Zhileng xuebao (Jan 2025)
Simulation and Optimization of Refrigerant Side of Ice Mold Evaporator in Direct Cooling Ice Maker
Abstract
There has been limited quantitative research on the industrial application of direct cooling ice makers, resulting in lack of clarity in control mechanisms, and inadequate heat transfer capability and uniformity in ice making. A mathematical model focusing on the refrigerant side of the ice mold evaporator was established, and MATLAB simulation was used to analyze the changes of heat transfer and flow parameters with the flow process and ice making time, with comparisons drawn between experimental data and simulated outcomes. The results showed that the heat transfer rate before water icing is about 30% higher than that after water icing, and the refrigerant flow rate is obviously different. The unit heat transfer after overheating decreases by 40.9% compared to before overheating, reducing the overheating section can significantly enhance the heat transfer and improve the uniformity. The thermal resistance of water side and ice side accounted for 93.4% and 91.7% of the total respectively, and the heat transfer of water side or ice side should be improved first in the optimization of heat transfer. The simulation program can predict the change of flow rate and simulate the overheating section, which provides theoretical basis and practical guidance for the design and operation control of ice making machine, and helps to improve the product performance and accelerate the ice making process.
