Ice banks

Ice banks are highly effective in various air conditioning and refrigeration applications by addressing the common need for consistent cooling during peak demand periods. They work by storing thermal energy in the form of ice, which is later used for cooling purposes. Such ice cold storage is widely used for process cooling in industries like food and beverage manufacturing or preservation. Ice storage tanks are popular in commercial cooling as they reduce energy consumption during peak hours. Refra ice banks can be integrated into ice storage chiller system in a flooded setup with Refra chillers or in a direct expansion ice storage cooling system with condensing units or compressor racks. This flexibility ensures a configuration that best meets the specific cooling demands of the customer.

Ice banks with glycol coil

the front of cold water and ice banks for cooling systems in a big white tank manufactured by refra

Ice banks with DX coil

the front of cold water and ice banks for cooling systems in a big white tank manufactured by refra

Ice Banks for Cooling systems

Ice banks are commonly used in commercial and industrial refrigeration where efficient energy use and reliable cooling are essential. The system operates by circulating a refrigerant or chilled glycol in a series of coils that are installed inside the tank. During off-peak hours, typically at night, the refrigerant cools the coils to below freezing, forming a layer of ice around the coils. Once the ice has formed on the coils, the tank is filled with water, which circulates around the ice, absorbing the cold and lowering its temperature. This chilled water is then distributed to meet the cooling requirements, delivering an efficient and steady cooling supply for a variety of applications. This stored icy water can then be used during peak hours, when cooling demand is high, to provide refrigeration or air conditioning without needing to run compressors at full capacity. This process helps reduce energy costs by shifting power consumption to off-peak times and ensures a consistent cooling supply even during periods of high demand.