How does the thermoaccumulation system that uses ice tanks work?

Ice tanks, unlike ice water tanks, require two distinct cycles: Load cycle or ice production, in which ice is formed inside the tanks; Cycle of discharge or burning, in which the previously accumulated ice is consumed. There are different types of tanks with different conceptions of accumulation of ice. The main suppliers of these tanks are: Alpina, Semco-Bac and Criogel. In ice thermo-accumulation systems it is necessary to introduce into the water of the ice water circuit a substance, usually ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, whose main function is to lower the freezing point of the water allowing the formation of ice in the tanks. This mixture will circulate through the chiller and fan coils. In the consumption or firing cycle, the water and ethylene glycol solution is cooled by passing the tanks, leaving the tank at a temperature around 2 ° C, being mixed with the solution from the chiller, at a higher temperature and sent back to the Air conditioners at a temperature of around 5 to 7 ° C.