice. For example, the patent "Method and Equipment for Manufacturing Transparent Ice" with the patent application number 202280068299.7 prepares transparent ice by controlling the TDS value of the ice-making water and discharging the water with a high TDS value. However, this method only prepares transparent ice by adjusting the TDS value of the water, does not improve the ice preparation method itself, and requires a small mold, making it difficult to apply to large-scale ice-making scenarios. There are still many limitations in the existing ice preparation technology for controlling the internal structure and physical and chemical properties of the ice body, and further research is urgently needed to develop a more efficient, flexible, and multi-scenario applicable ice preparation method.

[0004] There are significant limitations in the existing ice body regulation methods in this technical field, mainly reflected in the difficulty of precisely regulating the internal physical and chemical properties of the ice body. Although traditional technologies can achieve overall ice quality adjustment, they face multiple technical bottlenecks in aspects such as local property control, equipment economy, and ice formation uniformity: (1) Affected by the phase transformation law of the crystallization process, it is difficult for existing technologies to maintain the longitudinal consistency of the physical and chemical properties of the ice body, resulting in problems such as transparency gradient changes and uneven hardness distribution, seriously affecting the overall performance of the ice structure. (2) Traditional methods can only achieve the adjustment of macroscopic parameters of the ice body and cannot perform directional modification on specific regions during the ice-making process, making it difficult to meet the special requirements for functional zoning of the ice body in fields such as medical cold chain and experimental research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: overcoming the deficiencies of the prior art, a layered ice body preparation device and method based on conductivity are proposed. By establishing a quantitative relationship model between the conductivity of an aqueous solution and the gas content, transparency, and mechanical strength of the ice body, a multi-stage gradient water injection process is used to achieve precise control of the ice layer on the refrigeration base surface. Compared with traditional methods, it has three major advantages: (1) Simplified design of the equipment, significantly reducing the manufacturing cost, which can be implemented only with a conventional refrigeration device and an intelligent water injection system; (2) Achieving longitudinal physical property gradient design of the ice body through layered crystallization control, breaking through the limitation of ice formation uniformity; (3) Supporting high-precision local area property control, and a composite ice body with functional partitions can be constructed according to the application scenario requirements.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is:

[0007] A layered ice body preparation device based on conductivity, the device includes a refrigeration surface temperature sensor 1, a refrigeration unit 2, a freezer 3, a thermal insulation material 4, a conductivity sensor 5, and a water storage device 6;

[0008] The thermal insulation material 4 is used to insulate the freezer 3;

[0009] There is a refrigeration unit 2 on the inner bottom surface of the freezer 3 for supplying cold to the freezer 3, and the upper surface of the refrigeration unit 2 is the refrigeration surface;

[0010] The refrigeration surface temperature sensor 1 is used to monitor the temperature of the refrigeration unit 2. There are multiple refrigeration surface temperature sensors 1, which are evenly distributed on the surface of the monitoring refrigeration unit 2;

[0011] The conductivity sensor 5 is used to measure the conductivity of the water in the water storage device 6;

[0012] The water storage device 6 is used to inject water into the freezer 3.

[0013] The refrigeration surface temperature sensor 1 can adopt a resistance thermometer or a thermocouple temperature sensor;

[0014] The refrigeration unit 2 supports compression, absorption, or semiconductor refrigeration modes;

[0015] The freezer 3 is made of metal materials such as aluminum alloy and stainless steel or non-metal materials such as ceramics and plastics, providing a controllable freezing environment for the formation of the ice body inside;

[0016] The thermal insulation material 4 is selected from thermal insulation cotton or pearl cotton with a low thermal conductivity coefficient to reduce heat dissipation;

[0017] The conductivity sensor 5 can be configured as a flat plate type, annular, or inserted type structure according to requirements;

[0018] The material of the water storage device 6 is compatible with the freezer 3 to ensure the stability of the water quality.

[0019] The heat insulation material 4 is fixed on the outer side of the freezer 3 to reduce heat loss during the ice-making process.

[0020] If the freezer 3 is made of metal, the heat insulation material 4 is installed on the inner surface of the freezer 3 to ensure unidirectional freezing of ice. If the freezer 3 is made of non-metal, the heat insulation material 4 is installed on the outer surface of the freezer 3;

[0021] The top of the freezer 3 is designed to be open or equipped with an openable top cover so that water can be injected into the freezer 3 in batches during the ice-making process.

