Segmented Ice Maker Evaporator for Glide Refrigerant Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ice making devices fail to fully utilize the heat absorption capacity of multi-component high temperature glide refrigerants and are not well suited for flooded evaporators, leading to inefficiencies in ice production.
Innovation Solution
An ice making device with a hollow cylindrical body and an outer shell featuring a series of passages for refrigerant, designed to create turbulence and localized pressure drops, allowing for efficient heat transfer and utilization of multi-component refrigerants, including those with a glide of at least 4° F, using a vapor compression refrigeration system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional evaporator designs are used with multi-component high temperature glide refrigerants, then the refrigerant can be utilized, but the heat absorption capacity is not fully utilized and heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is segmented into multiple passages with different flow path lengths, allowing the multi-component refrigerant to undergo fractionation and utilize its temperature glide more effectively. This segmentation enables different refrigerant components to absorb heat at optimal temperatures along the flow path, fully utilizing the heat absorption capacity while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the evaporator by creating passages with varying cross-sectional areas and flow path lengths. This allows the refrigerant flow characteristics to change along the passage, optimizing heat transfer at different locations and fully utilizing the temperature glide of multi-component refrigerants.
2Ease of operation
If flooded evaporators are used with multi-component refrigerants, then the evaporator can operate, but fractionation of refrigerant components occurs and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator is divided into multiple separate passages that guide the refrigerant flow in a controlled manner. This segmentation prevents random fractionation that occurs in flooded evaporators by directing the refrigerant through a structured flow path that manages component separation, allowing the evaporator to operate reliably with multi-component refrigerants.
3Loss of energy
If the outlet of each passage is disposed 180 degrees from the inlet, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple passages are merged into a single outer shell structure, with the inlet and outlet positioned 180 degrees apart. This merging approach achieves the heat transfer efficiency benefits of the 180-degree configuration while consolidating the passage structure into a unified design, reducing overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each passage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves increased heat transfer efficiency, producing ice at a lower temperature that stays frozen longer, thereby enhancing ice making capacity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A refrigerant is provided to the drum and is in thermal contact with the one or more surfaces. As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the water, the water will freeze on the surfaces forming an ice film.
Implementation Method 2
As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the water, the water will freeze on the surfaces forming an ice film.
Implementation Method 3
An ice making device with a hollow cylindrical body and an outer shell featuring a series of passages for refrigerant, designed to create turbulence and localized pressure drops, allowing for efficient heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making device and a method of making ice. A plurality of passages for refrigerant, preferably, multi-component refrigerant, is in thermal communication with a freezing surface, for example in an outer shell surrounding a body. The passages each include an inlet and an outlet. The inlet for a passage may be disposed approximately 180° from the outlet for that passage. The outlet for the passages may form the inlet for the subsequent passage. The size of the outlets may be smaller than a cross-sectional size of the passage. As the refrigerant moves through the passages, water on the freezing surfaces will freeze and form ice. A blade will scrape the ice off.