The Ultimate Guide to Tube Ice: Essential Uses Across Major Industries (2025)
Tube ice's hollow cylindrical shape, ranging from 22mm to 35mm in diameter, makes it one of the most versatile commercial ice types available today. The ice melts slowly, which makes it ideal to chill beverages without watering them down and preserve biological samples in healthcare facilities.
Ice making businesses have seen a dramatic shift since tube ice machines altered the map. These machines work in temperatures from -5°C to +56°C and meet strict HACCP and PDA certification standards. This piece will show you everything about tube ice production and its vital uses, whether you want to launch an ice making venture or learn about its applications in different industries.
What you'll learn:
The basics of tube ice production and quality standards
Industries that benefit from tube ice applications
Steps to launch and run an ice making business
Economical benefits of tube ice systems
What is Tube Ice and How is it Made
Tube ice manufacturing starts in a vertical shell-and-tube vessel. Water flows inside vertical tubes with refrigerant surrounding them. Ice forms on the inner surface of these tubes and creates hollow cylinders with 10-12mm wall thickness and approximately 50mm length.
Structure and properties
Tube ice's cylindrical structure enables uniform cooling and consistent melting rates. The tubes come with special water distributors at the top that control a spiral water supply down the inner surfaces. This design creates ice that stays between -8°C to -10°C, making it perfect for industrial applications of all types.
Manufacturing process
The production cycle follows these key steps:
Water filtration through specialized systems
Cold plate freezing using refrigerant circulation
Automatic ice ejection through hot gas defrost
Precision cutting to desired lengths
Automated transport to storage
Quality standards
Tube ice production follows strict quality and safety protocols.
The water must meet drinking water standards, and then needs proper filtration and sanitization. On top of that, manufacturers must comply with HACCP and PDA certification requirements.
The production system uses advanced refrigeration technology that saves energy by over 30%. Regular maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection of ice machines ensure microbiological quality. Water treatment systems need constant monitoring to keep ice free from contamination, especially when you have to consider that freezing alone cannot eliminate microorganisms.
Top Industries Using Tube Ice Today
Tube ice serves unique purposes in many industries because of its special properties and reliable cooling abilities.
Food and beverage sector
The food and beverage industry needs tube ice to keep perishable goods fresh throughout the supply chain. Its cylinder shape and slow-melting nature provide even cooling that maintains food quality. Tube ice works great for cooling drinks quickly without watering them down too much.
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
Tube ice is vital in healthcare for keeping medications stable and medical samples fresh. The temperature range of 0°C to 10°C keeps pharmaceuticals effective and stops bacteria from growing.
Healthcare facilities use tube ice to:
Keep vaccines and blood products fresh
Move temperature-sensitive medical supplies
Cool patients during hyperthermia emergencies
Construction projects
Construction teams use tube ice to control concrete temperatures during building work. This helps create perfect curing conditions, especially in hot weather when temperature control matters most for structural strength.
Chemical processing
Tube ice acts as a key cooling agent that manages exothermic reactions in chemical processing. The industry needs tube ice to keep exact temperature control during:
Diazo reactions
Coupling reactions
Condensation reactions
These processes need temperatures between 0°C and 10°C to stop nitrous acid from breaking down and keep chemical compounds stable. Tube ice gives the perfect cooling solution to make biopharmaceuticals, chemical pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Starting an Ice Making Business
Starting an ice making business needs careful financial planning and smart equipment choices.
Original investment needed
The ice making business just needs a substantial upfront investment that ranges from USD 48,84 to USD 195,37. Major expenses include ice production equipment (USD 9,77 to USD 97,69), water filtration systems (USD 1,95 to USD 14,65), and refrigeration units (USD 4,88 to USD 29,31).
Business owners should set aside money for these additional costs:
Facility rental: USD 0,98 to USD 4,88 monthly
Transportation vehicles: USD 4,88 to USD 19,54
Marketing initiatives: USD 19,54 to USD 9,77
Equipment selection guide
Price shouldn't be your only concern when selecting an ice tube machine. Production capacity and operational efficiency matter more. Small to medium-scale operations work well with single-phase machines that produce 500kg to 1000kg per day.
Your ideal machine should have these features:
PLC control systems for automated operation
Stainless steel 304 construction for durability
Multiple ice diameter options (14mm to 35mm)
Energy-efficient cooling systems
Ice quality depends heavily on water filtration systems. Good water treatment equipment ensures consistent production standards. The setup works best with RO water filters that have 250L/H capacity and proper water storage tanks that keep operations running smoothly.
Cost Benefits of Tube Ice Systems
Modern ice tube machines save money through smart design and technology. A close look at these machines reveals how they cut costs in operations of all sizes.
Energy efficiency comparison
Small-diameter tubes in ice making machines use less energy than larger diameter ones. Research shows power savings reach 191,689 kWh annually with better tube design. Companies can save up to 7.19 lakh per annum on their electricity bills.
The efficiency changes based on climate conditions:
Temperate areas: 40-50 kWh per ton
Tropical areas: 55-70 kWh per ton
Labor cost reduction
We reduced labor costs by automating tube ice production. Advanced systems with PLC controls need less human input and save about USD 2,450 per ice machine annually. These automated features include:
Remote monitoring capabilities
Automatic ice harvesting
Integrated packaging systems
Storage advantages
Tube ice systems save space with their compact design. These machines need minimal floor space but still maintain high production capacity.
The storage benefits go beyond just saving space:
Reduced maintenance costs: Modern tube ice machines come with modular designs that make on-site maintenance easy
Extended equipment life: Quality components ensure durability
Lower operational expenses: Better insulation systems prevent energy loss during storage
Companies using new tube ice technology see their investment paid back in 2.39 years, with returns averaging 25.58%. The original investment saves energy by up to 17.1%, making tube ice systems an economical choice for long-term operations.
Conclusion
Tube ice provides a remarkable solution for industries of all types with its unique cylindrical design and controlled melting rate. Manufacturing plants worldwide depend on this specialized ice form that meets quality standards and delivers energy savings of more than 30%.
Our detailed analysis reveals tube ice systems become cost-effective within 2.39 years and generate a 25.58% return on investment. These systems add great value to food preservation, healthcare applications, construction projects, and chemical processing where temperature control is vital.
The tube ice business demands careful planning with investments ranging from USD 48,84 to USD 195,37. The original costs might seem high, but reduced operational expenses and increased efficiency make the investment worthwhile in the long run.
Tube ice applications have a bright future ahead, given their vital role in cold chain integrity and industrial processes. Businesses that implement tube ice systems position themselves strategically for growth while they benefit from operational efficiency and consistent product quality.