Guns and Techniques for artificial snow.
on Friday 11 July 2008
by Angelo Bonorino
by Angelo Bonorino
In recent decades, almost all major ski resorts were equipped with devices for producing artificial snow or "planned", necessary to secure sciiabilità not bound to the irregularity of snowfall.
The so-called "snow guns" are all based on the same principle but are of various types and conditions and different modes of operation.
The operation of a snow-covered conceptually very simple, and try to reproduce the natural conditions in which the presence of low temperatures, are found suspended in the atmosphere of nucleation seeds and disperse moisture. In open area the temperature conditions are not easily modifiable, and so the guns can act substantially on the other two factors, the two key components of innevaori are so NUCLEATOR and sprayers.
An atomiser NUCLEATOR is a bi-phasic, or a device at low temperature air and water are chopped together creating the first microscopic particles of ice, known as germ nucleation.Nozzles have the task to pulverize the water in the air and create the conditions so that moisture due to low temperatures, the seed for nucleation of new particles incorporating ice-water and swells up to become a staple.
The process of magnification of a seed of nucleation is a transformation that involves the transfer of heat from the system to atmosphere and it takes time for the formation of crystals (the so-called "flight time"). Usually are different types of snow depending on the mode of nucleation and the technique used to secure a "time of flight" adequate.
Low Pressure.
They are composed by a cylindrical length of about one meter with a fan at one end and the nozzles and NUCLEATOR arranged in one or more concentric crowns to the opposite. I NUCLEATOR are usually found on the outer corona of the mouth of the gun and are usually far below the nozzles.The large number of nozzles and the variety of exit holes, often adjustable, making this device highly versatile and adaptable to various climatic conditions. The ejection of drops from the gun is obtained mainly through the hood, which usually allows the transport of the drops over long distances. The compressor for the compressed area is usually located at the base of the gun and together with the turbine, if not properly maintained, is a source of heat that could impair the quality of snow. The advantage of the solution at low pressure is the remarkable versatility: they are autonomous in the production of compressed air, can even be mounted on the snow cats. They can also shoot large amounts of snow (500 l / min).
High pressure
These snow are provided by a variable length (3-8 meters) over which is placed a cylindrical head which mixed air and water. The spray of water is obtained by passing through a nozzle for the emission of a mixture water and highly compressed air.The expansion of the compressed air at atmospheric pressure leads to a significant cooling of the water that allows us to produce artificial snow at temperatures higher than the low-pressure system. The advantage of this type of snow is ease of use and reliability, mainly due to the lack of external components at auction (compressors, fans). The main disadvantage is related to the high electricity consumption for the production of compressed air because they need big snow compressors (power is about 200-400kW) that blowjob air at various wells in which the pipes are located, usually placed parallel to the pipeline water. Computerized control mechanisms to ensure these systems, the best yield in relation to moisture, temperature and wind speed.
Spear guns
This is the latest generation of snow which is finding support among many managers of districts. It consists of a shaft height of 6-10 meters to the summit of which a head sitrova hosting NUCLEATOR and nozzles. The production method is similar to that of low-pressure guns.The time of flight is not achieved by the fan but with the height of the spraying. Usually these devices have lower operating temperatures of the other devices. As described above, the crystals of natural snow usually formed around a germ of nucleation on where water molecules can condense. These particles are essential for the formation of snow crystals, distilled water, free of impurities, can remain in liquid form even at a temperature of -40 ° C. The increase in the number of seeds of nucleation can result in increased crop yields of artificial snow and this principle is the basis of the use of additives such as bacterial proteins. The proteins of the cell wall of many bacteria are characterized by substantial ownership and encourage the optimum freezing temperature of water at next to 0 ° C. These bacteria are commonly found in nature on different plant species such as wheat, oats and barley and their freeze-dried cells are currently used as additives in the production of artificial snow.These products are generally sold in pellets, which are dissolved in water for the production of artificial snow. The use of these additives leads to a higher amount of snow, lighter and more workable.
The so-called "snow guns" are all based on the same principle but are of various types and conditions and different modes of operation.
