WO1999017067A1 - Procede et dispositif pour produire de la neige - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif pour produire de la neige Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999017067A1
WO1999017067A1 PCT/NL1998/000524 NL9800524W WO9917067A1 WO 1999017067 A1 WO1999017067 A1 WO 1999017067A1 NL 9800524 W NL9800524 W NL 9800524W WO 9917067 A1 WO9917067 A1 WO 9917067A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hall
snow
liquid
gas
maximum
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL1998/000524
Other languages
English (en)
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Freerk Wiersema
Original Assignee
Graaf Jan Douwe De
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Graaf Jan Douwe De filed Critical Graaf Jan Douwe De
Priority to EP98943107A priority Critical patent/EP1019661B1/fr
Priority to AU90973/98A priority patent/AU9097398A/en
Priority to DE69829395T priority patent/DE69829395T2/de
Publication of WO1999017067A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999017067A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C3/00—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow
    • F25C3/04—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Producing artificial snow for sledging or ski trails; Producing artificial snow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2303/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice or snow for winter sports or similar recreational purposes, e.g. for sporting installations; Special arrangements or features for producing artificial snow
    • F25C2303/048—Snow making by using means for spraying water
    • F25C2303/0481—Snow making by using means for spraying water with the use of compressed air

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for preparing snow, in particular in a hall intended for winter sports, comprising the steps of: bringing the hall to a temperature below freezing point ; supplying a liquid for freezing to the hall and atomizing the liquid in the hall using a gas.
  • a method for preparing snow in particular in a hall intended for winter sports, comprising the steps of: bringing the hall to a temperature below freezing point ; supplying a liquid for freezing to the hall and atomizing the liquid in the hall using a gas.
  • the volume ratio of the gas and the liquid preferably lies between 150 and 1200 Nm 3 /m 3 and more preferably between 165 and 500 Nm 3 /m 3 .
  • very well usable snow can be prepared with a relatively small quantity of gas under pressure.
  • the gas is preferably supplied at a pressure of a maximum of 8 barg and more preferably a maximum of 6 barg, whereby with little power sufficient small droplets are still formed and a considerable snow-preparing capacity is also obtained.
  • the average size of the atomized liquid particles preferably amounts to a maximum of 75 ⁇ m (SMD) , more preferably a maximum of 55 ⁇ m (SMD) and most preferably a maximum of 35 ⁇ m (SMD) , wherein SMD stands for the Sauter Mean Diameter, defined as the diameter of a droplet which has the same ratio between surface area and volume as exists between the surface area of all droplets together and the volume of all droplets .
  • SMD stands for the Sauter Mean Diameter, defined as the diameter of a droplet which has the same ratio between surface area and volume as exists between the surface area of all droplets together and the volume of all droplets .
  • SMD stands for the Sauter Mean Diameter, defined as the diameter of a droplet which has the same ratio between surface area and volume as exists between the surface area of all droplets together and the volume of all droplets .
  • SMD stands for the Sauter Mean Diameter, defined as the diameter of a droplet which has the same ratio between surface area and volume as exists between the surface
  • This temperature reduction can herein take place by introducing cold air into the hall, wherein the liquid mist is then preferably carried into the hall substantially transversely of the direction of flow of the cold air.
  • An intensive contact between the liquid mist and the cold air is hereby achieved, resulting in a rapid freezing of the liquid mist.
  • the liquid mist is preferably distributed uniformly in the hall, as calculated in surface area as well as in time.
  • a snow layer with an even thickness is hereby formed in the hall, which is therefore relatively flat, while by applying the snow layer spread over time the maximum cooling capacity required for preparing the snow remains relatively low.
  • the hall can herein be divided into compartments for preparation of the snow and snow can be prepared in one compartment at a time. In this manner the atmospheric conditions (in particular the temperature) can be optimally adjusted in that part of the hall where snow production is taking place.
  • preparation preferably takes place in a period of decreased outside temperatures, such as at night.
  • This has the added advantage that such a winter sports hall will generally be closed at night, whereby no heat is introduced into the hall by visitors.
  • a large number of energy consumers such as lighting, lift systems and the like will then be switched off, whereby extra power is available for preparing snow.
