REFURBISHMENT OF A 290L ICE-BLOCK MAKING MACHINE
Abstract
The demand for ice blocks as a means of food preservation and commercial sales has continued to increase, especially in regions with high ambient temperatures and unstable power supply. This project focused on the design, fabrication, and performance evaluation of an improved 290-litres ice block making machine with a total capacity of 290-litres of water per batch. The system utilizes a 1horsepower (1HP) hermetic compressor, galvanized brine tank, copper tubing evaporator, and reinforced frame, with the aim of improving efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Performance tests showed that the machine successfully converted 290-litres of water into solid ice within an average of 24 hours, with the cooling profile exhibiting three distinct phases: rapid sensible cooling from 30 °C to near 0 °C, a prolonged latent heat plateau around 0°C during freezing, and a final sub-cooling stage to about −3 °C by the 24th hour. The results indicate that the machine is suitable for small-scale and domestic applications where daily production is sufficient, although a higher compressor capacity (2–3 HP) would be required for faster cycles and large-scale commercial operations.
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