Ice-making system, snow-making system and ice-making method

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (10) for producing ice (11c), comprising: at least one plate ice producer (12) having one or more ice-producing plates (13) for producing plate ice (11a), the plate ice producer (12) having at least one opening (14) at its vertically lower end; at least one dispensing device (18) for dispensing the ice (11c) from the system (10); at least one crushing apparatus (15) for crushing the plate ice (11a) into plate ice fragments (11b) using one or more breaking devices (16), the crushing apparatus (15) being located vertically below the plate ice producer (12), and the crushing device (15) having at least one opening (17) at its vertically lower end. The invention further relates to a snow-making system and to a method for producing ice.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plant for the production of ice, a snowmaking plant and a method for the production of ice.

[0002] In the area of ​​winter sports facilities, for example for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, or luge, there is a need to produce artificial snow when ambient temperatures are above freezing. Currently available systems for producing artificial snow at positive ambient temperatures are based on flake ice production. A previously unknown alternative to flake ice in snowmaking technology would be slab ice. While slab ice offers significant advantages over flake ice in terms of specific energy consumption and power density, it has not yet been considered as an alternative to flake ice in snowmaking technology. This is due to the fact that slab ice is produced in bursts and with a high water content, and is therefore not suitable for pneumatic conveying.However, such pneumatic conveying is mandatory for economical use in snowmaking in winter sports. The documents

[0003] KTI-Plersch Kältetechnik GmbH: "KTI - Plate Ice Plant - Concrete Application" (XP055928638, URL:https: / / vimeo.com / 334372390) and Sannan Sigurd: "Temperature independent snow production State of the Art" (XP093328056, URL:https: / / snøkompetanse.no / wp-content / uploads / 2020 / 06 / Temperature-independent-snow-production.pdf) reveal systems for the production of ice, comprising a plate ice generator and a buffer ice storage system.

[0004] Document DE 10 2005 008145 B3 discloses a further plant for the production of ice with a plate ice machine and with a buffer ice storage unit.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a new plant for the production of ice, a new snowmaking plant and a new method for the production of ice, in particular a plant, a snowmaking plant and a method by which it is possible to produce ice for snowmaking based on sheet ice.

[0006] This problem is solved with regard to the system by the features of claim 1, with regard to the snowmaking system by the features of claim 11, and with regard to the method by the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0007] The inventive system for producing ice, in particular for producing ice for a, preferably technical, snowmaking system, comprises at least one sheet ice generator with one or more, in particular vertically oriented, ice-producing plates for producing sheet ice, wherein the sheet ice generator has at least one opening at its vertically lower end, at least one dispensing device for dispensing the ice from the system, and at least one crushing device for crushing the sheet ice into sheet ice fragments with one or more breaking devices, wherein the crushing device is arranged vertically below the sheet ice generator, so that sheet ice, which detaches from the ice-producing plates due to its own weight, falls through the opening of the sheet ice generator into the crushing device and breaks into sheet ice fragments at the breaking device(s) of the crushing device.wherein the shredding device has at least one opening at its lower vertical end.

[0008] A significant advantage of the invention is that the system according to the invention enables low-pressure-loss and continuous conveying of technical snow, even based on sheet ice.

[0009] According to the invention, the system comprises at least one buffer ice storage unit, wherein the buffer ice storage unit is designed to accumulate the sheet ice fragments into a quantity of ice, wherein the buffer ice storage unit is arranged vertically below the crushing device, so that the sheet ice fragments fall or can fall from the crushing device into the buffer ice storage unit, wherein the buffer ice storage unit has at least one opening at its lower vertical end, from which the ice is discharged or can be discharged.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a conveying device for conveying the ice from the buffer ice storage to the dispensing device, wherein at least one section of the conveying device is arranged vertically below the buffer ice storage.

