Clear Ice industrial generation issues

In summary, the engineers from Spain are facing a problem with their new ice generator where the ice is cracking during the freezing process. They are unsure if the issue is with the freezing or defrosting process and believe it may be due to temperature stress. They have observed that the ice is being frozen symmetrically, resulting in a highly compressed core which leads to cracks. The solution suggested is to reduce the thickness of the cooling die to prevent the formation of a stressed core, although this may decrease the ice output rate.
  • #1
ddice
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TL;DR Summary
Problems generating industrial clear Ice tube. The ice is cracking and we don't know why.
Summary: Problems generating industrial clear Ice tube. The ice is cracking and we don't know why.

Summary: Problems generating industrial clear Ice tube. The ice is cracking and we don't know why.

Hi all!

I'm an engineer from Spain and I'm working in a new project (factory ice).

We have developed a new ice generator but we need our knowledge to solve one problem we have.

Our ice is cracked and we are looking for "perfect Cristal ice" so we have to make ice without cracking.

We are thinking about the cracking could be taking place in two different processes:
1- During ice generation process (freezing water process)
2- During defrost process (when we defrost the tube to unmold the ice, before cut it)

We generate the ice at -10 Celsius and we unmold the ice about 4, 10 Celsius.

One of our theories is that the temperature stress is too high and the ice crack.

Any expert here could help us?

Thanks in advance.

I attach some pictures when you can see it.
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  • #2
This is definitely a stress problem.
The problem is what you are trying to freeze the ice symmetrically from sides. This method results in highly compressed core of ice tube (visible on last photos) which tends to produce cracks when ice weaken after release. Therefore both (1) and (2) is correct. The ice making machines i seen in Japan usually release stresses by forming ice between set of metal plates, odd ones are kept at 0C and even ones are strongly cooled.
To fix to the problem, you should likely reduce thickness of cooling die, which will introduce enough asymmetry to prevent stressed core formation. It will also reduce ice output rate though.
 
  • Informative
Likes DrClaude

1. What is clear ice and why is it important?

Clear ice is a type of ice that is completely transparent and free of impurities. It is important because it is aesthetically pleasing and also has a higher density, making it ideal for use in drinks and cocktails.

2. What are the main challenges in generating clear ice on an industrial scale?

The main challenges in generating clear ice on an industrial scale include controlling the freezing process, removing impurities, and preventing air bubbles from forming. It also requires specialized equipment and techniques to achieve the desired clarity.

3. How does the freezing process affect the clarity of ice?

The freezing process is crucial in producing clear ice. Slow and controlled freezing allows impurities and air bubbles to be pushed to the bottom of the ice, resulting in a clear top layer. Rapid freezing, on the other hand, traps impurities and air bubbles within the ice, resulting in a cloudy appearance.

4. What methods are commonly used to produce clear ice on an industrial scale?

There are several methods used to produce clear ice on an industrial scale, including directional freezing, high pressure freezing, and vacuum freezing. These methods all involve controlling the freezing process to produce clear ice.

5. Are there any health concerns associated with consuming clear ice?

No, there are no known health concerns associated with consuming clear ice. In fact, it is often considered to be safer than regular ice as the slow freezing process can help remove impurities and bacteria. However, it is important to ensure that the water used to make the clear ice is clean and safe for consumption.

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