Smarter, More Efficient Ice Production

FREQUENTLY WE ARE ASKED BY PACKAGED ICE PRODUCERS HOW MUCH ICE a particular ice maker is capable of producing. Our answer is quite often, “what are your goals”. We don’t answer this way to confuse or to mislead people, but we answer in this way to assure that we make the best recommendation. When determining the capacity of an ice making system there are three major determinants: One, the purity of the water used, two, the amount of refrigeration used, and three, the hardness of the ice that is desired. Whereas packaged ice machines are engineered for average water quality and to efficiently produce the maximum amount of ice, high-capacity split-refrigeration systems can be engineered specifically to match each individual application.
Better, more efficient ice production begins with choosing the right brand ice maker. e Vogt® line of Tube-Ice® Makers is the finest within the industry. ese machines are not only the most efficient ice makers available, but the Tube-Ice line is the longest-lasting, lowest maintenance brand of ice machines made. is trusted brand is the starting point for most packaged ice applications. With these proven low-side, ice makers, AIS builds AIS Ice Manufacturing Systems best suited for each individual project. Using as an example the Vogt P34AL-15 lowside ice maker, this unit may be engineered to produce anywhere from 45 tons to 95 tons of ice production per day. In applications involving poor water quality and/or built for future growth, we may engineer a system to produce only 45 tons of initial daily capacity that requires very low electrical demand. Although the same ice maker attached to a large, house refrigeration system that demands large amounts of ice, without worry to quality or hardness, may approach 100 tons of daily production. Reverse osmosis water treatment can allow for greater capacity systems utilizing a higher horsepower refrigeration system, but the more horsepower, the more electrical cost per ton of ice. Not to mention a much greater water requirement. With this in mind, AIS takes the time to determine each individual client’s needs and develops a plan to best accomplish our client’s goals. We are not merely interested in selling your company equipment; we want to make sure you get the most from your investment. We want to build successful future clients.
In talking with ice producers throughout the county and world-wide, we have found that many have actually decreased their operating efficiency in the effort to squeeze a few more tons of daily production out of their ice makers. In some of these operations we have added additional ice makers to the existing high-side refrigeration system and increased their daily ice making capacity by up to 30 tons without consuming any more electricity. ink about it, 30 more tons of ice without a higher electric bill. Now that is smarter. So it is not necessarily how much ice can an ice maker make, but how much should an ice maker make. At AIS, we thoroughly review your current and future operational goals, and develop a plan for the smartest way to accomplish these goals. If your company is considering adding ice production, give AIS a chance to review your system application. We would enjoy the opportunity to put our experience and expertise to work for you.