[0011] Preferably, the crushing device is static and / or motionless. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the system does not include a so-called "icebreaker" or "ice crusher," where such an "icebreaker" or "ice crusher" breaks the ice through movement, for example of mechanical components.

[0012] According to a further development, each crushing unit of the crushing device has an edge or point, the edge or point being oriented vertically upwards so that sheet ice falling from the sheet ice generator into the crushing device and onto the edges or points of the crushing devices breaks at the edges or points. The crushing units can be, for example, roof-shaped, cone-shaped, or conical.

[0013] The plate ice machine preferably includes or incorporates a compression refrigeration system.

[0014] Furthermore, the conveying device preferably comprises a screw conveyor, in particular a trough screw conveyor.

[0015] The dispensing device is or preferably comprises a rotary valve.

[0016] It may be provided that the conveying device has a conveying section with a conveying direction towards the dispensing device, wherein the conveying section and / or the conveying direction have an inclination in relation to a horizontal, wherein the conveying section is arranged lower in relation to the horizontal in the area of ​​the opening of the buffer ice storage and higher in the area of ​​the dispensing device.

[0017] By adjusting the incline of the conveying path and / or conveying direction, water can be prevented from flowing out of the conveying device into or towards the discharge device, in particular the rotary valve.

[0018] Preferably, the pitch of the auger or the conveying section of the auger increases in the conveying direction. In particular, the pitch of the auger doubles at one end of the conveying section. This pitch is specifically the helix pitch of the auger. The end of the conveying section is preferably the section of the conveying section behind a displacement plate, for example, behind a leading edge of the displacement plate. By doubling the pitch of the auger, the fill level can be halved and / or the conveyed ice can be loosened. Preferably, the conveying device includes a motor for driving the conveying device.

[0019] The buffer ice storage unit is hyperboloid, double-conical, or double-pyramidal in shape. It is designed to have at least one opening at its lower vertical end and at least one second opening at its upper vertical end, as well as an intermediate central section. The buffer ice storage unit tapers in a funnel shape from its upper vertical opening towards the central section and widens from the central section towards its lower vertical opening. The central section is preferably the narrowest part of the buffer ice storage unit. The plate ice fragments fall through the funnel-shaped section and accumulate in the widening section, preferably preventing, and more preferably completely preventing, the plate ice fragments from interlocking.

[0020] The buffer ice storage system is designed in such a way that ice is continuously and / or with a constant mass flow rate dispensed from the buffer ice storage system.

[0021] Preferably the system has a first water separator, in particular a first perforated plate, wherein the first water separator is arranged in the comminution device and / or vertically below the crushing devices, wherein meltwater is separated from the ice and removed by means of the first water separator in the comminution device or can be separated and removed.

[0022] In particular, the system has a first return line, wherein the first return line preferably connects the crushing device and the plate ice generator, wherein meltwater separated by the first water separator is returned to the plate ice generator or can be returned via the first return line.

[0023] Preferably, the system has a second water separator, in particular a second perforated plate, wherein the second water separator is arranged vertically below the conveying device, wherein meltwater is separated and removed from the ice which is conveyed by means of the conveying device, or can be separated and removed, by means of the second water separator.

[0024] Preferably, the system includes a meltwater collection tank, which is arranged vertically below the conveying device, and in which meltwater separated by the second water separator is collected or can be collected. Furthermore, the system may include a second return line, which preferably connects the meltwater collection tank and the crushing unit, and in which meltwater separated by the second water separator and collected in the meltwater collection tank is returned to the crushing unit via the second return line and can be returned from the crushing unit to the plate ice generator via the first return line.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a displacement plate, in particular a displacement sheet, wherein the displacement plate is provided for directing the ice from the buffer ice storage and / or the ice onto or in the conveying device.

[0026] Preferably, the displacer plate is arranged vertically between the opening of the buffer ice storage and the conveying device. Horizontally, the displacer plate is arranged next to the section of the conveying device located below the opening of the buffer ice storage. In other words, the displacer plate is positioned downstream of the section below the opening of the buffer ice storage in the conveying direction. Alternatively, the displacer plate may be arranged in an end section of the conveying device close to the dispensing device.

