Ice machine with a dual-circuit evaporator for hydrocarbon refrigerant

An ice making assembly for forming ice using a refrigerant capable of transitioning between liquid and gaseous states, the ice making assembly comprising:

• a first refrigeration circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, a hot gas valve, an expansion device and interconnecting lines thereof;
• wherein the refrigerant comprises hydrocarbon refrigerant;
• a second refrigeration circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, a hot gas valve, an expansion device, and interconnecting lines thereof;
• wherein the refrigerant comprises hydrocarbon refrigerant;
• a single, shared evaporator assembly comprising:
• a first refrigerant tubing having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the first refrigeration circuit such that the refrigerant may cycle through the first refrigerant tubing and the first refrigeration circuit;
• a second refrigerant tubing having an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the second refrigeration circuit such that the refrigerant may cycle through the second refrigerant tubing and the second refrigeration circuit;
• and
• a freeze plate having a front side and a rear side, wherein the front side comprises a plurality of pockets in which the ice if formed, wherein the rear side is thermally coupled to the first and second refrigerant tubing;
• and
• a water system for supplying water to the freeze plate;
• wherein the first and second refrigerant tubings are each formed in a serpentine shape and are positioned on the rear side of the freeze plate to provide cooling over the front side of the freeze plate;
• wherein the first refrigerant tubing includes an upper portion spaced apart above the inlet of the first refrigerant tubing and the second refrigerant tubing includes an upper portion spaced apart above the inlet of the second refrigerant tubing;
• and
• wherein the first refrigerant tubing includes a lower portion spaced apart below the inlet of the first refrigerant tubing and the second refrigerant tubing includes a lower portion spaced apart below the inlet of the second refrigerant tubing.