Nugget Ice Maker Water Flow Reversal for Scale Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial ice makers face significant issues with scale buildup due to high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the freezing chamber, leading to operational inefficiencies and frequent downtime, as conventional water treatments are ineffective in managing the chemistry changes within the machine.
Innovation Solution
Inlet water is supplied to the freezing chamber via the discharge end of the auger, flowing along the auger and into a larger water reservoir, opposite the ice discharge end, to dilute high TDS water and reduce scale buildup by continuously or pulsedly flushing out dissolved minerals during ice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional water treatments are used to manage TDS levels, then ice production continues, but scale buildup increases on working surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional water flow direction by introducing fresh water at the discharge end of the auger (where TDS is highest) rather than at the water inlet end. This inversion allows fresh water to counteract scale formation at the most critical location first, then flow toward the water reservoir, effectively preventing scale buildup on working surfaces while maintaining continuous ice production
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own operational water flow to achieve flushing and scale prevention. By redirecting the existing water circulation to flow from the discharge end through the freezing chamber back to the reservoir, the system self-flushes high TDS water during normal operation without requiring external flushing mechanisms or stopping ice production
2Reliability
If the ice making process is interrupted to drain and flush the sump, then TDS levels are reduced, but operational downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous ice production while simultaneously performing the flushing function. By introducing fresh water at the discharge end during active ice making, the system continuously dilutes and removes high TDS water through the freezing chamber and back to the reservoir, eliminating the need to interrupt operation for flushing while maintaining TDS control
Solution Approach 2:
Fresh water is introduced at the discharge end before high TDS water can accumulate to scale-forming levels. This preliminary action of counteracting TDS buildup at its source prevents the need for subsequent draining and flushing operations that would cause operational downtime
3Productivity
If water volume in the sump is kept small to maintain freezing efficiency, then ice production improves, but TDS concentration increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts high TDS water from the freezing chamber by introducing fresh water at the discharge end, which pushes the concentrated TDS water toward the water reservoir. This continuous extraction and removal of high TDS water allows the sump to maintain a small volume for freezing efficiency while preventing TDS accumulation through active removal
4Quantity of substance
If fresh water is introduced at the water inlet end, then the freezing chamber is replenished, but high TDS water remains at the discharge end
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing fresh water at the conventional water inlet end, the patent inverts the approach by introducing fresh water at the discharge end where TDS concentration is highest. This causes fresh water to mix with and push high TDS water toward the reservoir, simultaneously replenishing the freezing chamber and removing harmful TDS accumulation in one action
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
This approach minimizes scale growth on working surfaces, reduces the need for frequent cleaning and pre-treatment, maintains continuous operation, and improves ice quality by maintaining lower TDS levels, thereby extending the operational intervals and reducing nugget degradation.
Implementation Method 1
Inlet water is supplied to the freezing chamber via the discharge end of the auger, flowing along the auger and into a larger water reservoir, opposite the ice discharge end, to dilute high TDS water and reduce scale buildup
Implementation Method 2
a refrigeration system provides a refrigerant to a freezing chamber of the hollow cylinder type, in which water is frozen on a cylindrical inner wall of the freezing chamber
Implementation Method 3
a refrigeration system provides a refrigerant to a freezing chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An ice making apparatus is provided for making ice of the nugget-forming type from ice shavings that are compacted, wherein inlet water is provided to a freezing chamber having a rotatable auger therein, for flow of the inlet water and water squeezed from ice leaving the freezing chamber at the discharge end thereof along the auger, for flow of water through the freezing chamber, to a water reservoir at an opposite end of the freezing chamber, whereby ice flow through the freezing chamber is in one direction, and water flow through the freezing chamber is in an opposite direction. Dissolved minerals are thereby substantially removed from the ice being discharged from the freezing chamber, and are conveyed from a zone of lesser water volume to a zone of higher water volume where they are more substantially dispersed. Water is flushed from the freezing chamber, by dispensing water containing dissolved minerals from a reservoir of greater volume than the volume of water at the water inlet end of the freezing chamber.