[0027] It is preferably provided that the displacer plate has an inclination in relation to a horizontal, wherein the displacer plate is arranged lower on the buffer ice storage side in relation to the horizontal and higher on the output device side.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the system comprises a pneumatic conveying device, preferably with a blower, wherein the pneumatic conveying device is connected to the dispensing device in such a way that the pneumatic conveying device transports ice dispensed at the dispensing device by means of compressed air, in particular to a place to be covered with snow.

[0029] It is particularly preferred that the system be mobile and transportable. It may be designed as a container and / or constructed using container methods, or arranged within a container, particularly a shipping container.

[0030] In winter sports areas, the system is typically installed far from industrial environments in a natural setting. A compact design and a suitable construction for installation with minimal tools and personnel required at the installation site are therefore advantageous for usability.

[0031] The container can serve as the machine room for the system. The system preferably includes a heating unit for either the system or the container. This heating unit is preferably operated, at least partially, using the waste heat from the plate ice machine. The containers may have internal insulation. Furthermore, the system may include one or more frost protection heaters.

[0032] The system may also have a safety device, wherein one or more, preferably all, water-carrying parts of the system are emptied by means of the safety device, preferably by means of valves opened or openable by the safety device.

[0033] The snowmaking system according to the invention comprises at least one ice production system. The snowmaking system is characterized in that the ice production system is a system according to the invention.

[0034] The method according to the invention is provided for the production of ice, preferably for a snowmaking system. The method is carried out with a system, in particular a system according to the invention, comprising at least one plate ice generator with one or more, in particular vertically oriented, ice-producing plates for the production of plate ice, wherein the ice generator has at least one opening at its lower vertical end, at least one dispensing device for dispensing the ice from the system, at least one crushing device for crushing the plate ice into plate ice fragments with one or more breaking devices, wherein the crushing device is arranged vertically below the ice generator, wherein the crushing device has at least one opening at its lower vertical end, and wherein the buffer ice storage is hyperboloid-shaped, double-conical, or double-pyramidal.

[0035] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a) Producing sheet ice on the ice-making plates of the sheet ice plant, b) Crushing the sheet ice into sheet ice fragments by means of the crushing device, wherein the sheet ice, which detaches itself from the ice-making plates due to its own weight, is fed through the opening of the sheet ice producer into the crushing device and is broken into sheet ice fragments at the crushing device(s), c) Dispensing the ice by means of a dispensing device.

[0036] The method according to the invention provides that the system comprises at least one buffer ice storage unit, wherein the sheet ice fragments are accumulated to a quantity of ice by means of the buffer ice storage unit, wherein the buffer ice storage unit is arranged vertically below the crushing device, wherein the buffer ice storage unit has at least one opening at its vertically lower end, wherein the sheet ice fragments are fed to the buffer ice storage unit after crushing in the crushing device and / or accumulated to a quantity of ice in the buffer ice storage unit.

[0037] Furthermore, it may be provided that the plate ice fragments supplied to and / or accumulated in the buffer ice storage are continuously and / or with a constant mass flow rate discharged as ice from the buffer ice storage.

[0038] Preferably, the system comprises a conveying device, wherein at least one section of the conveying device is arranged vertically below the buffer ice storage, with the ice being fed from the buffer ice storage to the conveying device and by means of the conveying device to the dispensing device.

[0039] According to an advantageous further development of the method, the system comprises a pneumatic conveying device, preferably with a blower, wherein the pneumatic conveying device is connected to the dispensing device, wherein ice dispensed at the dispensing device is transported by means of compressed air generated by the pneumatic conveying device, in particular to a place to be covered with snow.

