JPH0571728B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a maintenance method for maintaining the quality of artificial snow on an indoor artificial ski slope in a good skiing condition at all times.

[Prior art]

This type of indoor artificial ski resort creates a ski slope by falling and accumulating artificial snow on a sloped floor built inside a room that is kept cool at below 0 degrees Celsius. It is generally known that the indoor temperature is constantly maintained below freezing in order to ensure the quality of artificial snow on the slopes.

Maintaining this indoor temperature below freezing is due to the heat generated (heat load) of indoor artificial ski resorts that affects the snow accumulation on the slopes, such as ``heat intruding from the outer wall'', ``invading heat from the ground'', and ``indoor These include ``latent heat and sensible heat of water vapor and water droplets,'' ``heat generated and radiant heat from indoor machinery,'' and ``heat generated by humans.''
This is done by air conditioning using air conditioning equipment that has a cooling load for the heat generated.

[Problems to be solved by this invention]

However, although artificial snow on the ski slopes does not melt due to air temperature in principle due to the temperature setting of the ski slope air conditioner, snow crystals may continue to crystallize due to compacted snow, frictional heat, and radiant heat from lighting during skiing. The quality of the snow changes.

In other words, the snow structure on the ski slopes at indoor artificial ski resorts consists of a non-melting area (root snow area t = 30cm) with high snow quality in both hardness and density, and a non-melting area (root snow area t = 30cm) where crystallization has not progressed, which has a large effect on the feeling of skiing. It is divided into a covered snow area (surface layer t=1cm) that requires good snow quality. Even with sufficient air conditioning, the snow quality at the covered snow area, which is the surface of the ski slope, deteriorates due to the frictional heat associated with skiing and changes in snow particles over time. The snow in the non-melting area deteriorates due to heat entering from the floor (ground).

On the other hand, in the past, if snow was created in the non-snow melting area at the beginning of construction and before the start of operation,
Since then, there has been no need for routine maintenance during business hours. In addition, the cover snow section has always had to have a slope suitable for skiing, which has been a challenge.

For these reasons, there has been a demand for an appropriate method and device for maintaining snow quality on ski slopes.

This invention was devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to always keep the cover snow part on the surface and the unmelted snow part in the deep layer of the artificial snow on the slope in good condition, and to use various heat sources. To provide a method for maintaining snow quality on a ski slope, which can quickly cope with changes in snow quality caused by the progress of crystallization of snow crystals and maintain the quality of snow on a slope.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Maintaining the snow quality on the ski slopes at the indoor artificial ski resort of the present invention involves replacing new snow with old snow in the covered snow areas of the ski slopes and ensuring snow quality in non-melting areas as follows: This is done by performing as described in .

Replacement of new snow with old snow in the cover snow area (surface layer) The snow-covered area of the ski slope is divided into the ``cover snow area used for skiing'' (surface layer) and the ``unmelted snow area that is a necessary structure during maintenance and when bumps occur'' (root snow) section) and replace only the governor snow section. Note that the non-snow-melting area can be prevented from freezing by keeping the room temperature below freezing and not melting.

In order to replace the cover snow area, the same type of snow removal machine as the maintenance vehicles used at outdoor ski resorts is used to remove the surface snow from the existing snow, where snow crystals have already formed, and at the same time remove the same amount of snow. New snow is replaced by making snow and accumulating snow.

In addition, the artificial snow at this time is made by freezing water droplets in the form of mist to create artificial snow, thereby obtaining snow quality close to that of natural snow. To freeze water droplets,
In addition to sensible heat, it is necessary to provide 80 Kcal of freezing latent heat to 1 liter of water, which accounts for a large proportion of the heat load of air conditioning equipment.

Therefore, in this invention, the snow removed by the same amount of snow removal as the amount of new snow making is melted at the same time as snow making. By recovering the latent heat of 80 Kcal per 1 kg obtained by turning the snow into water,
The overall heat load will be reduced, air conditioning equipment will be downsized, and running costs will be reduced.

Ensuring snow quality in the non-melting snow area (root snow area) Heat intrusion from the ski slope surface is dealt with by ensuring snow quality in the covered snow area as described above, but heat intrusion from the slope floor surface In order to deal with this, ensuring the quality of snow in non-melting areas is done using the following two methods.

Double-floor structure The ski slope floor has a double-layer structure, with a space formed below the floor surface where the non-snow melting area is covered with snow, and this space is used as the supply zone for the air conditioning duct. This space (supply zone) is always maintained at a sub-zero temperature to prevent outside air from entering from the slope floor.

