CHAPTER II
PARTS COMMON TO ANY ICE-MAKING SYSTEM
Freezing Tank
Two general types of freezing tanks are made by Frick Company; one designed for domestic shipment and the other for foreign shipment. The domestic tanks are of the con- struction shown in the illustration, the sides and bottom being constructed from the same sheets properly bent at right angle and sufficiently rounded at the corner to permit the sheets being easily riveted together. The ends are flanged to pro- vide the rivet lap. This is a most important point. 'The tanks are well braced by angle iron around the top. The tanks for foreign shipment are built up with flat sheets using angle iron at the corners, being so designed that all parts can be packed flat for ocean shipment, thus reducing the space required to a minimum. The raceways of all tanks are properly proportioned to insure free brine passage and keep friction as low as possible.
The steel tank sheets are punched for the rivets at the factory, and are so marked that when the instructions sent with each tank are followed the erecting engineer can assemble the tank correctly and with a minimum amount of labor. The primary requisite of a freezing tank is that it
shall be absolutely water tight and that the possibility of leaks developing be minimized. This condition is satisfacto- rily met in Frick tanks by making all joints metal to metal and caulking the seams. The use of paper or other kinds of fillers sometimes used for this purpose, and always liable to deterioration, is never tolerated in Frick tanks.
All parts are given a complete covering of water-proof paint before shipment.
Evaporating Coils
Frick standard freezing tank coils are of 114" selected ammonia pipe and made continuous by the electrical welding process in lengths up to approximately forty feet. Longer coils are made in two sections joined in the center by stand- ard four-bolt ammonia flanges. ‘The only other thread and gasket joints are those where these coils are joined to the ammonia feed and return headers; standard four-bolt am- monia flanges are also used for making these connections. The headers are of liberal size and threader joints are almost entirely avoided by using the well tried oxy-acetylene welded construction.
Great care is taken in the electric welding of the coils. The metal at the weld is made thicker than the pipe by upset-
Erection of Tank Coils 16
Tank Coils in Position
ting the pipe ends when the weld is made, care being taken not to reduce the internal sectional area at the weld beyond that of the pipe. The finished coils are tested with air at 300 pounds pressure under water. This type of coil construction is one of the greatest advances made in the refrigerating in- dustry during the past ten years and it greatly reduces the possibility of leaks with a material reduction of erecting labor also.
In order to prevent the coils from becoming damaged in shipment they are carefully crated or braced with wooden stringers.
Submerged Brine Coolers
For customers preferring brine cooler to evaporating coils, Frick Company has designed and built a line of sub- stantial oxy-acetylene welded shell and tube brine coolers. These coolers are of the very best material and construction throughout, the tubes being standard 2" charcoal iron tubes, the shells all made from one sheet of flange steel with only one welded seam and the heads made of 34" thick flange steel. The tubes are expanded into the heavy tube heads.
The freezing tanks for use in connection with these
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Shell and Tube Brine Cooler
coolers, particula the bulkheads and partitions, supports for the tank framework and can holders, have all been care- fully worked out and proven satisfactory. All of these de- tails can of course be made in numerous grades and types, but Frick Company has spared no expense to make them the best, for while appearing unimportant they play an impor- tant part as to convenience and durability.
Frick Flooded Freezing System
Practically all ice plants built by Frick Company within the past twelve years have been equipped with the Frick Improved Flooded System. This em possesses special virtues from the fact that with it the freezing tank coils are operated partially full of liquid ammonia. This flooded system, while working on a different principle has proven a success far beyond that originally claimed for it, and it is now the most efficient and economical system for the manu- facture of ice. In it the ammonia is caused to circulate by natural causes.
The advantage of the flooded system over the old dry gas system is found in the fact that the heat absorbing surface of the pipe coils will transmit a far greater number of heat units between the warmer and cooler mediums with a liquid on
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both sides of the pipe than with a gas on one side and a liquid on the other. In other words, the coil surfaces, when operated with a liquid on the inside and another liquid on the outside, are about 50% more efficient than when operated with gas on the inside and liquid on the outside.
A typical installation of the Frick Flooded System is illustrated below. 'The principal feature of this system con- sists in the use of such apparatus as will successfully separate the ammonia liquid from the ammonia gas returning from the freezing tank coils. Both come over from the coils toward the compressor in more or less intimate states and quantities, and it is essential to the successful operation of the system that the liquid and gas be separated.
As will be seen from the diagram, the suction line from the tank coils rises through a specially constructed trap, wherein this separation of the liquid from the gas is effected. This trap or accumulator is of sufficient size and depth to permit the liquid to drop to the bottom, while the gas passes off at the top and travels to the machine. The separated liquid is automatically returned to the coils and there is a constantly repeated circulation of the ammonia, thus produc- ing the high efficiency.
