High-efficiency energy-saving ice-making circulation structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making circulation structure, comprising: compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, water cooling unit, refrigerant pipeline and cooling waste water pipeline. Wherein, the compressor is used to pressurize refrigerant;The condenser dissipates the heat of refrigerant to the outside, thereby reducing the temperature of refrigerant;The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator, and assists the pressure reduction of refrigerant;And the evaporator is used to absorb the temperature of outside water body, and the water body that is cooled but not frozen forms cooling waste water. The water cooling unit recycles the cooling waste water that has been cooled by refrigerant, and the cooling waste water that was originally to be discharged is transported to the water cooling unit, and then reversely absorbs the heat of refrigerant, that is, to reduce the heat absorbed by refrigerant from cooling waste water, to achieve energy-saving effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ice makers, and in particular to a high-efficiency and energy-saving ice-making cycle structure that can recycle and reuse cooling wastewater. Background Technology

[0002] In the food and beverage industry, ice is frequently used to cool food or to add to beverages to keep them chilled and maintain their temperature for a period of time. Especially in industries like beverage shops that use a large amount of ice, they usually have an ice maker to reduce the hassle of purchasing ice.

[0003] Traditional ice makers primarily use a compression refrigeration cycle system to produce ice. This system operates through basic refrigeration components such as a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, along with the refrigerant circulating within them. The refrigerant absorbs heat at the evaporator to freeze water and produce ice cubes. After being heated by the evaporator, the refrigerant is pressurized by the compressor and then sent to the condenser to release heat so that it can subsequently pass through the expansion valve to form a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant. This cycle continues indefinitely.

[0004] The ice-making process of existing ice makers typically includes the following steps: Water pre-filtered by a water pump is injected into ice molds or the surface of the evaporator; then, the compressor is started to compress and circulate the refrigerant. Through the heat absorption effect of refrigerant vaporization in the evaporator, the water in contact with the ice molds or evaporator is rapidly cooled and gradually freezes. After freezing, the evaporator surface is heated by hot gas recirculation or reversing the refrigerant flow, causing the ice to detach from the ice molds. Finally, an ice-removal mechanism or ice-dropping plate collects the ice into a storage refrigerator, while simultaneously draining any water that did not freeze during the freezing process or melted during the ice-removal process.

[0005] However, the water that has not frozen or melted during the de-icing process has already formed low-temperature water at the evaporator end, which has been cooled by the refrigerant. Some of the heat absorbed by the refrigerant during the heating process comes from the low-temperature water, but no ice is directly produced, which actually reduces the cooling efficiency.

[0006] However, existing ice makers installed in food service establishments mostly use air cooling for their condensers due to space constraints. When the ambient temperature is too high, the refrigerant in the condenser becomes less efficient at condensation, leading to reduced efficiency in cooling the water at the evaporator and affecting ice-making speed. Furthermore, the ambient temperature in food service establishments is generally high due to cooking, further reducing the condenser's effectiveness.

[0007] In view of the fact that existing ice makers directly discharge low-temperature water and that the refrigerant condensation efficiency is limited by the ambient temperature, resulting in reduced refrigerant cooling efficiency and affecting ice-making speed, the inventor of this utility model actively and continuously develops utility models that can improve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0008] The main purpose of this invention is to recycle and reuse the cooling wastewater generated during the ice-making process, and to use it to cool the refrigerant to reduce energy waste. This effectively utilizes the low-temperature water generated by the refrigerant, thereby increasing the working efficiency of the refrigerant.

[0009] This utility model discloses a high-efficiency, energy-saving ice-making cycle structure, comprising: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a water-cooling unit, refrigerant piping, and cooling wastewater piping. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant; the condenser dissipates heat from the refrigerant to the outside environment, thereby lowering the refrigerant temperature; the expansion valve controls the refrigerant flow to the evaporator and assists in reducing refrigerant pressure; and the evaporator absorbs the temperature of external water, and the cooled but not frozen water forms cooling wastewater.

[0010] The water-cooled unit is located on the refrigerant pipeline between the compressor and the condenser, and includes: a cooling chamber, a cooling wastewater inlet, a cooling wastewater outlet, and a water-cooled condenser tube. The cooling chamber is formed inside the water-cooled unit to store cooling wastewater; the cooling wastewater inlet connects the cooling chamber to the cooling wastewater pipeline; the cooling wastewater outlet discharges the cooling wastewater from the cooling chamber; and the water-cooled condenser tube is disposed within the cooling chamber.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the refrigerant passes sequentially through a compressor, a water-cooled unit, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator via a refrigerant pipeline. Cooling wastewater enters the cooling chamber via a cooling pipeline and contacts the outer surface of the water-cooled condenser tubes to reduce the refrigerant concentration in the tubes.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the water-cooling unit also has a regulating water valve for injecting external cooling water into the cooling chamber, thereby assisting the water-cooled condenser tube in cooling down and controlling the temperature of the cooling wastewater in the cooling chamber.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the cooling wastewater outlet can be directly connected to the outside world for direct discharge of cooling wastewater.

