WO2012020886A1

WO2012020886A1 - Ice-making apparatus and method capable of removing heavy mater containing lime water

Info

Publication number: WO2012020886A1
Application number: PCT/KR2010/007435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nahm Young Kang
Original assignee: Retem Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-08-11
Filing date: 2010-10-28
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Also published as: CN102959349B; KR101026909B1; CN102959349A

Abstract

Disclosed is an ice-making apparatus and method capable of purifying water, which can provide a water purification function for removing heavy water containing lime water from supply water by using the flow of the supply water, and which are inexpensive due to the simple construction thereof. The ice-making apparatus and method can purify water without using a filter, which can produce ice having a shape which did not exist as an ice shape in the past, wherein the ice can be melted quickly when it is initially melted, thereby increasing coolness, and the ice can maintain the coolness for a long time when it is melted to a certain degree.

Description

ICE-MAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD CAPABLE OF REMOVING HEAVY MATER CONTAINING LIME WATER

The present invention relates to an ice-making apparatus and method, and more particularly relates to an ice-making apparatus and method capable of removing foreign matter, such as lime water contained in raw water (supply water).

In the past, substantially no ice-making apparatus has existed which can be used for water purification, and ice-making apparatuses have been used merely for producing ice without taking part in purifying water. That is, conventional ice-making apparatuses were typically of immersion-type for standing water, which immerse one or more refrigerant pipes or the like in standing supply water, so that the water can be turned into ice by the refrigerant pipes immersed in the water, thereby merely producing ice without directly purifying the supply water.

Since the conventional ice-making apparatuses do not take part in purifying water as described above, it is impossible to obtain pure ice with such conventional ice-making apparatuses.

In addition, conventional ice-making apparatuses may be of a water flow type or a water injection type, which performs ice-making merely by allowing water to flow over or by injecting water.

Therefore, since this conventional water flow type or water injecting type ice-making method is not a water purification-type ice-making method capable of removing foreign matter contained in water, it is impossible to produce pure ice.

Recently, a filter-attached ice-making apparatus has been disclosed which is provided with a filter for purifying supply water.

However, with such a filter-attached ice-making apparatus, it is necessary to periodically change filters. As a result, expense and inconvenience will be certainly caused in connection with filter change.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus and method which impart a purification function for removing heavy water containing lime water from supply water by using the flow of the supply water.

In addition, the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus capable of purifying water, which is inexpensive due to the simple construction thereof, and an ice-making method using the same.

In addition, the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus and method capable of purifying water without using a filter.

Moreover, the preset invention provides an ice-making apparatus and method capable of purifying water and of producing ice which is novel and unique in shape, wherein the ice is initially melted very quickly, thereby providing increased coolness, and the ice is capable of maintaining the coolness as long as possible after it is melted to a certain degree.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice-making method capable of removing heavy water from supply water, the method including the steps of: providing a condenser line and a refrigerant line, through which refrigerant is circulated; rotating and dropping the supply water; setting the temperature of the refrigerant to the freezing point of the supply water; and allowing the refrigerant to pass through the condenser line and the refrigerant line so that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the supply water while the supply water is being rotated and dropped.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of rotating and dropping the supply water includes the step of dropping the supply water along a wall of an ice-making unit pipe, and wherein the ice-making method may further include the step of separating by free-fall the ice produced due to the heat exchange with the refrigerant.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making method may further include: the steps of installing a refrigerant inlet tube entering into the ice-making unit and a refrigerant outlet tube exiting from the ice-making unit tube in such a manner that the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are offset from each other recycling the supply water unused in ice-making.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making method may further include the step of allowing the ice to be formed in an hourglass shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice-making apparatus capable of purifying supply water, the ice-making apparatus including: a condenser for condensing refrigerant; a compressor for compressing gasified refrigerant; a supply water feeding means for feeding supply water; a supply water rotation means for rotating the supply water; and a heat exchange part having a free-flow conduit, through which the refrigerant flows for freezing the rotated supply water.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the supply water rotation means allows the supply water to be rotated and dropped along the wall of the ice-making unit. In addition, the ice-making apparatus may further include a refrigerant inlet tube entering into the ice-making unit and a refrigerant outlet tube exiting from the ice-making unit tube, the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are arranged in such a manner that the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are offset from each other. In such a case, the deviation between the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes may be in the range of 0.3 cm to 10 cm.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making apparatus may further include a means for installing the rotation means and a nozzle having a water level control function. The ice formed by the ice-making apparatus has an hourglass shape.

