Republic of the Philippines

SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Magsaysay Street, Salog (Pob.), Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Tel. No.; 056 211-0103; Email address: _______@sorsu.edu.ph

April 10, 2024

PROF. LYNN C. MENDOZA

Campus Director, Magallanes Campus
Sorsogon State University
Magallanes, Sorsogon 4705

Madame,

I am writing to summarize the evaluation conducted on the 5-ton Ice-making Machine at the
Crab Processing and Canning Facility of Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus. This
evaluation, conducted on May 9, 2024, was carried out by Engineer Mark Jeronn Guarin, a
Mechanical Engineer from Peter Paul Philippine Corporation, specializing in Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning, and Engr. Clifford G. Gaton, an Electrical Engineer from Sorsogon State
University.

The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the functionality and identify the underlying issues
preventing the utilization of the ice-making machine since its purchase. I am pleased to inform
you that the evaluation has produced significant findings, which are detailed in the attached report.

Among the key findings outlined in the report are the following reasons for the machine's non-
utilization:

1. Indoor Installation of Cooling Tower: The cooling tower was erroneously installed
indoors, compromising its efficiency in dissipating heat generated during the ice-making
process.
2. Stuck Brine Water Agitator: The brine water agitator is stuck, impeding proper circulation
of the refrigerant and severely affecting the machine's performance.
3. Poor Power Quality: The facility experiences poor power quality, characterized by
voltage fluctuations and electrical issues that directly impact the operation of the ice-
making machine.
4. Poor Plumbing Works: The plumbing pipes were installed poorly, posing a tripping
hazard to operators during operations, thus compromising safety.
5. Improper Dry-Type Transformer Location: The dry-type transformer is undersized for
the machine's power requirements, resulting in inadequate electrical supply and
compromised performance.
6. Undersized Dry-Type Transformer: The dry-type transformer is undersized for the
machine's power requirements, resulting in inadequate electrical supply and compromised
performance.
7. Low Refrigerant Level: The refrigerant level in the machine is critically low, significantly
impairing its cooling capacity and overall functionality.
8. Deformed and Under Capacity Casters: The casters supporting the machine are
deformed and under capacity, posing a risk of instability and insufficient support.

To urgently address these issues and enable the ice-making machine's functionality, the attached
report provides detailed recommendations, including:

1. Relocation of the cooling tower to an outdoor location.

2. Repair or replacement of the stuck brine water agitator.
3. Implementation of measures to address poor power quality.
4. Repair or replacement of poorly installed plumbing pipes to ensure safety.
 Republic of the Philippines
SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Magsaysay Street, Salog (Pob.), Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Tel. No.; 056 211-0103; Email address: _______@sorsu.edu.ph

5. Proper relocation and sizing of the dry-type transformer.

6. Refilling/replace the refrigerant to the appropriate level.
7. Replacement of deformed casters with adequately sized ones.

I urge you to prioritize the implementation of these recommendations to facilitate the machine's
operation and support the operations of the Crab Processing and Canning Facility effectively.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Should you require any further assistance or
clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. We remain committed to supporting the facility
in achieving its operational objectives.

Warm regards,

CLIFFORD G. GATON
Electrical Engineer, Sorsogon State University
 Republic of the Philippines
SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Magsaysay Street, Salog (Pob.), Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Tel. No.; 056 211-0103; Email address: _______@sorsu.edu.ph
EQUIPMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT
Location : Sorsogon State University – Magallanes Campus
Facility : Crab Processing and Canning Facility
Equipment : 10 Tonner Ice Making Machine
Date : May 9, 2024
Findings
The Brine Water Agitator is stuck and unable
to spin due to corrosion.
The Cooling tower is installed indoors and at
the same level as the condenser of the
machine. (Cooling towers are designed to be
installed outdoors since they use fresh air as
a medium to cool down water coming from
the condenser)
Unstable power supply. (During our
inspection, the power supply is at 198V Line
to Line. The requirement is at least 218.5V)
No proper location for the Dry-Type
Transformer (The Transformer should have a
designated location where it can be protected
from moisture/water that the operation of the
machine might cause. Having the transformer
near the machine also introduces hazards for
the Operators.)
Undersized Dry-Type Transformer. (The Dry-
Type Transformer was sized based only on
the compressor's capacity. The hoist, cooling
tower motor, booster pump, and the agitator
pump were not considered)
Insufficient working space on the machine’s
control panel
Exposed plumbing pipes (Plumbing must be
concealed or installed in a way that it will not
be hazardous to the Operators)
Low Refrigerant Level.
No Water Line was installed for the rinsing
tank.
Deformed and Under capacity casters
Prepared By:
CLIFFORD G. GATON, REE
Electrical Engineer, Sorsogon State
University
Recommendations
The Brine Water Agitator should undergo
rehabilitation (Rust Removal and Lubrication)
The Cooling tower should be installed
outdoors and should be elevated, higher than
the condenser of the machine. A booster
pump is required.
Install 50kVA Automatic Voltage Regulator.
(Compressors are prone to overload on low
voltages)
Relocate the Dry Type Transformer from the
Ice Making Machine Room to the Power
House (The Transformer should have a
designated location where it can be protected
from moisture that the operation of the
machine might cause. Having the transformer
near the machine also introduces hazards on
the part of the Operators.)
Install a 150kVA Dry-Type. This will be
enough to supply power to both the Ice
Making Machine and the Cold Storage.
Relocate the control panel.
Repair or replacement of poorly installed
plumbing pipes to ensure safety.
Refill/replace the machine with refrigerant
(Recommended Refrigerant: R134a)
Install a water line for the rinsing tank.
Replace the casters with permanent support.
(The casters supporting the machine are
deformed and under capacity, posing a risk of
instability and insufficient support.)
Noted by:
MARK JERONN GUARIN, ME
Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration and Air-
Conditioning Specialist
 Republic of the Philippines
SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Magsaysay Street, Salog (Pob.), Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Tel. No.; 056 211-0103; Email address: _______@sorsu.edu.ph

Figure-1. Corroded Agitator Pump Shaft FigureError! No text of specified style in document.-2.
Control Panel with Insufficient Working Space

Figure-3. Undersized Dry-Type Transformer with no Figure-4. Cooling Tower Installed Indoors
proper location
 Republic of the Philippines
SORSOGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Magsaysay Street, Salog (Pob.), Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Tel. No.; 056 211-0103; Email address: _______@sorsu.edu.ph

Figure-5. Deformed Under Capacity Casters

Figure-6. Plumbing pipes with tripping hazard.

Prepared By: Noted by:

CLIFFORD G. GATON, REE MARK JERONN GUARIN, ME

Electrical Engineer, Sorsogon State Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration and Air-
University Conditioning Specialist