[0040] Preferably the system has a first water separator, in particular a first perforated plate, wherein the first water separator is arranged in the comminution device and / or vertically below the crushing devices, wherein meltwater is separated from the ice and removed by means of the first water separator in the comminution device.

[0041] In particular, the system has a first return line, wherein the first return line preferably connects the crushing device and the plate ice generator, whereby meltwater separated by the first water separator is returned to the plate ice generator by means of the first return line.

[0042] Preferably, the system has a second water separator, in particular a second perforated plate, wherein the second water separator is arranged vertically below the conveying device, wherein meltwater is separated and removed from the ice, which is conveyed by means of the conveying device, by means of the second water separator.

[0043] Preferably, the system includes a meltwater collection tank, which is arranged vertically below the conveying device, and in which meltwater separated by the second water separator is collected. Furthermore, the system may include a second return line, which connects the meltwater collection tank and the crushing unit. Meltwater separated by the second water separator and collected in the meltwater collection tank is conveyed to the crushing unit via the second return line and returned from the crushing unit to the plate ice generator via the first return line.

[0044] The inventive system, the snowmaking system, and the method are explained in more detail below with regard to further features and advantages, based on the description of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. FIG 1 an embodiment of a system according to the invention in a schematic sectional view with a section parallel to the longitudinal side; FIG 2 the system according to FIG. 1 in a schematic sectional view with a section parallel to the front.

[0045] Corresponding parts and components are also designated with the same reference numerals across the various figures and embodiments.

[0046] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2Figure 10 shows a system 10 according to the invention for producing ice 11c for a technical snowmaking system. The system 10 is designed in a container construction and is therefore a mobile, transportable system.

[0047] The system 10 according to the invention comprises a plate ice generator 12 designed as a compression refrigeration system with several vertically oriented ice-producing plates 13 for producing plate ice 11a. The plate ice generator 12 has an opening 14 at its lower vertical end.

[0048] The system 10 further comprises a crushing device 15 for crushing the block ice 11a into block ice fragments 11b. The crushing device 15 comprises several breaking devices 16 and is arranged vertically below the block ice producer 12, so that block ice 11a, which detaches from the ice-producing plates 13 due to its own weight, falls through the opening 14 of the block ice producer 12 into the crushing device 15 and breaks into block ice fragments 11b at the breaking device(s) 16 of the crushing device 15. The crushing device 15 has an opening 17 at its lower vertical end. The crushing device 15 is static and does not move.Each crushing unit 16 of the crushing device 15 is roof-shaped and has an edge 22, the edge 22 being vertically oriented upwards, so that sheet ice 11a, which falls from the sheet ice producer 12 into the crushing device 15 and onto the edges 22 of the crushing devices 16, breaks at the edges 22.

[0049] The system 10 according to the invention further comprises a dispensing device 18 designed as a rotary valve for dispensing ice 11c from the system 10. In addition, the system 10 comprises a pneumatic conveying device 37 with a blower, wherein the pneumatic conveying device 37 is connected to the dispensing device 18 in such a way that the pneumatic conveying device 37 transports ice 11c dispensed at the dispensing device 18 to a location to be covered with snow by means of compressed air.

[0050] Furthermore, the system 10 comprises a buffer ice storage tank 19 for accumulating the sheet ice fragments 11b from the crushing device 15 into a quantity of ice 11c. The buffer ice storage tank 19 is arranged vertically below the crushing device 15, so that the sheet ice fragments 11b fall from the crushing device 15 into the buffer ice storage tank 19. The buffer ice storage tank 19 has at least one opening 20 at its lower vertical end, from which the ice 11c can be discharged. The buffer ice storage tank 19 is hyperboloid in shape, having an opening 20 at its lower vertical end and a second opening 28 at its upper vertical end, as well as an intermediate central section 29. The central section 29 is the narrowest part of the buffer ice storage tank 19. The buffer ice storage tank 19 tapers in a funnel shape from its upper vertical opening 28 towards the central section 29.Starting from the central section 29 towards its lower vertical opening 20, the buffer ice storage tank 19 widens again. The buffer ice storage tank 19 is designed such that ice 11c is continuously discharged from the buffer ice storage tank 19 at the lower vertical opening 20 with a constant mass flow rate.