Also, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ice-making apparatus may be provided with a plurality of heat exchange parts, which are arranged in a plurality of rows.

Finally according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the supply water feeding means, the supply water rotation means and the heat exchange unit are kitted in such a manner that they can be installed in an existing refrigerator, freezer or ice-making water purifier.

As described above, the present invention can provide a water purification function for removing heavy water containing lime water and included in supply water merely by using the flow of the supply water. In addition, the present invention provides an inexpensive ice-making apparatus and method capable of purifying water by fabricating the ice-making apparatus and method in a simple construction.

In addition, the present invention makes ice using the flow of supply as described above. As a result, the present invention provides an ice-making apparatus and method capable of purifying water without using a filter.

In addition, the present invention provides ice having a shape which did not exist as an ice shape in the past, wherein the ice can be melted quickly when it is initially melted, thereby increasing coolness, and the ice can maintain the coolness for a long time when it is melted to a certain degree.

That is, according to the present invention, the ice is formed in an hourglass shape. As a result, the ice can be melted quickly when it is initially melted, thereby increasing coolness, and the ice can maintain the coolness for a long time when it is melted to a certain degree, and can stimulate people’s interest due to the unique shape of the ice.

In addition, the inventive ice-making unit system can be kitted in such a manner that it can be simply installed in a currently used refrigerator, freezer or ice-making water purifier. Moreover, by installing the ice-making unit system in this manner, it is possible to save expense since the currently used refrigerator, freezer or ice-making water purifier can be used as it is. As such, it is also possible to obtain an environment-friendly effect since waste can be reduced.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an ice-making system capable of purifying water in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a supply water rotation means for rotating supply water in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange part in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another heat exchange part in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another heat exchange part in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the rotation of water rendered by the means for rotating supply water in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water;

FIGs. 7a to 7c are cross-sectional views showing an ice-forming process in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water;

FIGs. 8a and 8b are cross-sectional views of an ice made by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water; and

FIGs. 9a to 9c are a perspective view and photographs of an ice produced by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Each of the drawings shows components of the present invention in a reduced or enlarged scale for the purpose of clearness unlike the real sizes thereof.

Terminologies used herein are not intended to limit the present invention but merely to describe specific embodiments. A word expressed in the singular herein covers the corresponding word in the plural unless it is clear that it is used otherwise in meaning from the context. In shall be noted that in the present application, terms “include” or “have” are used merely to indicate the existence of a feature, a number, a step, an action, a component, a part or a combination thereof described herein may exist, but not to exclude in advance the possibility of existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or combinations thereof.

For the embodiments of the present invention, specific structural or functional descriptions disclosed herein are exemplified merely to describe the embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and shall not be construed to be limited to the embodiments described herein.

That is, specific embodiments are exemplified described in detail in the drawings and the specification, although the present invention may have various forms, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. However, it shall be noted that it is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific forms disclosed herein and all of the changes, equivalents and substitutions included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are belong to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water. As shown in FIG. 1, supply water (raw water) is fed to a water storage tank 1, and the supply water is sent to an ice-making unit supply water feeding means 6 by a pump 3.

The supply water fed to the ice-making unit supply water feeding means 6 is sent to one or more ice-making

units

9 and 10 through nozzles 7. Through the nozzles 7, each of which is typically formed in a tubular shape, the supply water is sent to the ice-making

units

9 and 10. Although the nozzles 7 are described as being tubular, it is evident that there is no limit in the shape of the nozzles 7.