[0022] A method for preparing a layered ice body based on conductivity, the steps of the method include:

[0023] The first step is to inject the first layer of ice-making water into the water storage device 6, and the conductivity of the water meets the set value; by adjusting the ratio of deionized water and municipal water for mixing until the conductivity sensor monitors that the ice-making water meets the preset conditions;

[0024] The second step is to turn on the refrigeration unit 2 to cool the freezer 3 to the set temperature T0. When the refrigeration surface temperature sensor 1 detects that the temperature of the refrigeration unit 2 reaches T0 and is stable, inject the first layer of ice-making water into the freezer 3 through the water storage device 6 by means of a spray head or manually. When the refrigeration surface temperature drops to T0, the first layer of ice-making water is completely frozen;

[0025] The third step is to inject the second layer of ice-making water into the water storage device 6, and inject the second layer of ice-making water into the freezer 3 through the water storage device 6 by means of a spray head or manually. When the refrigeration surface temperature drops to T0, the second layer of ice-making water is completely frozen;

[0026] Repeat the third step until the ice-making height reaches the requirement, and the preparation of the layered ice body is completed.

[0027] The relationship between the transparency and hardness of the ice body and the conductivity is as follows:

[0028] A = a1C 2 + b1C + c1

[0029] D = a2C 2 + b2C + c2

[0030] In the formula, A is the transparency of the ice body, %;

[0031] C is the conductivity of water, μs / cm;

[0032] D is the hardness of the ice body, HD;

[0033] a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, and c2 are constants.

[0034] Beneficial effects

[0035] 1. The conductivity-based hierarchical ice body preparation technology adopted in this application can adjust the characteristics of the ice body through simple component combination and operation processes, without the need for complex molds or special structures, making it easy for large-scale application and simpler to operate.

[0036] 2. By precisely adjusting the conductivity of each water injection, this application can independently control the physical and chemical properties such as the transparency and hardness of each layer of the ice body during the ice body preparation process without changing the gas content of the ice body, thereby achieving precise adjustment of the local characteristics inside the ice body and meeting the special needs for the performance of the ice body in more scenarios, such as the precise requirements for the physical and chemical properties of ice bodies at different levels in scientific research.

[0037] 3. For the technical solution adopted in this application, the components involved are all common and low-cost devices, such as ordinary refrigeration units, conductivity sensors, etc., which are easy to purchase and maintain, reducing the overall cost of the ice-making equipment and also reducing the inconvenience caused by equipment maintenance.

[0038] 4. In the embodiments of the present invention, the refrigeration unit adopts a low-temperature constant temperature water bath, mainly achieved through compression refrigeration. In addition, the present invention is also compatible with various refrigeration methods such as semiconductor thermoelectric refrigeration and absorption refrigeration.

[0039] 5. The present invention ensures uniform water distribution in the freezer during the water spraying process through multiple nozzles. In addition to nozzles, flow equalizing plates or other flow equalizing methods, or even direct manual water injection, can be used as alternative solutions to the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the method flow of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between the physical properties of ice and the conductivity of water and electricity;

[0043] Figure 4 is the structure diagram of the device in the embodiment;

[0044] Figure 5 is the sliced image of ice formed with different conductivities;

[0045] Figure 6 is the relationship between the conductivity of the hierarchical ice-making water and the transparency and hardness of the ice. Detailed Embodiments

[0046] The following further describes the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

[0047] Such asFigure 1 As shown in Figure 1 , a device for preparing a layered ice body based on conductivity includes a refrigerating surface temperature sensor 1, a refrigerating unit 2, a freezer 3, a heat-insulating material 4, a conductivity sensor 5, and a water storage device 6;

[0048] The heat-insulating material 4 is used to insulate the freezer 3;

[0049] The inner bottom surface of the freezer 3 has a refrigerating unit 2 for supplying cold to the freezer 3, and the upper surface of the refrigerating unit 2 is the refrigerating surface;

[0050] The refrigerating surface temperature sensor 1 is used to monitor the temperature of the refrigerating unit 2. There are multiple refrigerating surface temperature sensors 1, which are evenly distributed on the surface of the monitored refrigerating unit 2;

[0051] The conductivity sensor 5 is used to measure the conductivity of the water in the water storage device 6;

[0052] The water storage device 6 is used to inject water into the freezer 3.

