Method and system for producing clear ice

Abstract

A method for making clear ice comprising: filling a water sump to a predetermined level; contacting a refrigerant to an evaporator; circulating water from the sump over the evaporator to form ice on the evaporator; monitoring the water level in the sump; and monitoring the conductivity of the water in the sump to determine if the conductivity of the water is equal to or greater than a predetermined conductivity valve, (i) if the conductivity is not equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower water level, then complete the ice making cycle and initiate the harvest cycle; or (ii) if the conductivity is equal to or greater than the predetermined conductivity valve and if the water level has not reached a predetermined lower water level, then add additional water to the water sump.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 370,422, filed on Aug. 3, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]The present disclosure generally relates to a method and system for producing clear ice by monitoring the conductivity of water (e.g., Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)) in an ice machine and adding additional water when conductivity exceeds a predetermined level, thereby reducing the TDS level of the water and enabling the formation of clear ice. In particular, the present disclosure provides for the formation of clear or clearer ice by monitoring or detecting the conductivity of water to ensure that the TDS level of the water is maintained below a predetermined level during the freeze cycle by the addition of fresh water from the water source.[0004]2. Discussion of the Background Art[0005]It is know in the ice making industry that excessive TDS concentrations in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a method for making clear ice by circulating water over an evaporator and monitoring the water level and conductivity in a sump. The system includes a controller that determines if the conductivity is equal to or greater than a predetermined valve, and if the water level reaches a predetermined lower level, initiates the ice making cycle and harvest cycle. The system also includes a water level probe that measures the conductivity of the water by measuring the conductivity difference between three probes. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a more efficient and effective method for producing clear ice by controlling the water level and conductivity in the sump."

Problems solved by technology

Unacceptably large concentrations of TDS interfere with machine operation while in solution, and form deposits of unwanted scale when the water changes phase.

Scaling in ice makers can also result in increased level of difficulty in harvesting ice cubes, as they will often become stuck to the evaporator plate, and eventually may damage the evaporator plate.

Furthermore, as TDS builds up in an icemaker, the pH of the water also increases, which decreases the ability of minerals to stay in solution.

Although filtration is effective in substantially reducing suspended particles, the ionic particles in solution in the water are not significantly reduced.

However, users of such equipment have still been forced to dump excessive amounts of chilled water from their units.

Another drawback of conventional ice making equipment is that the rate of scale buildup varies with the varying TDS concentration in different types of water sources, the level of water treatment, and the geographic region.

The problem with periodically flushing the water lines and water in the sump is that it costs additional money in terms of sewage disposal and new filtered water.

Unfortunately, this is still wasteful, results in cloudy ice and not ecologically desirable.

However, as the ice begins to form, the present inventors have discovered that the TDS level in the sump increases and may exceed the predetermined TDS level and, thus, causes the formation of cloudy ice.

This reduces the amount of water used and also produces consistently clear ice during each freeze / harvest cycle, which is not possible using the monitoring and discharge systems disclosed in the prior art.

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