Avalanche^® Ice Harvester System

• Avalanche Ice Harvester Evaporator
• Compressor/Condenser Unit
• Ice Storage Tank

Process Description

• The Mueller Avalanche system is a dynamic ice-harvesting product that separates ice production from storage.
• Ice is built on patented Mueller Temp-Plate^® evaporator plates that are positioned above the water/ice storage tank.
• Water is pumped to the top of the Avalanche evaporator and flows freely on the external surface of the evaporator plates.
• Refrigerant is pumped to the internal surface of the evaporator plates, building uniformly thick ice on external surface of the evaporator plates.
• As ice reaches a thickness of 5/16 in.(8mm), it is released into the tank for storage. This is accomplished by applying hot gas refrigerant to the internal surface of the evaporator plates. The condensing hot gas refrigerant releases the ice sheet from the evaporator.
• Ice falls into the storage tank and breaks into small pieces. Water from the load is circulated through the stored ice and gets cooled.

Advantages of the Avalanche Ice Harvester System

Flexibility
Certain applications contaminate the ice making it difficult to clean the solution before it is recycled back to the ice generator. The Avalanche system does not use a freeze depressant solution and is ideal for such applications.

Adding Avalanche Ice Harvesters could provide cooling for applications that already have existing ice harvesters and need additional cooling capacity.

Reduced Energy Costs
The Avalanche Ice Harvester/Chiller can significantly reduce air conditioning costs by reducing the demand charges and taking advantage of favorable off-peak energy rates.

Reduced Space Requirements
Ice-based energy storage systems require only one-fourth the storage space of water-based systems.

Ice is not stored on the ice-making surface, therefore, it is not necessary to melt the complete ice inventory everyday to maintain high operating efficiency.

High Operating Efficiency
Because ice thickness is 5/16 in.(8mm), refrigerant suction temperature remains high which improves the operating efficiency of the compressor.

Daily Cycle/Weekly Cycle
Because ice is not stored on the ice building surface, the Avalanche can build ice during all off-peak hours, which might include the weekend.

Full Storage/Partial Storage
The Avalanche is also a highly efficient, low temperature water chiller. It is particularly well suited for partial storage load leveling applications.

Lower Initial Investment
Because the Avalanche ice-based system can provide chilled water as cold as 34°F (1.1°C), it is possible to obtain considerable savings in the design of the air-side equipment.