DELEITE IM-22 Square Ice Maker

Overview

The DELEITE IM-22 Square Ice Maker is a compact, air-cooled laboratory and commercial-grade ice production system engineered for consistent, on-demand generation of uniform square ice cubes (22 × 22 mm). Unlike flake, nugget, or tube ice machines, the IM-22 employs a dual-screw extrusion freezing mechanism—where potable water is metered into a vertically oriented evaporator cylinder, rapidly frozen under controlled thermal gradients, and mechanically extruded into precisely dimensioned cubes via synchronized counter-rotating stainless-steel screws. This process ensures minimal surface moisture, low melt rate, and high structural integrity—critical for applications requiring prolonged thermal stability, visual clarity, and mechanical handling in controlled environments. Designed for integration into analytical laboratories, clinical sample preparation areas, cold-chain validation zones, and quality control suites, the IM-22 operates independently of external chillers or glycol loops, delivering reliable ice output with no requirement for water pre-chilling or closed-loop recirculation.

Key Features

• Stainless steel (AISI 304) cabinet and internal components ensure corrosion resistance, cleanability, and compliance with ISO 14644-1 Class 8 (ISO Class 8) ambient handling requirements.
• Imported R134a-compatible hermetic compressor provides stable refrigeration performance across ambient temperatures from 10 °C to 32 °C, with automatic defrost cycle management to prevent evaporator frost accumulation.
• Microprocessor-based controller enables fully automated operation—including self-diagnostic routines, real-time temperature monitoring of evaporator and storage bin, and timed harvest cycles.
• Optimized dual-screw extrusion geometry yields geometrically consistent 22 × 22 × 22 mm ice cubes with density ≥915 kg/m³ and surface moisture content <1.2% w/w—verified per ASTM D4956-22 Annex A3 methodology.
• Air-cooled condenser design eliminates need for dedicated water drainage infrastructure; unit meets UL 1995 and IEC 60335-2-74 safety standards for refrigerating appliances.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IM-22 is intended for use with potable water meeting WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (4th ed., 2017) and local municipal standards (e.g., EPA 810-B-21-001). It is not designed for seawater, deionized water, or solutions containing solutes >50 ppm TDS, as mineral deposition may impair screw torque transmission and evaporator heat transfer efficiency. The unit complies with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements per EN 61000-6-3 and EN 61000-6-1, and its stainless-steel construction supports routine cleaning validation under cGMP Annex 15 and EU GMP Chapter 3 protocols. While not classified as a medical device under FDA 21 CFR Part 820, it is suitable for ancillary use in GLP-compliant laboratories where ice serves as a passive thermal buffer during sample stabilization (e.g., enzyme assays, nucleic acid extraction, chromatographic mobile phase cooling).

Software & Data Management

The IM-22 operates without embedded software or network connectivity; all control logic resides in a hardened industrial microcontroller with non-volatile parameter storage. Operational logs—including total runtime hours, number of harvest cycles, and compressor on/off timestamps—are retained for ≥12 months and accessible via front-panel diagnostic mode (requiring technician-level access code). No data export capability is provided, aligning with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.5.2 requirements for equipment with limited data generation. For laboratories requiring audit trails, integration with external building management systems (BMS) is supported via dry-contact relay outputs (NO/NC) triggered by ice-full or fault conditions.

Applications

• Pre-analytical sample cooling in clinical chemistry and hematology labs—maintaining specimens at 2–8 °C during transport to analyzers.
• Thermal mass stabilization during calorimetric calibration procedures (e.g., DSC baseline verification).
• Cold trap support in rotary evaporation setups where low-melt-rate ice minimizes condensate dilution.
• Controlled-temperature matrix for microbiological plate incubation pre-chilling (per CLSI M22-A3).
• On-site ice supply for field-deployable environmental sampling kits requiring trace-metal-free thermal buffering.

FAQ

What is the recommended water quality specification for optimal IM-22 performance?
Potable water with total dissolved solids (TDS) <150 ppm, hardness <100 mg/L CaCO₃, and chlorine residual <0.5 mg/L is advised. Pre-filtration using 5 µm sediment + activated carbon + 0.5 µm final filter is strongly recommended.
Can the IM-22 be installed in an enclosed cabinetry space?
Yes—provided minimum rear clearance of 100 mm and top clearance of 150 mm are maintained for unrestricted airflow across the condenser coil. Ambient ventilation must deliver ≥20 air changes/hour.
Does the unit comply with energy efficiency regulations such as EU Ecodesign Directive 2019/2023?
Yes—the IM-22 achieves an Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) of 89% per EN 62552-3:2021, placing it within Tier B (high-efficiency) classification for small ice makers.
Is validation documentation (IQ/OQ) available from DELEITE?
Factory-issued Installation Qualification (IQ) templates and operational test protocols are supplied with each unit; User Requirement Specification (URS)-aligned Operational Qualification (OQ) execution support is available upon request through authorized service partners.
What maintenance intervals are specified for long-term reliability?
Compressor oil inspection every 24 months; evaporator screw alignment verification every 36 months; full descaling of water distribution manifold every 6 months when operating with hard water (>120 mg/L CaCO₃).