Cooling with slope cooling pipes Cooling pipes similar to those at a skating rink are placed within the slope floor to actively cool the slope, thereby preventing heat from penetrating from the slope.

Then, one of the above two methods is selected depending on the situation.

〔Example〕

The method for maintaining snow quality on a ski slope according to the present invention will be explained below with reference to embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

As a general rule, the snow 3 on the slope 2 at the indoor artificial ski resort 1 (see Figure 1) melts depending on the temperature, since the indoor area 4 is always kept below 0°C by the setting of the slope air conditioner 5. There isn't. However, due to the compacted snow, frictional heat, and radiant heat from lighting during skiing, the crystallization of snow crystals progresses and the snow quality changes. Is required.

The structure of the snowfall 3 on this slope 2 is the non-melting snow area 6 (t=
(approximately 30 cm), and a covered snow portion 7 (t = approximately 1 cm) that requires unsintered snow to have a significant effect on the feeling of sliding.

Here, the non-snow melting section 6 is constructed with snow before starting operation at the beginning of construction, but basically does not require routine maintenance thereafter.

However, the cover snow part 7 is affected by a decrease in the frictional resistance value of the running surface due to frictional heat during skiing and radiant heat from compacted snow and lighting, a decrease in the thickness t of the cover snow part 7 due to being scraped off during skiing turns, and contamination of the indoor air. In consideration of snow stains caused by skiers, etc., the snow cover 3 of the cover snow section 7 should be replaced and
Replenish and regenerate. Furthermore, during midsummer, when the ski slope air conditioning system is overloaded, the non-snow melting section 6 is regenerated and used as a cover snow section.

As an example of equipment that actually replaces, replenishes, and regenerates the snow in the cover snow section 7,
(see figure), a ski slope air conditioner 5 that constantly maintains the interior 4 of the indoor artificial ski resort 1 at 0° C. or lower;
A snow-making device 11 consisting of a blower section 8, a compressed air supply section 9, and a snow blower equipment 10, a water supply device 12 that supplies water to the snow-making device 11, and a snow-melting device 13 that makes water to the water supply device 12. and a snow supply device 14 that supplies snow to the snow melting device 13.

This equipment repeatedly melts snow and makes snow in a closed cycle. Under ideal conditions, snow can be made by using melted water to replace new snow, but as wax and other dirt from skis is repeatedly recycled, it accumulates and creates clean new snow. It is thought that there will be no snow.

Therefore, the water supply device 12 here is designed to handle 2/2 of the snow-making amount.
3 is recycled water from the snow melting device 13, and the remaining 1/3 is new supplementary water. The replaced recycled water is then discharged into the sewer.

Note that this water supply device 12 is provided with a water supply cooling unit 15 that keeps the water supply at +2° C. or lower, since the conditions for supplying snow-making water to the snow-making device 11 are water temperatures of 0 to +4° C. However, after business hours, snow making equipment 1
The snow-making water supplied to No. 1 is cooled by the heat of melting during snow melting.

On the other hand, the snow-making water in the non-snow melting section 6 before the start of business is cooled to the above specifications by a refrigerator (not shown) of the ski slope air conditioner 5.

The snow melting device 13 (see Figures 1 and 2) is
The snow that has been removed is stored at the bottom of the slope, and the stored snow is transferred to the snow melting tank 1 by the slope maintenance vehicle 16.
7 for melting treatment. Here, the reference numeral 20 in the figure is a snow melting jet device that melts the snow sent to the snow melting tank 17, and the reference numeral 21 is a snow melting jet device that melts the snow sent to the snow melting tank 17.
The gutter below the snow melting water flow that collects the melted snow at 7, code 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a cooling water tank to which snowmelt water from the lower gutter 21 is sent; reference numeral 23 refers to a cooling drainage tank to which snowmelt water from the cooling water tank 22 is sent via the evaporator 24 and makeup water is supplied; reference numeral 25 is a pump that sends snow melting water to the snow melting jet device 20 and the air conditioner 5.

The heat of melting during snow melting is used for cooling snow-making water supplied to the snow-making device 11, cooling water for the air conditioner 5, and the like.

The snow supply device 14 is a device that cuts the removed snow pile according to the snow melting capacity of the snow melting tank 16. In this embodiment, a ski slope maintenance vehicle 15 is used for pushing snow piles. Also snow melting tank 1
6, a screw feeder (not shown) is installed.