  • the invention also relates to an apparatus for preparing snow, in particular in a hall intended for winter sports, provided with cold-generating means for bringing the temperature in the hall below freezing point, means for supplying to the hall a liquid for freezing and means connected to the liquid supply means for atomizing the liquid in the hall using a gas.
  • Such an apparatus is likewise known from the American patent 5,102,044.
  • the invention now has for its object to adapt this apparatus such that the above described method can be performed therewith.
  • the atomizing means are connected to a source of gas under a pressure of a maximum of 12 barg and are adapted to atomize the liquid at a gas/liquid ratio lying between 125 and 2000 Nm 3 /m 3 .
  • the atomizing means preferably comprise at least one spray nozzle connected to the liquid supply means and the source of gas under pressure.
  • the liquid and the gas can be mixed in this spray nozzle and they can be atomized simultaneously as a result of the high pressure thereof.
  • the spray nozzle further has mechanical atomizing means, for instance in the form of a target surface, whereby the jet of liquid flowing into the spray nozzle is already broken up into small droplets before being further atomized by the gas flow.
  • the spray nozzle When the spray nozzle is movable the liquid atomized thereby can be spread in even distribution across the hall.
  • the cold-generating means are preferably adapted to blow a flow of cold air into the hall, wherein the spray nozzle is preferably directed transversely of the flow direction of the cold air in order to obtain optimum contact between the atomized liquid and the cold air flow.
  • a plurality of alternately operable spray nozzles are preferably arranged spread over the hall, whereby snow can be prepared in the whole hall evenly and using relatively little power.
  • displaceable partition elements can be arranged in the hall between the spray nozzles, whereby more cold can be supplied locally.
  • figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a hall for winter sports with a snow preparing apparatus according to the invention
  • figure 2 shows a cross-section through a spray nozzle for use in the snow preparing apparatus according to the invention
  • figure 3 is a diagram showing the operational range of the snow preparing apparatus
  • figure 4 shows a diagram of the power demand during normal use of the hall and during the snow preparation.
  • a hall 1 for practising winter sports, such as skiing, snow boarding and the like, is provided with a slope 2, which in usual manner takes a slightly stepshaped form.
  • two cold machines 3 are present placed on either side of hall 1, each of which draws in air as according to arrow I and, after it has been cooled to below freezing point, distributes the air into hall 1 via a conduit 4 which is suspended from the roof 5 of hall 1 and has a number of blow-out openings 6 arranged spread in longitudinal direction.
  • the cold air herein flows initially into hall 1 as according to arrows C and is eventually extracted by fans 11 at one of the short sides 7 of hall 1, whereby a cold air flow is established in longitudinal direction of hall 1.
  • the extracted cold air is recirculated by the ventilators to the associated cold machine 3 and there cooled again to the desired temperature.
  • blow-out openings could for instance be arranged on the short sides of the hall and extraction could take place centrally in the hall . In this manner an air flow in longitudinal direction of the hall could for instance also be generated.
  • spray nozzles 9 are arranged on the long sides 8 thereof. In the shown embodiment these spray nozzles 9 are movable in both vertical and horizontal direction as according to arrows V and H, in order to obtain an even spraying pattern.
  • Spray nozzles 9 are each connected to a liquid supply conduit and a source of gas under pressure, generally compressed air (not shown here) .
  • spray nozzles 9 the supplied liquid, usually water, is atomized under the influence of the compressed air and the internal form of spray nozzle 9, whereafter the atomized liquid is sprayed into hall 1 in the form of a cone 10. There the liquid particles freeze as a result of the low temperature and descend in the form of snow crystals.
  • displaceable partitions for instance in the form of insulating curtains 31, are arranged at different locations in hall 1.
  • Hall 1 can hereby be divided into compartments 12 and snow can be prepared in one compartment at a time. This is important because in the preparation of snow the freezing heat is released from the mist droplets.
  • the temperature in the relevant compartment 12 hereby increases.
  • Spray nozzle 9 can be formed by a housing 13 which has a connection 14 for a liquid supply conduit L in addition to a connection 15 for an air supply conduit A. Both connections 14, 15 are connected to a mixing chamber 16 via respectively a passage 17 and an annular chamber
  • the liquid L is atomized and subsequently sprayed out in the form of a mist of very fine droplets of uniformly distributed size through a number of apertures 22 in the wall of spray nozzle 9.
