Freezing ice on round or flat pipe surfaces is a common challenge in refrigeration systems, including ice heat storage tanks for air conditioning systems, ice molds for tree ice machines, flake ice machines, cube ice machines, and so on. As a result, calculating and establishing the relationship between the thickness of the created rock layer and the freezing time is critical for properly arranging the heat exchange tubes, defining the size of the heat exchanger tubes, and selecting an acceptable stone mold size. This data also assists designers in selecting the right ice layer thickness for cutting in block and flake ice machines, as choosing an excessive thickness reduces ice output productivity dramatically.
This article demonstrated the simulation of the ice freezing process on the surfaces of pipes and flat surfaces, as well as the defrosting process on those surfaces. The results show that, after a freezing time of about 10 hours, the thickness of the ice layer formed on cylindrical surfaces and on flat surfaces is about 50 mm and 80mm, respectively. The flat surfaces make better ice. The simulation results are the basis for designers to properly arrange heat exchanger tubes when freezing and defrosting. The results also help engineers have a basis for choosing the freezing time to operate the refrigeration system safely, avoiding liquid flooding at the end of the operation process. These results can be applied in ice production or in ice storage for air conditioning.
Keyword: cold storage systems, defrosting processes, simulation