Then, the supply water is introduced into the ice-making

units

9 and 10 through the nozzles 7. Although, each of the ice-making units is shown in FIG. 1 as being separated into an upper ice-making unit 9 and a lower ice-making unit 10, the upper ice-making unit 9 and the lower ice-making unit 10 may be integrally formed in a single unit. If the upper ice-making unit 9 and the lower ice-making unit 10 are separated from each other, fastening means 14 for mounting a water rotation means 13 is attached to the upper ice-making unit 9.

More specifically, since an ice-making unit has a long tubular shape, it is difficult to mount the fastening means 14 in such a long tube. Therefore, the ice-making unit is separated into an upper separating unit 9 and a lower separating unit 10, and the fastening means 14 is provided in the upper ice-making unit 9.

Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, grooves 13-4 formed on the water rotation means 13 are engaged with fastening means 14 provided in an upper ice-making unit 9. As a result, the water rotation means 13 can be fixedly mounted in the upper ice-making unit 9.

That is, the fastening means 14 is formed in a protrusion shape, and is fixedly joined to the upper ice-making unit 9, for example through welding. The grooves 13-4 of the water rotation means 13 are engaged with the fastening means 14, so that the water rotation means 13 can be fixedly seated in the upper ice-making unit 9.

Although it has been described in the above that the water rotation means 13 is fixed by providing fastening means 14 in an upper ice-making unit 9, and by coupling the grooves 13-4 formed on the water rotation means 13 to the fastening means 14, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned construction. That is, it can be appreciated by an ordinarily skilled person in the art that any methods or means capable of retaining the water rotation means 13 within an ice-making

unit

9 and 10 can be employed in the present invention.

After the water rotation means 13 is fixedly coupled to the fastening means 14, the upper ice-making unit 9 and the lower ice-making unit 10 are joined to each other. Welding may be used to join the upper and lower ice-making

units

9 and 10. However, the upper and lower ice-making

units

9 and 10 may be joined to each other through any methods beyond welding.

Then, the supply water introduced into the upper ice-making unit 9 is dropped downward while being rotated by the water rotation means 13. The water rotation means 13 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water rotation means 13 includes an upper body 13-1, one or more gaps 13-3 and one or more grooves 13-4. Upon being introduced into the water rotation means 13 configured like this, the supply water is rotated through the lower body 13-2 and dropped downward through the gaps 13. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, since the gaps 13-3 are formed adjacent to the wall of the ice-making unit, the supply water is rotated and dropped along the wall of the ice-making unit.

Although the water rotation means 13 is shown and described above, it is evident that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned construction. That is, any system may be employed as the water rotation means if it could rotate supply water along the wall of the ice-making unit.

For example, the water rotation means may be formed in a propeller shape so that it can rotate the supply water while it is being rotated. Alternatively, in a larger ice-making unit, without fixing the water rotation means, it is possible to compulsorily rotate supply water by an external power (motor) so that the supply water can be rotated through the ice-making unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, a gap 8 is provided on the top of the upper ice-making unit 9 as a water level control means. The gap 8 may be simply formed between the nozzle 7 and the upper ice-making unit 9, and the supply water, which does not pass through the upper rotation means 13, may overflow through the gap 8, whereby the water level can be controlled.

However, it is evident that the water level control means is not limited to the gap 8, and it is possible to control the level of the supply water by the existing various means.

After passing through the water rotation means 13 as described above, the supply water is rotated along the walls of the ice-

units

9 and 10, and dropped downward. The supply water rotated and dropped downward passes through the lower unit 10, which is provided with a heat exchange part 11.

Now, a refrigerant line and a condenser line are described with reference to FIG. 1.

