15T Brine Block Ice Machine for a Dominican Republic Ice Plant: Flexible Supply for Large-Scale Ice Production

When an ice factory plans a 15-ton-per-day production line, the challenge is not simply choosing a larger ice machine. The refrigeration system, block size, site construction, budget and international logistics all have to fit together. In a recent Dominican Republic project, a customer who produces block ice for sale chose a 15T/24h brine block ice system, but not every part of the plant will be shipped from China. Instead, the project is being divided between factory-supplied equipment and locally fabricated structures.

A 15-Ton-Per-Day Requirement for an Ice Factory

The customer directly specified a production target of 15 tons per day，with each individual block weighing 100 kg, and one freezing cycle completed per day. making it a large-volume production setup for commercial ice sales rather than a small on-site ice machine.

For the main refrigeration section, the system is configured for three-phase 220V, 60Hz power, using water cooling and R404A refrigerant. The supplied equipment includes a 15T RefComp refrigeration unit, brine pump, agitator, cooling tower, water pump and ice unloading rack. These components form the main refrigeration and circulation system for the project.

Why the Brine Tank Will Be Built Locally

The brine tank is an important part of a traditional brine block ice plant, but in this project the customer chose to construct it locally. ICEMA will provide drawings and technical recommendations to support the local work.

As plant capacity increases, the brine tank becomes a large structure. Shipping it internationally can take up considerable transport space and make logistics more complicated. Local construction can therefore be a practical option when suitable fabrication resources are available.

However, this choice should be discussed with the equipment manufacturer before construction begins. Tank dimensions, equipment interfaces and installation requirements still need to match the refrigeration system. The purpose is not simply to remove a large item from the shipment, but to ensure that the locally built section can work correctly with the supplied equipment.

Splitting the Supply Scope to Match the Project Budget

The customer also chose to manufacture the ice cans, travelling crane and steel frame locally to keep the project within budget. This creates a flexible supply model: the core refrigeration and circulation equipment is supplied by the machine manufacturer, while several large structural and supporting items are produced in the Dominican Republic.

For overseas buyers, this approach can be useful when local fabrication is available and shipping bulky structures is not the most practical choice. It also gives the buyer more room to balance equipment investment, freight and local construction costs.

Split supply still requires coordination. Locally fabricated items remain part of the complete ice-making system, so their dimensions and connection requirements should be confirmed before production or construction begins.

A Practical Reference for Overseas Block Ice Plants

This project shows why a brine block ice machine should be planned as part of an overall ice plant rather than treated as a standalone product. For an ice factory producing large blocks for sale, daily capacity and block weight matter, but so do logistics, local fabrication capability and budget allocation.

A 15T/24h brine block ice plant does not always need to arrive as one complete shipment. Depending on the site and local resources, separating the supply scope can make an overseas project easier to organize. The key is to decide early which components should be factory-built, which can be made locally, and how the two sides will fit together before installation.