[0053] The refrigerating surface temperature sensor 1 can adopt a resistance thermometer or a thermocouple temperature sensor;

[0054] The refrigerating unit 2 supports compression, absorption, or semiconductor refrigeration modes;

[0055] The freezer 3 is made of metal materials such as aluminum alloy and stainless steel, or non-metal materials such as ceramics and plastics, providing a controllable freezing environment for the formation of the ice body inside;

[0056] The heat-insulating material 4 is selected as heat-insulating cotton or pearl cotton with a low thermal conductivity coefficient to reduce heat dissipation;

[0057] The conductivity sensor 5 can be configured into a flat, annular, or inserted structure according to requirements;

[0058] The material of the water storage device 6 is compatible with that of the freezer 3 to ensure the stability of water quality.

[0059] The heat-insulating material 4 is fixed on the outside of the freezer 3 to reduce heat loss during the ice-making process.

[0060] If the freezer 3 is made of metal, the heat-insulating material 4 is installed on the inner surface of the freezer 3 to ensure unidirectional freezing of the ice. If the freezer 3 is made of non-metal, the heat-insulating material 4 is installed on the outer surface of the freezer 3;

[0061] The top of the freezer 3 is designed to be open or equipped with an openable top cover so that water can be injected into the freezer 3 in batches during the ice-making process.

[0062] A method for preparing a layered ice body based on conductivity, the steps of which include:

[0063] First step, inject the first layer of ice-making water into the water storage device 6, and the conductivity of the water meets the set value; by adjusting the mixing ratio of deionized water and municipal water until the conductivity sensor monitors that the ice-making water meets the preset conditions;

[0064] Second step, turn on the refrigeration unit 2 to cool the freezer 3 to the set temperature T0. When the refrigeration surface temperature sensor 1 detects that the temperature of the refrigeration unit 2 reaches T0 and stabilizes, inject the first layer of ice-making water into the freezer 3 through the water storage device 6 by means of a nozzle or manually. When the temperature of the refrigeration surface drops to T0, the first layer of ice-making water is completely frozen;

[0065] Third step, inject the second layer of ice-making water into the water storage device 6, and inject the second layer of ice-making water into the freezer 3 through the water storage device 6 by means of a nozzle or manually. When the temperature of the refrigeration surface drops to T0, the second layer of ice-making water is completely frozen;

[0066] Repeat the third step until the ice-making height reaches the requirement, and the preparation of the layered ice body is completed.

[0067] The above method controls the physical and chemical characteristics of the prepared ice body by changing the conductivity of the ice-making water sprayed each time to obtain an ice body that meets the requirements. Figure 2 It is a specific working flow chart of the layered ice body characteristic adjustment technology based on conductivity. This method only requires a single refrigeration unit 2 to provide freezing conditions, uses sensors 1 and 5 to monitor the refrigeration temperature and conductivity changes, adjusts the conductivity of the water according to the required ice body characteristics, without additional devices, is easy to operate, and saves costs. Moreover, it can accurately adjust the conductivity of each layer or even different regions of the water, thereby controlling the physical and chemical characteristics such as the transparency and hardness of the local ice body. The schematic diagram of the control curve of the transparency and hardness of the ice body by changing the conductivity of the water is as Figure 3 shown, and the relationship between the transparency and hardness of the ice body and the conductivity is as follows:

[0068] A = a1C 2 + b1C + c1

[0069] D = a2C 2 + b2C + c2

[0070] In the formula, A is the transparency of the ice body, %;

[0071] C is the conductivity of the water, μs / cm;

[0072] D is the hardness of the ice body, HD;

[0073] a1, a2, b1, b2, c1, and c2 are constants.

[0074] Example

[0075] This embodiment introduces a device for the preparation and property regulation method of a layered ice body based on conductivity, and its specific structure is as Figure 4 shown. In this device, the thermal insulation material 1 is closely pasted on the outer side of the freezer 3 to play a heat preservation role. At the same time, it is also pasted on the four inner side surfaces of the freezer 3 to ensure that the ice body can achieve unidirectional freezing. The selected thermal insulation material is square thermal insulation cotton with a thickness set to 2 cm. The freezer 3 itself is made of stainless steel, with dimensions of 200 mm in length, 200 mm in width, and 230 mm in height. The refrigeration unit 2 at the bottom of the device is welded to the freezer 3 by a stainless steel cold plate, and the required cooling capacity is supplied to the refrigeration unit 2 through a low-temperature constant temperature water bath 10.