Artificial snow is made using such equipment depending on the raw material conditions (water particle size, density,
temperature, the same amount of air, temperature, humidity, etc.) and the environmental setting conditions of the ski slope air conditioner 5 (airflow, room temperature,
temperature) and equipment range conditions for various ski slope equipment such as the water supply device 12, snow melting device 13, snow supply device 14, etc. In addition, since each of them influences each other, maintenance and management is carried out using the three devices of "snow making", "piste air conditioning", and "piste equipment" and the method of maintaining snow quality of the piste of the present invention that effectively operates them. do.

FIG. 3 shows an actual method of maintaining snow quality in a non-snow melting area 6 according to the present invention in order to deal with heat intrusion from the slope floor surface rather than from the slope surface as described above. This shows the equipment.

Here, the lower part of the ski slope floor 18 is made into a double structure, and a space 18 is formed in the lower part of the floor 18 where the non-snow melting part 6 accumulates snow, and this space 19 is used as a supply zone for the air conditioning duct. And this space part 1
9 (supply zone) is always kept in a sub-zero atmosphere to prevent outside air from entering from the slope floor 18.

In addition to this embodiment, by arranging a cooling pipe (not shown), such as a skating rink, inside the ski slope floor 18 to actively cool the slope floor 18, the water from the slope floor 18 can be cooled. It can also prevent heat intrusion.

By selecting one of the above two methods according to the situation, heat intrusion from the ski slope floor 18 can be dealt with, and the snow accumulation 3 non-melting area of the slope 2 in the indoor artificial ski resort 1 can be reduced. 6 snow quality can be maintained.

As described above, by carrying out the method of the present invention, replacing new snow with old snow in the cover snow part of the ski slope, and ensuring snow quality in the non-melting part, the snow quality of the ski slope at an indoor artificial ski resort can be maintained. It can be performed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the method of this invention, the snow quality of the covered snow area, which is the surface of the ski slope, is affected by "frictional heat associated with skiing" and "changes in snow particles over time," and the unmelted snow, which is the deepest part of the slope that is in contact with the slope floor. It is possible to quickly deal with the fact that the snow on the floor deteriorates due to heat intruding from the floor (ground).

Therefore, it is possible to prevent and regenerate snow crystals from changing snow quality due to snow compaction, frictional heat, and radiant heat from lighting during skiing.
The quality of snow on the slopes can be maintained reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing maintenance equipment at an indoor artificial ski resort that performs the method of maintaining ski slope snow quality of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a snow melting device of the maintenance equipment.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing equipment for maintaining snow quality that deals with heat infiltration from the ski slope floor. 1...Indoor artificial ski resort, 2...Slope, 3
... Snowfall, 4 ... Indoors, 5 ... Ski slope air conditioner, 6 ... Non-snow melting section, 7 ... Cover snow section, 8
...Blower section, 9...Compressed air supply section, 10...Snow equipment, 11...Snow making device, 12...Water supply device,
13...Snow melting device, 14...Snow supply device, 15...
...Water cooling unit, 16...Slope maintenance vehicle, 17...
...Snow melting tank, 18...Slope floor, 19...Space, 20...Snow melting jet device, 21...Snow melting water flow lower gutter, 22...Cooling water tank, 23...Cooling drainage tank, 24...Ever conditioner, 25...Pump.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. The snow covered area on the slope of an indoor artificial ski resort is divided into a surface covered snow area and a deep unmelted snow area, and the replacement of new snow with old snow in the covered snow area and the unmelted snow area. The snow quality of the ski slopes at indoor artificial ski resorts will be maintained by separately implementing measures to ensure the snow quality of the covered snow areas. By the same type of snow removal machine,
This is done by removing the surface snow of already fallen snow where snow crystals have progressed to crystallization, and at the same time creating and accumulating the same amount of new artificial snow. In addition, the snow removed by removing the same amount of snow as the amount of new snow made is melted at the same time as the snow is made, and the latent heat obtained by turning the snow into water is recovered and used for cooling. To ensure the quality of the snow in the non-melting areas, the ski slope floor has a double structure, with a space formed below the floor surface where the non-melting snow accumulates, and this space is used as a supply zone for the air conditioning duct to maintain a constant sub-zero atmosphere. Depending on the situation, one of the two methods is to actively cool the ski slope floor by placing a cooling pipe like a skating rink inside the ski slope floor. A method for maintaining snow quality on a ski slope at an indoor artificial ski resort, which is characterized by preventing outside air from entering from the slope floor surface by selecting the slope.