The first job is scheduled dell'innevamento trace the winter 1948, in Connecticut (USA), thanks to the initiative of an operator of a ski resort which, to address the lack of snow, he decided to carry on the ski slopes around 500 tons of ice which, when processed, allowed the opening of the station for about two weeks. The costs were high, however, and during the next manager of the area presented a prototype machine for the production of artificial snow which became operational in 1950.
The operation of a snow-covered conceptually very simple, and try to reproduce the natural conditions in which the presence of low temperatures, are found suspended in the atmosphere of nucleation seeds and disperse moisture. In open area the temperature conditions are not easily modifiable, and so the guns can act substantially on the other two factors, the two key components of innevaori are so NUCLEATOR and sprayers.
An atomiser NUCLEATOR is a bi-phasic, or a device at low temperature air and water are chopped together creating the first microscopic particles of ice, known as germ nucleation.Nozzles have the task to pulverize the water in the air and create the conditions so that moisture due to low temperatures, the seed for nucleation of new particles incorporating ice-water and swells up to become a staple.
The process of magnification of a seed of nucleation is a transformation that involves the transfer of heat from the system to atmosphere and it takes time for the formation of crystals (the so-called "flight time"). Usually are different types of snow depending on the mode of nucleation and the technique used to secure a "time of flight" adequate.
 Source: www.technoalpin.com |
They are composed by a cylindrical length of about one meter with a fan at one end and the nozzles and NUCLEATOR arranged in one or more concentric crowns to the opposite. I NUCLEATOR are usually found on the outer corona of the mouth of the gun and are usually far below the nozzles.The large number of nozzles and the variety of exit holes, often adjustable, making this device highly versatile and adaptable to various climatic conditions. The ejection of drops from the gun is obtained mainly through the hood, which usually allows the transport of the drops over long distances. The compressor for the compressed area is usually located at the base of the gun and together with the turbine, if not properly maintained, is a source of heat that could impair the quality of snow. The advantage of the solution at low pressure is the remarkable versatility: they are autonomous in the production of compressed air, can even be mounted on the snow cats. They can also shoot large amounts of snow (500 l / min).
 Source: www.snowstar.it |
These snow are provided by a variable length (3-8 meters) over which is placed a cylindrical head which mixed air and water. The spray of water is obtained by passing through a nozzle for the emission of a mixture water and highly compressed air.The expansion of the compressed air at atmospheric pressure leads to a significant cooling of the water that allows us to produce artificial snow at temperatures higher than the low-pressure system. The advantage of this type of snow is ease of use and reliability, mainly due to the lack of external components at auction (compressors, fans). The main disadvantage is related to the high electricity consumption for the production of compressed air because they need big snow compressors (power is about 200-400kW) that blowjob air at various wells in which the pipes are located, usually placed parallel to the pipeline water. Computerized control mechanisms to ensure these systems, the best yield in relation to moisture, temperature and wind speed.
 Source: www.yorkneige.com |
This is the latest generation of snow which is finding support among many managers of districts. It consists of a shaft height of 6-10 meters to the summit of which a head sitrova hosting NUCLEATOR and nozzles. The production method is similar to that of low-pressure guns.The time of flight is not achieved by the fan but with the height of the spraying. Usually these devices have lower operating temperatures of the other devices. As described above, the crystals of natural snow usually formed around a germ of nucleation on where water molecules can condense. These particles are essential for the formation of snow crystals, distilled water, free of impurities, can remain in liquid form even at a temperature of -40 ° C. The increase in the number of seeds of nucleation can result in increased crop yields of artificial snow and this principle is the basis of the use of additives such as bacterial proteins. The proteins of the cell wall of many bacteria are characterized by substantial ownership and encourage the optimum freezing temperature of water at next to 0 ° C. These bacteria are commonly found in nature on different plant species such as wheat, oats and barley and their freeze-dried cells are currently used as additives in the production of artificial snow.These products are generally sold in pellets, which are dissolved in water for the production of artificial snow. The use of these additives leads to a higher amount of snow, lighter and more workable.
Surveys conducted in the United States and other nations do not seem to show effects from the use of these additives and currently about half of the ski areas in North America uses them. Of course the snow are the most important part of a snowmaking machines, but a good production of snow can not be separated from the perfect functioning of the water inlets, pumping stations, pipelines for water and air, the distribution lines of electricity, the heat-humidity sensors, compressor stations , any cooling towers.
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