[0051] The system 10 further comprises a conveying device 21 for conveying the ice 11c from the buffer ice storage 19 to the dispensing device 18, wherein a section of the conveying device 21 is arranged vertically below the buffer ice storage 19, so that ice 11c dispensed from the buffer ice storage 19 can fall onto or into the conveying device 21. The conveying device 21 comprises a screw conveyor 26 designed as a trough conveyor and a motor 27 for driving the conveying device 21. The conveying device 21 has a conveying section 23 with a conveying direction F towards the dispensing device 18, wherein the conveying section 23 and the conveying direction F have an inclination relative to a horizontal H, the conveying section 23 being arranged lower relative to the horizontal H in the area of ​​the opening 20 of the buffer ice storage 19 and higher in the area of ​​the dispensing device 18. Due to the inclination of the conveying section 23, respectively,In the conveying direction F, the outflow of water 24 from the conveying device 21 into or towards the discharge device 18, which is designed as a rotary valve, can be prevented. Furthermore, it is provided that the pitch of the screw conveyor 26, or rather the conveying section 23 of the screw conveyor 26, doubles in an end region 25 located at the rear in the conveying direction F. The end region 25 is the section of the conveying section 23 behind the leading edge 36 of a displacement plate 35 in the conveying direction F. By doubling the pitch, the fill level of the screw conveyor 26 is halved and the conveyed ice 11c is loosened. The displacement plate 35 is, in particular, a displacement plate and is used to direct the ice 11c from the buffer ice storage tank 19. The displacement plate 35 is arranged vertically between the opening 20 of the buffer ice storage tank 19 and the conveying device 21.The displacement plate 35 is arranged horizontally next to the area of ​​the conveying device 21, which is located below the opening 20 of the buffer ice storage tank 19. In other words, the displacement plate 35 is positioned downstream of the area below the opening 20 of the buffer ice storage tank 19 in the conveying direction F. The displacement plate 35 has an inclination relative to a horizontal H, with the displacement plate 35 being positioned lower on the buffer ice storage side relative to the horizontal H and higher on the dispensing device side.

[0052] The system 10 includes a first water separator 30 designed as a perforated plate, wherein the first water separator 30 is arranged in the crushing unit 15 below the crushing devices 16, and wherein meltwater 24 is separated from the ice 11c and discharged by means of the first water separator 30 in the crushing unit 15. Furthermore, the system 10 includes a first return line 31, wherein the first return line 31 connects the crushing unit 15 and the plate ice generator 12, and wherein meltwater 24 separated by the first water separator 30 is returned to the plate ice generator 12 by means of the first return line 31.

[0053] The system 10 further comprises a second water separator 32, designed as a perforated plate, wherein the second water separator 32 is arranged vertically below the conveying device 21, and wherein meltwater 24 is separated and discharged from the ice 11c, which is conveyed by the conveying device 21, by means of the second water separator 32. Furthermore, the system 10 comprises a meltwater collection tank 34, wherein the meltwater collection tank 34 is arranged vertically below the conveying device 21, and wherein meltwater 24 separated by the second water separator 32 is collected in the meltwater collection tank 34.Furthermore, the system 10 has a second return line 33, wherein the second return line 33 connects the meltwater collection tank 34 and the crushing device 15, and wherein meltwater 24 separated by the second water separator 32 and collected in the meltwater collection tank 34 is returned to the crushing device 15 by means of the second return line 33 and returned from the crushing device 15 to the plate ice generator 12 by means of the first return line 31.

[0054] The snowmaking system according to the invention (not shown in the figures) comprises the in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 The illustrated plant 10 according to the invention for the production of ice 11c. The inventive method for the production of ice 11c for the snowmaking system can be carried out with the plant 10 described above.