Frick Improved Flooded System
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The simplicity and dependability of the Frick Flooded System have made it a standard known the world over. It simplifies plant operation by reducing the number of feed valves to be regulated; it increases plant efficiency by insur- ing uniform operation and giving absolute control over the ammonia; it adds to plant safety by preventing priming accidents; and it lowers first cost by increasing the heat transfer through the evaporating surface, thus reducing the amount of surface required.
Accumulators as made by Frick Company, of sizes up to and including two feet in diameter, are built by welding suit- able dished heads to welded pipe. All connections to the ac- cumulator are likewise welded so that the finished accumu- lator contains no joints. ‘The heads are scarfed and grooved, and the grooves filled with welding iron in order that the weld may be as strong as the pipe. This construction produces the best type of vessel known for the purpose.
The liquid which finds its way to the bottom of the accumulator is carried back by gravity to the freezing tank coils by means of a connection between the bottom of the accumulator and the liquid feed header. The gas, as it is formed, seeks the path of least resistance back to the com- pres: and for this reason it endeavors to pass back through the liquid return line, thus creating the impossible condition of having gas and liquid connections at both ends of the accumulator and only one direction for both toward the machine. In order to overcome this difficulty and insure a fixed direction of flow, Frick Company has applied a special check valve placed in the liquid return line from the bottom of the accumulator to the liquid header. This valve opens whenever the head of the liquid in the pipe and accumulator is sufficient to overcome the action of the
Accumulator
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valve spring. This check valve gives positive and satis- factory service with very little attention. The two stop valves, one on each side of the check valve, are so installed in order to make it easy to remove and clean the check valve should this be necessary on account of scale gathered from inside of pipes, ete.
Brine Agitators
The character of the brine circulation in the freezing tank is of great importance. A positive circulation must be pro- duced to properly provide even temperatures at all points in the tank. If poor agitation exists, the coldest portion of the brine will always be at the bottom of the tank and immedi- ately surrounding the ammonia coils, so that the ice will form quickly in the bottom of the cans, while at the top the freez- ing will be slow. This tardiness is a decided disadvantage and in practice often results in the drawing of the blocks of ice while they contain large unfrozen areas or cups. Poor agitation also causes the ice to crack, due to uneven freezing temperatures.
The question of brine circulation has been the subject of extensive experiments, the results of which have shown that the method which most satisfactorily meets the requirements consists in the use of a propeller agitator.
‘Two types of agitators are manufactured by Frick Com- pany, viz., horizontal and vertical, and they are furnished for belt drive and for direct connection to suitable motors. AI parts used in their construction are liberally designed and will safely carry all reasonable loads met in practice; furthermore, the parts Subject to wear are accessible and interchangeable. The bearings are made of high-grade babbitt and ample provision is made for lubricating them. The propeller blades are of proper pitch to circulate the correct quantity of brine at the speeds stipulated.
The matter of selecting a suitable agitator to meet certain conditions is a question worthy of the most careful consider- ation, as an improper agitator will act as a churn without providing circulation. This churning action generates heat which must be counterbalanced by added duty from the
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Vertical Agitator
evaporating coils. Frick agitators are designed with large diameters and pitch, and will perfectly circulate the brine with a minimum heat loss.
Horizontal Agitator
Freezing Tank Framework
Freezing Tank Framework
The standard tank framework constructed by Frick Company is simple and the most easily erected type known to us. It is made of green wood obtained directly from the mill, then air dried only to a certain point. ‘The use of this lumber insures the framework against serious swelling after it becomes damp from use. All parts of the framework are carefully selected, and are shipped from the factory in such condition as to be very easily erected.
The framework is so designed that it may be built up in the tank or built up on the outside, then set down in the tank. The main stringers are heavy lumber, while the cross pieces between each can are lighter and are toe-nailed to the main stringers. All joints in the main stringers are of the lap and screw type.
All parts are carefully crated and held together by iron straps, so that there is no danger of warping while in ship- ment. Each part is numbered and so packed that by follow- ing the number scheme the erection is made simple.
The framework for all systems is identical with the exception of the notching for the raw water systems. When air agitation is not required the notching is omitted.
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The can covers are made of two layers of 114" lumber laid opposite ways to prevent warping and securely fastened together with large wood screws. Lifting eye bolts or pins of galvanized iron are permanently fastened in the covers. The covers are given a coat of filler paint before shipment.
Frick standard framework and covers are made of best grade heavy selected oak unless otherwise specified at time of ordering.
