ABSTRACT
The automated ice making system consists of three main compornents: a water discharge system, an air distrubution system and an ice container.HomePage
One of the compornants of the water discharge system is a discharge apparatus called the Fountain Unit. The Fountain Unit is one of the simplest time-temperature integrators available, and serves to control the volume of water discharged per hour in proportion to the ambient air temperature. Low temperature outdoor air is blown onto the ice surface using a fan and ducts.
The ice container, which is located directly below the Fountain Unit and spraying nozzles, is simply enough strength to support a thin layer of water on the ice block surface.
In order to make a clear ice block, the volume of water released should be controlled so that only a few millimeters of ice are created during any single discharge interval.
In practice, a water temperature setting in the Fountain Unit of 2 centigrade was found to be satisfactry. The air volume should be adjusted so that the Freezing Index is 150 deg.min.mm-1. This system can be used to create a block of ice are ideally suited for the storage of agricultural products because they can provide both low temperatures and high humidity. The ice block created in this study was used to storage vegetables without significant deterioration in quality for 2.5 months.Keywords: ice making, natural energy, vegetable storage, time-temperature integrator, Fountain Unit