Industrial Block Ice Machine + Price of Block Ice Machine

Block ice machines are a type of industrial ice machine that, due to their features and characteristics, have been recognized as one of the most widely used refrigeration systems in various industries. One of the common problems in the food industry is the product health during the production process and  the proper way to store them. Some food products are highly perishable and if not stored correctly can cause immense financial damage.

Since ancient times, one of the best methods of food preservation has been “freezing food”. Freezing food reduces bacterial and fungal activity, so food spoilage rarely occurs. Another factor that leads to better and healthier food preservation is the use of various types of ice during the production or transportation process of food products.

Today, various refrigeration equipment and systems are used in the food and other industries, and block ice machines are one of the most widely used refrigeration systems. In the following, we will provide comprehensive explanations about this industrial ice machine. You can also contact our experts for more information and price inquiries.

What is a Block Ice Machine?

Ice machines are devices that use a refrigeration system, including a compressor, a condenser, special mechanical and electrical controls, and other components to convert water into ice. A block ice machine does the same thing, the only difference of a block ice machine from other ice machines is the appearance of the ice produced by the device. All ice produced by this machine is produced in block shapes and equal dimensions. These ice machines are produced in two fixed and mobile models.

Types of Block Ice Machines

As mentioned, ice machines are divided into different categories based on their volume, power, and capacity. In this article, we will explain 5 models of block ice machines produced by Farasard.

Type M

The smallest block ice machine capable of creating 5kg blocks in 5 working shifts. This type of ice machine is designed and manufactured with a capacity of 16, 24, 32, 48, or 72.

Type L

This type of ice machine is a mobile ice machine. The ice blocks produced by this device are 8kg and are used in many industries due to their small size and dimensions. This type of ice machine is designed and manufactured with 4 or 6 shifts and a capacity of 20, 25, 38, 57, 80, 125, or 160.

Type A

This type of ice machine is also a mobile ice machine with different capacities. The ice blocks produced by this device are 12.5kg and are used in many industries due to their small size and dimensions. This type of ice machine is designed and manufactured in 2 or 3 shifts and comes with a capacity of 16, 24, 32, 48, or 67.

Type B

This type of ice machine, like the previous model, is mobile and you can easily move it. The weight of each ice block in this model is 15kg and they are produced with capacities of 20, 28, 60, 84, or 89. Due to the size and weight of the ice blocks, they have many industrial applications. The ice blocks can be unloaded from this ice machine two to three times a day, depending on the design and customer needs. Note that the unloading process in types A and B is manual.

Type C

This type of block ice machine is different from the previous two models. Due to its high capacity, other accessories are used in its design. Type C ice machine has very high capacities, ranging from 50 to 400 blocks.

Due to the large number of blocks, these ice machines have a crane, an automatic filler, a hot water tank, a discharge table, etc. To speed up the filling and removal of ice from the molds, mechanical devices and equipment are used instead of manpower. Ice blocks produced by the Type C ice machine weigh 25kg and the total production capacity of these devices reaches 2500 to 30000kg per day.

This device can be easily transported and you can install the prefabricated parts of this ice machine and set up the device in one to two days; This device can be installed and operated anywhere (requires three-phase electricity or generator), especially in tropical areas.

Components of a Block Ice Machine

Industrial block ice machines, due to their speed and better performance compared to ordinary ice machines, have a complex internal structure and different internal components. An industrial block ice machine, like any other ice machine, has similar components such as a condenser, electrical panel, operator, and compressor, which are responsible for creating cold and producing ice. Due to the production of ice blocks, this device has other components as well, some of which are explained below.

• Hot water tank: In a block ice machine, a hot water tank is used to separate the ice from the mold (a process called defrosting), so that after removing the ice, the molds are placed directly in the hot water tank so that the ice can be removed from the molds as quickly as possible.
• Molds: Molds are used for the water tank and to shape the ice. Molds usually have different capacities and sizes. Molds, vats, body covers, and complementary components can all be made of two types of materials: galvanized and stainless steel. However, for food use, stainless steel molds must be used, as the Ministry of Health has only authorized the use of stainless steel molds in the food industry.
• Agitator: This device is used to circulate the water inside the ice machine tank.