The refrigerant line and the condenser line are operated in accordance with the same principle with those employed in the conventional refrigerators and freezers. Refrigerant is liquefied by a condenser 4 while passing through the condenser line. Then, the liquefied refrigerant exerts an ice-making effect while passing through a refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 positioned within the inventive heat exchange part 11. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

Then, the refrigerant is gasified while exerting the ice-making effect and then introduced into a compressor 5 through the refrigerant line, and the gasified refrigerant is changed into liquid again by being compressed by the compressor 5.

The refrigerant line and the condenser line described above are those typically used for ice-making in conventional refrigerators, freezers and ice-making apparatuses for water purifiers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerant, which has passed through the condenser 4 is introduced into the heat exchange part 11 through a refrigerant inlet tube 17, and discharged from the heat exchange part 11 through a refrigerant outlet tube 18. The refrigerant inlet tube 17 and the refrigerant outlet tube 18 are offset from each other with a deviation P rather than being coaxially arranged in a line.

The above-mentioned construction is described in more detail with reference to FIGs. 3a and 3b. FIG. 3a is a view showing the heat exchange part in the inventive ice-making unit system in more detail, and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A.

As shown in FIG. 3a, in the inventive ice-making unit, a small deviation P is provided between the refrigerant inlet tube 17 and the refrigerant outlet tube 19 for the heat exchange part 11. Although the present invention is not limited by the deviation P, the deviation is in the range of about 0.2 mm to 30 cm, and preferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 10 cm.

The deviation P is provided because the deviation can make the refrigerant flow more smoothly in the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 of the heat exchange part, and can increase the residing time of the refrigerant within the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12.

That is, because the residing time of the refrigerant can be extended by providing the deviation P in accordance with the present invention, effective heat exchange can be accomplished.

Referring to FIG. 3a again, after being introduced into the refrigerant inlet tube 13, the refrigerant resides in the refrigerant free-flow inlet and freezes the supply water dropped to the lower ice-making unit 10. The heat exchange part 11 forming the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 is coaxial to the lower ice-making unit 10, and the top and bottom parts of the heat exchange part 11 are connected to the lower ice-making unit 10. The top and bottom parts of the heat exchange part 11 are connected to the lower ice-making unit 10 through welding, although the present invention is not limited to this.

Ice is formed in the lower ice-making unit 10 by refrigerant residing in the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 within the heat exchange part 11.

At this time, in the inventive ice-making unit system, the temperature of the refrigerant is maintained in the range of -3℃ to -45℃, preferably in the range of -8℃ to -18℃. Therefore, in the inventive ice-making unit system, water is rotated and dropped downward by the water rotation means 13. At this time, although water is frozen under the effect of the refrigerant by maintaining the temperature of the refrigerant in the range of -8℃ to -18℃, heavy water containing lime water is not frozen. That is, since the freezing point of lime water is about -50℃, only the water is frozen in the inventive ice-making unit system but the heavy water containing lime water flows downward as it is and is discharged. The water discharged thereby may be used in another purpose.

In the inventive ice-making unit system, supply water is rotated and dropped along the cylindrical wall of the lower ice-making unit by the rotation means 13, and ice-making is executed on the cylindrical wall of the lower ice-making unit 10 by the heat exchange with the refrigerant in the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 of the heat exchange part 11. However, as described above, since the temperature of the refrigerant is maintained in the range of -8℃ to -18℃ in the present invention, only the water is frozen and the heavy water containing lime water is dropped and discharged downward without being frozen.

Here, since tension is also applied to the supply water, the surface area to come into contact with the surface area is limited in the inventive ice-making unit system if the water is dropped without being rotated. However, by rotating the water, the surface area coming into contact with the water can be increased. That is, if water is dropped without being rotated, the water contact surface area is not more than the area which comes into contact with the flowing water since tension is applied to the water. However, if the water is rotated, it is natural that the water contact surface shall be relatively increased. Therefore, since the supply water is dropped along the ice-making unit while being rotated in accordance with the present invention, the surface area where the supply water comes into contact with the ice-making unit can be substantially increased and the ice-making effect can be excellent.