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a sensing unit disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the expansion valve, for sensing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, when the sensing unit senses that the refrigerant pipeline pressure is too high, it controls the compressor to reduce the pressure; and when the sensing unit senses that the refrigerant pipeline temperature is too high, it inputs external cooling water through the regulating water valve to cool it down.

[0016] A preferred embodiment of this utility model also includes a dryer for removing moisture from the refrigerant and increasing the lifespan of the refrigerant pipeline.

[0017] Ideally, the condenser has a fan to assist in cooling.

[0018] The advantage of this invention lies in recovering cooling wastewater that has already been cooled by refrigerant. Since most cooling wastewater from existing ice makers is directly discharged, it's equivalent to some of the heat absorbed by the refrigerant coming from the discharged wastewater, thus reducing the refrigerant's efficiency in ice making. By transporting the previously discharged wastewater to a water-cooled unit, it reverses the process and absorbs heat from the refrigerant, thereby reducing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant from the wastewater and achieving energy savings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a high-efficiency, energy-saving ice maker circulation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the water-cooling unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0021] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the water-cooling unit structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of icon numbers

[0023] 11: Compressor

[0024] 12: Condenser

[0025] 13: Expansion valve

[0026] 14: Evaporator

[0027] 15: Sensing Unit

[0028] 16: Dryer

[0029] 2: Water-cooled unit

[0030] 20: Cooling chamber

[0031] 21: Cooling wastewater inlet

[0032] 22: Cooling wastewater outlet

[0033] 23: Water-cooled condenser tube

[0034] 24: Control water valve

[0035] L: Cooling wastewater Detailed Implementation

[0036] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, it will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings show some, but not all, embodiments of this utility model. This utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without any inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present utility model, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown in the schematic diagram of the circulation structure of this utility model embodiment, the high-efficiency and energy-saving ice-making circulation structure of this utility model includes: a compressor 11, a condenser 12, an expansion valve 13, an evaporator 14, a water-cooling unit 2, refrigerant pipelines, and a cooling wastewater pipeline. The compressor 11 is used to pressurize the refrigerant; the condenser 12 dissipates the heat of the refrigerant to the outside, thereby reducing the refrigerant temperature; the expansion valve 13 controls the refrigerant flow to the evaporator 14 and assists in reducing the refrigerant pressure; and the evaporator 14 is used to absorb the temperature of the external water body, and the cooled but not frozen water forms cooling wastewater L.

[0039] like Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the water-cooling unit 2 according to an embodiment of this utility model and Figure 3 As shown in the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the water-cooled unit structure of this utility model embodiment, the water-cooled unit 2 is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the compressor 11 and the condenser 12, and has: a cooling chamber 20, a cooling wastewater inlet 21, a cooling wastewater outlet 22, and a water-cooled condenser tube 23. The cooling chamber 20 is formed inside the water-cooled unit 2 and is used to store cooling wastewater L; the cooling wastewater inlet 21 connects the cooling chamber 20 to the cooling wastewater pipeline; the cooling wastewater outlet 22 is used to discharge the cooling wastewater L from the cooling chamber 20; and the water-cooled condenser tube 23 is disposed in the cooling chamber 20.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, in a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the refrigerant passes sequentially through the compressor 11, water-cooled unit 2, condenser 12, expansion valve 13, and evaporator 14 via refrigerant pipelines. Cooling wastewater L enters the water-cooled condenser tube 23 through cooling pipelines, and the cooling wastewater L contacts the outer surface of the water-cooled condenser tube 23 to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant in the water-cooled condenser tube 23.

[0041] Specifically, the cooling wastewater L consists of excess water generated by the evaporator 14 during the production and demolding of ice. Since it also comes into contact with the evaporator 14, the heat from the water itself is carried away by the refrigerant through heat conduction, resulting in a temperature lower than room temperature for the cooling wastewater L. When the refrigerant undergoes isentropic compression in the compressor 11, raising its temperature and forming superheated vapor, it is sent to the water-cooled condenser 23 where it undergoes initial heat dissipation and condensation through the cooling wastewater L. The remaining uncondensed refrigerant continues to condense in the condenser 12, further increasing the cooling effect of the refrigerant.