So far, all the equipment in types M, L, A, B, and C is the same. However, due to the large volume and size of the ice blocks produced by type C ice machines, this model has the following equipment:

• Crane: A crane is used to lift the molds and unload the ice from the molds.
• Automatic water filler: Due to the large number of molds, filling them with manually is time and energy-consuming. Therefore, a water filling machine is used to facilitate this task.
• Discharge table: After the ice is removed from the mold, the ice is placed on the discharge table.

Stages of Ice Production in an Ice Factory

All block ice machines generally have a similar working method, and ice production by them is carried out in the following steps:

• Filling the Molds: If the ice is for food consumption, the molds must be filled with drinking water. However, if they are for industrial and non-food use, the use of non-drinking water is permitted.
• Entering the Molds into the Brine Tank: The ice molds are placed in a brine tank.
• Ice Formation Process: The brine in the tank is circulated by the agitator, passes through the evaporator coils of the refrigeration system, and enters the tank after cooling. The brine solution absorbs heat from the water in the molds and its temperature increases. Then, by passing through the evaporator, it loses heat and cools down again to keep the temperature of the brine in the tank at about 10 degrees Celsius below zero. Therefore, brine acts as a secondary or intermediate refrigerant in this system. The salt in the water acts as an impurity, causing the freezing point of the solution to decrease.
• Removing the Molds from the Brine Tank: After the water inside them is completely frozen, the ice molds are transferred out of the tank for emptying.
• Placing the Molds in a Hot Water Tank: For the ice to be easily removed from the mold, the molds are not made in a completely cubic shape, and their side walls are angled, so that the cross-section at the end of the mold is slightly smaller than the cross-section at the beginning. However, for easier and faster removal of the ice from the mold, the molds are first placed in a hot water tank for a short time. This causes the surface of the ice walls to melt and thus separate them from the body of the molds.
• Emptying the Molds: Finally, the molds are rotated and the ice blocks are easily removed from them.

The components and operation process of the refrigeration system of the block ice machine are shown in the following schematics:

Applications of Block Ice Machines in Various Industries

Ice is used in many industries, which is why the use of block ice machines has also increased significantly. Below are some of the applications of this device.

• Ice molds and ice machines (in crushed form) are used in the fishing and fish sales sector.
• Block ice machines are also used in the production and preservation of meat products such as sausages and salami.
• Block ice machines are widely used in construction such as concrete plants.
• Block ice machines can be used to transport perishable food such as chicken, meat, fish, etc.
• Block ice machines are used in slaughterhouses and the product packaging sector for proper storage.
• This versatile device is used in other industries such as dam construction, fishing, paint, and resin.
• Block ice machines are used in ice factories to produce block ice for sale.
• Block ice machines are used in the Arbaeen procession to keep food cool during the processions and to provide cold drinking water for pilgrims.

Specifications of Farasard Ice Machines

Farasard ice machines are designed optimally and are made of high-quality equipment, parts, and materials. Each device comes with a one-year warranty and 10 years of after-sales services.

In addition, it is possible to customize the dimensions of the ice mold, the material of the mold,  the vat, and the body of the device according to the customers’ needs (stainless or galvanized steel). Also, if necessary, the construction of an ice storage tank for temporary storage of the produced ice will also be done by Farasard.

Conclusion

Block ice machines are known as one of the most widely used refrigeration equipment and play an important role in the country’s vital industries. Farasard is one of the reputable companies in the field of manufacturing refrigeration equipment, which has been operating in this field for more than 30 years. You can purchase the block ice machine you need from Farasard and use it for a long time with confidence in the quality of the device. To get more information about technical specs and how to buy, you can contact our experienced experts at Farasard.