Next, the inventive ice-making system is described with reference to FIGs. 4 and 5, wherein FIG. 4 shows the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water, and FIG. 5 shows another heat exchange part.

FIG. 4 shows the inventive heat exchange parts 11 arranged in two rows, and FIG. 5 shows the inventive heat exchange parts 11 arranged in three rows. With these arrangements, it is possible to increase the ice producing quantity as compared to the heat exchange parts 11 arranged in one row as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, it will be appreciated by an ordinarily skilled person in the art that it is possible to arrange the heat exchange parts 11 in plural rows to meet the purpose of using the ice-making system, rather than arranging the heat exchange parts 11 in two or three rows.

In addition, it will be appreciated by an ordinarily skilled person in the art that although it is shown that ice-making

units

9 and 10 are provided in a group of four, respectively, it is possible to provide more ice-making

units

9 and 10. That is, the number of the ice-making

units

9 and 10 can be determined according to the ice-making conditions thereof.

FIG. 6 shows the rotation of water in the inventive ice-making system. In accordance with the present invention, water dropped from a nozzle is rotated by the water rotation means 3, and dropped along the walls of the ice-making

units

9 and 10. Since the water is dropped along the walls of the ice-making

units

9 and 10 in this manner, the ice-making efficiency can be enhanced by the refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 in the heat exchange part 11.

FIGs. 7a to 7c show the steps of forming ice 20 in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water. That is, FIG. 7a shows the initial step of forming ice in the refrigerant free-flow conduit of the heat exchange part 11, and FIGs. 7a and 7b show the next steps of forming the ice.

Next, description is made with reference to FIGs. 8 and 9, which show ice produced by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water.

As shown in FIGs. 8a and 8b, the ice produced by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water may be hourglass-shaped as shown in FIG. 8b. The reason why the ice is produced in an hourglass shape is because the temperature in the refrigerant inlet tube 17 and the refrigerant outlet tube 18 is lowest in the inventive ice-making unit.

The hourglass-shaped ice is very unique, and different from existing ice shapes. That is, among the existing ice shapes, a rectangular shape is an ordinary one, and a cylindrical shape is a somewhat special one. The hourglass-shaped ice, the shape of which is quite different from the existing ice shapes, can be produced only by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water.

As shown in the drawings, the hourglass-shaped ice has top and bottom portions which are very thin as compared to the middle portion thereof. As a result, when the hourglass-shaped ice is immersed in water, the top and bottom portions are initially melted very quickly in the water, thereby cooling the water, since the portions are very thin. However, the water cooled to a certain degree is maintained cool substantially long by the middle portion of the hourglass-shaped ice.

Like this, the hourglass-shaped ice formed by the present invention can cool water quickly since the relatively thin top and bottom portions of the ice are melted relatively quickly, but after a certain length of time, the relatively thick middle portion of the hourglass-shaped ice can maintain coolness for a long time.

In addition, the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water can be operated by providing only the ice-making

units

9 and 10 on a refrigerant line and a condenser line for a refrigerator, a freezer or an ice-making apparatus which is currently used.

That is, the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water can be operated by kitting the ice-making

units

9 and 10 and simply mounting the ice-making

units

9 and 10 on a refrigerant line and a condenser line for a refrigerator, a freezer or an ice-making apparatus which is currently used. Therefore, the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water is convenient to mount and operate. In addition, since the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water can be applied, as it is, to a refrigerant line and a condenser line which are currently used, the price of the ice-making system can be substantially reduced.

In addition, the ice produced by the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water has an hourglass shape. As a result, when the ice-making system is installed in an ordinary home, it is possible to provide ice which is substantially attractive to children due to its unique shape.

In particular, if the inventive-system is installed in a cocktail bar, it may be possible to achieve substantial effects on business. More specifically, if the inventive ice-making system is installed in a cocktail bar in such a manner that customers are allowed to push a button of the ice-making system, and hourglass-shaped ices are dropped after about 10 minutes after pushing the button and used for cocktail or the like, a very good reputation may be given from the customers.