[0055] According to the inventive method, in step a) block ice 11a is first produced on the ice-producing plates 13 of the block ice plant 12. Subsequently, in step b) the block ice 11a is crushed into block ice fragments 11b by means of the crushing device 15, wherein the block ice 11a, which detaches from the ice-producing plates 13 due to its own weight, is fed through the opening 14 of the block ice producer 12 into the crushing device 15 and breaks into block ice fragments 11b at the crushing devices 15 of the crushing device 16.

[0056] The sheet ice fragments 11b are then fed into the buffer ice storage tank 19 and accumulate in the buffer ice storage tank 19 to form a quantity of ice 11c. The ice 11c from the buffer ice storage tank 19 is continuously fed to the conveying device 21 at a constant mass flow rate.

[0057] The ice 11c is fed to the dispensing device 18 by means of the conveying device 21. In a further step c), the ice 11c is dispensed by means of the dispensing device 18, whereby the ice 11c dispensed at the dispensing device 18 is transported to a location to be covered with snow by means of compressed air generated by the pneumatic conveying device 37. Reference symbol list

[0058] 10 Plant 11a Plate ice 11b Plate ice fragment 11c Ice 12 Plate ice generator 13 Ice production plates 14 Opening 15 Crushing device 16 Breaking device 17 Opening 18 Dispensing device 19 Buffer ice storage 20 Opening 21 Conveyor device 22 Edge 23 Conveyor section 24 Water 25 End section 26 Screw conveyor 27 Motor 28 Opening 29 Middle section 30 First water separator 31 First return line 32 Second water separator 33 Second return line 34 Meltwater collection tank 35 Displacement plate 36 Edge 37 Pneumatic conveying device H Horizontal V Vertical F Conveying direction

Claims

1. Plant (10) for producing ice (11c), comprising at least one plate ice generator (12) with one or more ice-generating plates (13) for generating plate ice (11a), wherein the plate ice generator (12) has at least one opening (14) at its vertically lower end, at least one dispensing device (18) for dispensing the ice (11c) from the plant (10), at least one crushing device (15) for crushing the plate ice (11a) into plate ice fragments (11b) with one or more breaking devices (16), wherein the crushing device (15) is arranged vertically below the plate ice generator (12) so that plate ice (11a), which detaches from the ice-making plates (13) due to its own weight, falls through the opening (14) of the plate ice maker (12) into the crushing device (15) and breaks into plate ice fragments (11b) at the breaking device(s) (16) of the crushing device (15), wherein the crushing device (15) has at least one opening (17) at its vertically lower end, wherein the plant (10) comprises at least one buffer ice storage (19), wherein the buffer ice storage is provided for accumulating the plate ice fragments (11b) into a quantity of ice (11c), wherein the buffer ice storage (19) is arranged vertically below the crushing device (15) so that the plate ice fragments (11b) fall or can fall from the crushing device (15) into the buffer ice storage (19), wherein the buffer ice storage (19) has at least one opening (20) at its vertically lower end, from which the ice (11c) is or can be discharged, characterised in that the buffer ice storage (19) is designed to be hyperboloid, double-cone or double-pyramid shaped.

2. Plant according to claim 1, characterised in that the plant (10) comprises a conveyor device (21) for conveying the ice (11c) from the buffer ice storage (19) to the dispensing device (18), wherein at least one section of the conveyor device (21) is arranged vertically below the buffer ice storage (19).

3. Plant according to claim 2, characterised in that the conveyor device (21) comprises a screw conveyor (26).

4. Plant according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the conveyor device (21) has a conveyor section (23) with a conveyor direction (F) towards the dispensing device (18), wherein the conveyor section (23) and / or the conveyor direction (F) have an inclination in relation to a horizontal plane (H), wherein the conveyor section (23) is arranged lower in relation to the horizontal (H) in the area of the opening (20) of the buffer ice storage (19) and higher in the area of the dispensing device (18).

5. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plate ice generator (12) is or comprises a compression refrigeration system.

6. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the crushing device (15) is a static and / or motionless crushing device (15), and / or each breaking device (16) of the crushing device (15) has an edge (22) or tip, wherein the edge (22) or tip is oriented vertically upwards so that plate ice (11a) falling from the plate ice generator (12) into the crushing device (15) and onto the edges (22) or points of the breaking devices (16) breaks on the edges (22) or points.

7. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dispensing device (18) is or comprises a rotary valve.

8. Plant according to claim 2, characterised in that the plant (10) comprises a displacement plate (35), wherein the displacement plate (35) is provided for directing the ice (11c) out of the buffer ice storage (19) and / or the ice (11c) onto or into the conveyor device (21).

9. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plant (10) comprises a pneumatic conveyor device (37), wherein the pneumatic conveyor device (37) is connected to the dispensing device (18) in such a way that the pneumatic conveyor device (37) transports ice (11c) dispensed at the dispensing device (18) by means of compressed air.

10. Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plant (10) is a mobile plant, wherein the plant (10) is designed to be transportable, and / or the plant (10) is designed as a container and / or in container construction, or the plant (10) is arranged in a container.

11. Snowmaking facility comprising at least one plant (10) for producing ice, characterised in that the plant (10) for producing ice is a plant (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Method for producing ice (11c) with a plant (10), comprising at least one plate ice generator (12) with one or more ice-generating plates (13) for generating plate ice (11a), wherein the ice generator (13) has at least one opening (14) at its vertically lower end, at least one dispensing device (18) for dispensing the ice (11c) from the plant (10), at least one crushing device (15) for crushing the plate ice (11b) into plate ice fragments (11b) with one or more breaking devices (16), wherein the crushing device (15) is arranged vertically below the ice generator (12), wherein the crushing device (15) has at least one opening (17) at its vertically lower end, wherein the plant (10) comprises at least one buffer ice storage (19), wherein the plate ice fragments (11b) are collected by means of the buffer ice storage (19) to form a quantity of ice (11c), wherein the buffer ice storage (19) is arranged vertically below the crushing device (16), wherein the buffer ice storage (19) has at least one opening (20) at its vertically lower end, wherein the buffer ice storage (19) is designed to be hyperboloid or double-cone or double-pyramid shaped, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) producing plate ice (11a) on the ice-making plates (13) of the slab ice plant (12), b) crushing the plate ice (11a) into plate ice fragments (11b) by means of the crushing device (15), wherein the plate ice (11a), which detaches from the ice-generating plates (13) due to its own weight, is fed through the opening (14) of the plate ice generator (12) into the crushing device (15) and is broken into plate ice fragments (11b) at the breaking device(s) of the crushing device (15), whereby the plate ice fragments (11b) are fed to the buffer ice storage (19) after being crushed in the crushing device (16) and / or are accumulated in the buffer ice storage (19) to form a quantity of ice (11c), c) dispensing the ice (11c) by means of a dispensing device (18).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the plate ice fragments (11b) fed to the buffer ice storage (19) and / or accumulated in the buffer ice storage (19) are discharged continuously and / or at a constant mass flow rate as ice (11c) from the buffer ice storage (19).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the system (10) comprises a conveyor device (21), wherein at least one section of the conveyor device (21) is arranged vertically below the buffer ice storage (19), wherein the ice (11c) is fed from the buffer ice storage (19) to the conveyor device (21) and by means of the conveyor device (21) to the dispensing device (18).

15. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the plant (10) comprises a pneumatic conveyor device (37), wherein the pneumatic conveyor device (37) is connected to the dispensing device (18), wherein ice (11c) dispensed at the dispensing device (18) is transported by means of compressed air generated by the pneumatic conveyor device (37).

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