Ice Cans
The standard size ice cans used by Frick Company are given in the following table:
| Thickness of | Inside Dimensions Material—U. S. Weight of Length | Standard Gauge Cake of Ice ix Overall ] aes Top | Bottom | Length | Sides | Bottom 25 Lbs. 4 x9 | 34x 814) 23 24 No. 18 | No. 18 50 Lbs. 5 xi2 | 44x114| 31 32 No. 16 | No. 16 50 Lbs. 6 x10 | 5Y%x 94) 31 32 No. 16 50 Lbs. 8 x 8 Tex 74| 31 32 No. 16 60 Lbs. | 25 Kilos. } 5 xl4 46x 18%| 31 32 No. 16 100 Lbs. 8 xl6 | 7%4x15%] 31 | se No. 16 200 Lbs. 1114x2214|103gx213g| 31 | 32 No. 16 200 Lbs. 1444x1414 1814x1814) 35 36 No. 16 3800 Lbs. 1114x2214) 101g x21kg) 44 45 No. 16 400 Lbs. 114 x 2244 |10/4x2114| 57 | 58 No. 14
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Hand Hoist
These sizes are in accordance with the standard adopted by the Ice Machinery Builders’ Association of the United States some years ago.
All cans are galvanized throughout, adequately riveted, soldered and guaranteed water tight. The tops of all cans are strengthened by a band over which the sides of the cans are bent. The lifting holes are punched through the band. All ice cans sold by Frick Company are of latest standard design and construction.
Cranes
A suitable hoisting apparatus, traveling on iron rails over each tank, is used for lifting the cans from the tank. These cranes are furnished in several types, namely, hand hoists, pneumatic hoists and electric hoists, and the choice of type will depend on the preference of the customer, as well as the local conditions under which the ice-making plant is to be operated.
Crane for Hand Hoist 25
Pneumatic Can Hoists
Frick crane bridges are equipped with roller bearings, and the wheels are carefully machined to insure easy travel on the rails. When necessary, the cranes are provided with squaring shafts for obtaining the proper alignment of the wheels.
All parts subjected to wear are well lubricated. Cross beams and all parts subjected to strain are liberally pro- portioned and will safely carry all loads met in practice. In the case of pneumatic cranes, the air used for operation is
Crane for Pneumatic Hoist 26
led through suitable rubber hose attached to trolleys in such man- ner that, for all positions of the crane, the hose does not interfere with any of the work in the tank room. The choice of a suitable crane will depend on the power available and the duty required of the crane. There is a Frick crane to meet any condition.
Can Dumps
Frick can dumps are made throughout of iron, wood lining being used only for supporting cans in the cage, and are fur- nished to accommodate one, two, three or more cans. They are furnished with or without sprinkler pipes for thawing the ice from the cans. The dumps are operated by hand, and in order to make this operation easy, they are mounted on trunnions, so that a very
Electric Hoist
Double Can Dump With Pan—Sprinkler Type
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small force is required in dumping. The weights are so dis- tributed that the dump automatically returns to or near its normal position after the ice has been dumped. When equipped with sprinkler pipes, the water supply is auto- matically cut off as soon as the dump returns to its normal position, and is automatically turned on when in a dumping position.
Dip Tanks
Dip tanks for thawing the ice from the cans are often preferable to sprinkler type can dumps. Frick Company has a standard line of iron dip tanks. When these are used, can dumps without the sprinkler pipes are furnished.
Can Fillers
When the ice cans are refilled with water at their place in the tank, use is made of an apparatus under control of a float valve which so operates as to cut off the water supply when the water has reached a certain predetermined height in the cans. This apparatus, which is made of brass and copper, has demonstrated its reliability throughout many years of service.
Dip Tank 28
Can Filler
Frick Company has recently designed and placed on the market a device for filling the cans at the dump, and by its use the cans may be filled to a predetermined height in a very short time. When not in use, it automatically swings to a position where it will not interfere with the subsequent operations at the dump. This apparatus, while slightly more expensive than the former, has the advantage of perniitting the cans to be refilled under better conditions and when com- bined with multiple hoist enables the tank man to harvest ice much faster.
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Views of Can Filling Apparatus at Dump
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Distilled Water Storage Tank—Ammonia Coil Inside
Storage Tanks
Standard Frick ice plants are always provided with water precooling storage tanks. These tanks are of liberal size and are provided with an ample amount of ammonia cooling coils. The suction gas from the ice tanks is led through these cool- ing coils.
Round wooden tanks made of selected cypress and equipped with galvanized spiral cooling coils are furnished for all Frick standard raw water plants.
Iron tanks with cooling coils, as per above illustration, are usually furnished for distilled water plants.
Filters
Suitable water filters are furnished as a standard part of every Frick plant.
For raw water ice plants deep sand filters are furnished with silica sand bed or similar and coagulant feeder.
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For distilled water plants char- re furnished.
coal filters
The first charge of filtering ma- terial is always a part of a new filter equipment.
Charcoal Filter
Filter and Blower Room—Raw Water Plant 32
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