[0042] Furthermore, when the ambient temperature is high, the cooling effect of the condenser 12 decreases due to the smaller temperature difference. However, the cooling wastewater L in the water-cooled unit 2, having been cooled by the evaporator 14, is lower than the room temperature. This initial cooling of the refrigerant by the water-cooled unit 2 reduces the load on the condenser 12, thereby increasing the overall refrigerant cooling effect. Moreover, since the cooling wastewater L originates from the exhaust cooling water that would otherwise be discharged, it does not increase the energy consumption of the overall circulation structure, thus achieving energy savings.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the water-cooling unit 2 further includes a regulating water valve 24 for injecting external cooling water into the cooling chamber 20, thereby assisting the water-cooled condenser tube 23 in cooling down and controlling the temperature of the cooling wastewater L in the cooling chamber 20.

[0044] In detail, when the ice maker is not fully started and is still warming up, the temperature and volume of the produced cooling wastewater L may be insufficient. The water cooling unit 2 can be pre-set with an external cooling water inlet to introduce external cooling water. This external water connection prevents insufficient cooling wastewater L in the cooling unit 2 from causing dry burning and pipe damage. After the warm-up is complete, the cooling wastewater L enters through the cooling wastewater inlet 21, and the liquid in the cooling chamber 20 is discharged through the cooling wastewater outlet 22, gradually lowering the temperature of the water in the cooling chamber 20.

[0045] Furthermore, since the temperature of room temperature water is usually lower than room temperature, when the ice maker is a model that does not produce cooling wastewater L or produces a small amount of cooling wastewater L, the cooling wastewater inlet 21 can also be directly connected to an external water source to replace the cooling wastewater L and assist the refrigerant in initial cooling.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sensing unit 15 is further included, which is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser 12 and the expansion valve 13, for sensing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the sensing unit 15 senses that the refrigerant pipeline pressure is too high, it controls the compressor 11 to reduce the pressure; and when the sensing unit 15 senses that the refrigerant temperature in the refrigerant pipeline is too high, it inputs external cooling water into the cooling chamber 20 through the regulating water valve 24 to cool it down.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the cooling wastewater outlet 22 can be directly connected to the outside world for direct discharge of cooling wastewater L.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dryer 16 is disposed between the condenser 12 and the expansion valve 13 in the refrigerant pipeline to remove moisture from the refrigerant and increase the life of the refrigerant pipeline.

[0050] Preferably, the condenser 12 has a fan (not shown) to assist in cooling.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, when the sensing unit 15 senses an abnormal refrigerant temperature, it can also increase the fan speed to assist the cooling effect of the condenser 12.

[0052] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency, energy-saving ice-making circulation structure, characterized in that, include: A compressor is used to pressurize the refrigerant; A condenser, connected to the compressor via refrigerant piping, is used to reduce the temperature of the refrigerant; An expansion valve, connected to the condenser via the refrigerant piping, is used to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant; An evaporator, connected to the condenser and the compressor via the refrigerant piping, for the refrigerant to absorb the temperature of external water and form cooling wastewater; and; A water-cooled unit is disposed on the refrigerant pipeline between the compressor and the condenser, and has the following features: A cooling cavity is formed inside the water-cooling unit; A cooling wastewater inlet is connected to the cooling chamber and a cooling wastewater pipeline. A cooling wastewater outlet is provided for discharging the cooling wastewater from the cooling chamber. as well as A water-cooled condenser tube is disposed in the cooling chamber and extends out of the water-cooling unit at opposite ends to connect the compressor and the condenser respectively; The refrigerant passes sequentially through the compressor, the water-cooling unit, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator via the refrigerant pipeline; the cooling wastewater enters the cooling chamber via the cooling wastewater pipeline; and The cooling wastewater enters the cooling chamber through the cooling wastewater pipeline, so that when the refrigerant enters, the cooling wastewater is used to lower the temperature of the refrigerant pipeline.

2. The high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making cycle structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water-cooling unit also has a regulating water valve, which is located on the outer surface of the water-cooling unit and connects the cooling chamber to the external water passage to inject external cooling water into the cooling chamber in order to control the temperature of the cooling wastewater in the cooling chamber.

3. The high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making cycle structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cooling wastewater outlet is connected to the outside and is used to directly discharge the cooling wastewater.

4. The high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making cycle structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a sensing unit disposed in the refrigerant pipeline between the condenser and the expansion valve, for sensing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant; Specifically, when the sensing unit detects that the refrigerant pipeline pressure is too high, it controls the compressor to reduce the pressure; and When the sensing unit detects that the temperature of the refrigerant pipeline is too high, it inputs external cooling water through the regulating water valve to cool it down.

5. The high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making cycle structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a dryer and the refrigerant piping located between the condenser and the expansion valve.

6. The high-efficiency energy-saving ice-making cycle structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The condenser has a fan to enhance its effect.

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