[0076] The water storage devices 501, 502, 503, and 504 all adopt plastic water tanks, and are connected to the flow meter 8, the water pump 11, and the solenoid valve 705 through pipelines. Municipal water and deionized water are respectively filled in the water storage devices 503 and 504. The water storage and connection of the water tanks are respectively realized through the solenoid valves 701, 702, 703, and 704. Among them, the water pump 11 selected is a self-priming pump, which is connected to the controller 9 through the power line 908. The flow meter 8 is a positive displacement flow meter, which is connected to the controller 9 through the power line 907. The solenoid valves 701, 702, 703, 704, and 705 adopt direct-acting solenoid valves, and are respectively connected to the controller 9 through the power lines 902, 903, 904, 905, and 906. The conductivity sensor 6 is connected to the controller 9 through the power line 909. The water spraying device 12 is composed of a stainless steel drainage trough, which is fixed on the top of the freezer by bolts and is used to evenly spray water into the interior of the freezer 3.

[0077] In addition, the cold surface temperature sensor 1 is connected to the controller 9 through the power line 903. Its main function is to provide power for the temperature sensor and collect temperature signals. The temperature sensor uses a T-type thermocouple and is arranged on the surface of the corresponding measuring point. In this embodiment, the application of this layered ice-making device is mainly demonstrated by regulating the transparency and hardness of the ice body.

[0078] It includes the following steps:

[0079] The first step: Determine the conductivity C of the water used for ice-making in each layer according to the gas content, transparency A, and hardness D of the required ice body.

[0080] The second step: Inject the two kinds of water in the water storage devices 503 and 504 into the water storage device 502 respectively, measure its conductivity and adjust it to C. Open the solenoid valve 701 to drain the water in the water storage device 501 and then close it. Open the solenoid valve 702 to inject water into the water storage device 501 and then close it. Set the total ice-making height H.

[0081] Third step: Connect the low-temperature constant temperature water bath 10 to the inlet and outlet of the freezer 3, fix the temperature and flow rate of the low-temperature constant temperature water bath 10. When the temperature fluctuation of the refrigerating surface is less than 0.2 °C within 1 minute, it is considered that the system circulation reaches a stable state at this time, and this temperature value is recorded as T0 through the controller 9.

[0082] Fourth step: Open the water pump 11 and the solenoid valve 705 through the controller 9. Use the water pump 11 to pump out the single-layer ice-making water from the water storage device 501, and evenly spray it into the freezer 3 through the spraying device 12. The water spray volume is collected by the flow meter 8. After reaching the single-time water spray volume, the controller 9 closes the water pump 11 and the solenoid valve 705.

[0083] Fifth step: Collect the temperature change of the refrigerating surface through the controller 9. After water injection, the temperature of the refrigerating surface rises. When the temperature of the refrigerating surface drops back to T0, the ice layer in the freezer 3 is completely frozen. At this time, the controller 9 will first repeat steps three and four.

[0084] Sixth step: Repeat the above operations until the ice body reaches the set ice-making height H. At this time, stop the operation of the low-temperature constant temperature water bath 10, separate the freezer 3 and the spraying device 12, and take out the prepared ice body.

[0085] Using the Figure 4 shown method for preparing a layered ice body based on conductivity, the temperature T0 of the refrigerating surface is controlled at -6 °C, the thickness of each ice pouring is 1 mm, and the conductivities of the water are 3 μs / cm, 100 μs / cm, 200 μs / cm, and 400 μs / cm respectively. The sliced photos of the ice bodies are as Figure 5 shown, and the transparency and hardness of the ice bodies are as Figure 6 shown. When the conductivity is 3 μs / cm, the ice body is almost transparent, the transparency of the ice body is 73.8%, and the hardness is 30.5 HD; when the conductivity is 100 μs / cm, white layered boundaries appear in the ice body, the transparency of the ice body is 46.0%, and the hardness is 27.5 HD; when the conductivity is 200 μs / cm, the white layered precipitates inside the ice body are more widely distributed, the transparency of the ice body is 16.9%, and the hardness is 25.5 HD; when the conductivity is 400 μs / cm, the transparency of the ice body is 2.2%, and the hardness is 24 HD. With the increase of each conductivity, the transparency of the ice body decreases, and the hardness decreases.