FIGs. 9a to 9c show sand-glass shaped ice made as described above.

As shown in the photographs of FIGs. 9b and 9c, the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water produces unique hourglass-shaped ice, which is initially melted very quickly in water at the thin top and bottom portions, thereby quickly cooling the water, and the water cooled to a certain degree is maintained for a very long time by the middle portion of the hourglass-shaped ice, whereby the original effect of ice can be sufficiently exhibited. In addition, since the ice produced by the inventive ice-making system has a unique shape, such as an hourglass shape, that has not been used as a shape of ice, it may have a very good reputation from people. Moreover, since the inventive ice-making system not only produces ice but also purifies water merely by rotating the water and using the difference in freezing point between water and foreign matter, without using a filter, the effect of the present invention can be emphasized.

Now, a process for separating ice formed in the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water is described with reference to FIG. 1 again. In fact, ice separating is not inferior to ice-making in an ice-making process. In the past, ice-making is implemented by freezing water contained in a plastic container, and then ice is separated from the container by physically twisting the plastic container. As a result, ice is frequently separated without being properly formed in a complete shape.

However, according to the inventive ice-making system capable of purifying water, ice formed in a lower ice-making unit 10 along a refrigerant free-flow conduit 12 of a heat exchange part 11 can be separated by free-fall when the ice is produced and formed to a certain size. Therefore, according to the present invention, since ice separating is naturally executed by free-fall when the ice is formed and formed to have a predetermined weight, the shape of the ice can be maintained as it is. Of course, in order to support the ice to maintain its shape, it is possible to provide a shock-absorbing material in an ice storage unit 2, thereby receiving the ice while absorbing shock. In addition, a freezing storage means (not shown) capable of keeping ice may be provided in the ice storage unit 2 or the like.

Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

An ice-making method capable of removing heavy water from supply water, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a condenser line and a refrigerant line, through which refrigerant is circulated;

rotating and dropping the supply water;

setting the temperature of the refrigerant to the freezing point of the supply water; and

making the refrigerant pass through the condenser line and the refrigerant line so that the refrigerant exchanges heat with the supply water while the supply water is being rotated and dropped.
The ice-making method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of rotating and dropping the supply water comprises the step of dropping the supply water along a wall of an ice-making unit pipe.
The ice-making method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of separating by free-fall the ice produced due to the heat exchange with the refrigerant.
The ice-making method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of installing a refrigerant inlet tube entering into the ice-making unit and a refrigerant outlet tube exiting from the ice-making unit tube in such a manner that the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are offset from each other.
The ice-making method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of recycling the supply water unused in ice-making.
The ice-making method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the ice to be formed in an hourglass shape.
An ice-making apparatus capable of purifying supply water, the ice-making apparatus comprising:

a condenser for condensing refrigerant;

a compressor for compressing gasified refrigerant;

a supply water feeding means for feeding supply water;

a supply water rotation means for rotating the supply water; and

a heat exchange part having a free-flow conduit, through which the refrigerant flows for freezing the rotated supply water.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supply water rotation means allows the supply water to be rotated and dropped along the wall of the ice-making unit.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a refrigerant inlet tube entering into the ice-making unit and a refrigerant outlet tube exiting from the ice-making unit tube, the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are arranged in such a manner that the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes are offset from each other.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the deviation between the centers of the refrigerant inlet and outlet tubes is in the range of 0.3 cm to 10 cm.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a means for installing the rotation means.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a nozzle having a water level control function.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ice formed by the ice-making apparatus is hourglass-shaped.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein a plurality of heat exchange parts are provided, which are arranged in a plurality of rows.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the supply water feeding means, the supply water rotation means and the heat exchange unit are kitted in such a manner that they can be installed in an existing refrigerator, freezer or ice-making water purifier.