[0086] By changing the conductivity of the water to regulate the gas content of the ice body can further affect the physical property parameters such as the hardness and transparency of the ice body. The relationship between the transparency and hardness of the ice body and the conductivity is as follows:

[0087] A = 4.93×10 -4 C 2-0.383C + 76.2

[0088] D = 4.50×10 -5 C 2 -0.0340C + 30.5

[0089] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these changes and modifications.

[0090] Through the method of preparing layered ice bodies, by utilizing the specific relationship between the conductivity of water and the gas content and other physical and chemical properties after ice formation, water is injected in batches to form ice on the refrigerating surface, and the characteristics of each layer of the ice body, such as transparency, hardness, etc., are adjusted.

[0091] Components such as a refrigerating surface temperature sensor, a refrigerating unit, a freezer, a heat-insulating material, a conductivity sensor, a water storage device, and a controller are used to construct a system for regulating the characteristics of layered ice bodies based on conductivity technology, so as to achieve precise control of the characteristics of the ice body.

[0092] Based on the method of preparing layered ice bodies, during the ice-making process, the overall or local properties of the ice are adjusted by regulating the conductivity of water.

[0093] In summary, the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A conductivity-based stratified ice preparation device, characterized in that: The device comprises a refrigeration surface temperature sensor (1), a refrigeration unit (2), a freezing chamber (3), a heat-insulating material (4), an electrical conductivity sensor (5) and a water storage device (6); The heat-insulating material (4) is used to keep the freezing chamber (3) warm; The inner bottom surface of the freezing chamber (3) is provided with a refrigeration unit (2) for supplying cold to the freezing chamber (3); the upper surface of the refrigeration unit (2) is a refrigeration surface; The refrigeration surface temperature sensor (1) is used to monitor the temperature of the refrigeration unit (2); The conductivity sensor (5) is used to measure the conductivity of water in the water storage device (6); The water storage device (6) is used to inject water into the freezing chamber (3).

2. The device for preparing stratified ice based on electrical conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple refrigeration surface temperature sensors (1) which are evenly distributed on the surface of the monitored refrigeration unit (2).

3. The device for preparing stratified ice based on conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration surface temperature sensor (1) is a resistance thermometer or a thermocouple temperature sensor.

4. The device for preparing stratified ice based on conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The refrigeration unit (2) supports compression, absorption or semiconductor refrigeration mode.

5. The device for preparing stratified ice based on conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The freezing chamber (3) is made of aluminum alloy, stainless steel, ceramics or plastic.

6. The device for preparing stratified ice based on electrical conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the heat-insulating material (4) is heat-insulating cotton or pearl cotton.

7. The device for preparing stratified ice based on electrical conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductivity sensor (5) is of a flat plate type, annular type or insert type structure.

8. The device for preparing stratified ice based on electrical conductivity according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the water storage device (6) is compatible with the freezing chamber (3), thereby ensuring the stability of water quality.

9. A method for preparing layered ice based on electrical conductivity, characterized in that The steps of the method include: In the first step, a first layer of ice-making water is injected into the water storage device (6), and the conductivity of the water meets the set value; the deionized water and the municipal water are mixed by adjusting the ratio until the conductivity sensor detects that the ice-making water meets the preset conditions; In the second step, the refrigeration unit (2) is turned on to cool the freezing chamber (3) to a set temperature T0. When the refrigeration surface temperature sensor (1) detects that the temperature of the refrigeration unit (2) has reached T0 and is stable, the first layer of ice-making water is added into the freezing chamber (3) through a nozzle or manually through the water storage device (6). When the refrigeration surface temperature drops to T0, the first layer of ice-making water is completely frozen. The third step is to inject the second layer of ice-making water into the water storage device (6), and to add the second layer of ice-making water into the freezing chamber (3) through the water storage device (6) through a nozzle or manually, and when the refrigeration surface temperature drops to T0, the second layer of ice-making water is completely frozen; Repeat the third step until the ice making height reaches the requirement and the layered ice preparation is completed.

10. The method for preparing stratified ice based on electrical conductivity according to claim 9, characterized in that: The relationship between the transparency and hardness of ice and its conductivity is as follows: A=a2C 2 +b2C+c2 <h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">D=a3C<h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> 2 <h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> +b3C+c3 Where A is the transparency of the ice body, %; D is the hardness of the ice, HD; a2, a3, b2, b3, c2, and c3 are constants.

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