  • the apparatus according to the invention as described above is of extremely simple construction, it is very suitable for later incorporation into existing winter sports halls, for instance as replacement for a snow preparing apparatus on the basis of nitrogen.
  • Large savings can hereby be achieved in respect of the raw materials used, since nitrogen as cold producer for the preparation of snow cannot be used very efficiently and is therefore relatively expensive.
  • nitrogen as cold producer for the preparation of snow cannot be used very efficiently and is therefore relatively expensive.
  • This is the result of the fact the in the preparation of snow an evaporation temperature in the order of -10 °C is used, while the used nitrogen will have a temperature in liquid form of about -200 °C.
  • the working conditions in the hall during snow production are considerably improved by replacing nitrogen with compressed air.
  • the preparation of the snow preferably takes place when the outside temperatures are relatively low, therefore usually at night.
  • the power then required to maintain the temperature in hall 1 at the desired value (area 28) is considerably lower than during the day (area 25) .
  • the power surplus 21 of cold machine 3, which is anyway dimensioned for the power requirement during the day, can then be used for the snow preparation. No additional cooling capacity need hereby be installed for preparing the snow.
  • the snow preparation at night has the added advantage that at that time other energy consumers, such as the lighting and the ski lifts (area 26) , as well as the electricity supply for secondary work areas, such as catering facilities (area 27) , will also be switched off, so that the total quantity of power drawn by the total installation from the mains electricity will also be lower at that moment.
  • This power surplus 20 can then also be used for snow preparation without this resulting in extra peak loads on the mains and the associated cost to the user.
  • the examples below indicate some working points of the snow preparing apparatus according to the invention which show how relatively large quantities of high- quality snow can be made at relatively low pressures and small quantities of air.
  • Air at a temperature of 24 °C and a pressure of 7.5 barg is taken as starting point.
  • This compressed air is supplied to spray nozzle 9 and used to atomize water supplied at a temperature of 12 °C.
  • the air/water ratio is set at 600 Nm 3 /m 3 .
  • the temperature in hall 1 amounts to -4.5 °C.
  • a mist is created with an average droplet size of 30 ⁇ m (SMD) .
  • SMD average droplet size
  • the starting point here is air at the same temperature of 24 °C but with a pressure of 7.0 barg.
  • This compressed air is again supplied to spray nozzle 9 and used to atomize water supplied at a temperature of 14 °C.
  • the air/water ratio is now set at 250 Nm 3 /m 3 .
  • the temperature in hall 1 amounts to -2.0 °C. Under these conditions a mist is created with an average droplet size of 50 ⁇ m (SMD) which, when frozen, forms snow crystals which can be designated as "compact snow”.
  • This snow type is also very suitable to function as upper layer.
  • EXAMPLE 3 In this example air at a temperature of 26 °C and a pressure of 6.4 barg is supplied to spray nozzle 9 and used to atomize water which is once again supplied at a temperature of 14 °C.
  • the air/water ratio is herein set at 140 Nm 3 /m 3 .
  • the temperature in hall 1 is reduced to -3.0 °C.
  • a mist is now formed with an average droplet size of 65 ⁇ m (SMD) which, when frozen, forms snow crystals which can be designated as "slushy snow".
  • SMD average droplet size
  • This snow is suitable to serve as bottom layer and is therefore made specifically at the beginning of a snow preparation cycle so as to arrange as thick a snow layer as possible on the base floor in a relatively short time.
  • the above described measurement points are shown in the diagram of figure 3 , which clearly shows that the "looseness" of the snow, which is of course closely related to the average size of the atomized droplets, increases as the gas/liquid ratio increases and the temperature decreases.
  • the hatched areas 23 and 24 herein represent those combinations of parameters wherein respectively powder snow and compact snow are obtained, while the values of the parameters in the area on the left-hand side and above line 29 correspond with the preparation of slushy snow.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de production de neige, notamment dans une salle de sports d'hiver. Ledit procédé consiste à: faire descendre la température de la salle au-dessous du point de gel; envoyer dans la salle, un liquide destiné à être gelé et à atomiser ledit liquide dans la salle au moyen d'un gaz qui est fourni à une pression inférieure à un maximum de 12 barg, le rapport volumique entre le gaz et le liquide étant compris entre 125 et 2 000 Nm3/m3. La taille moyenne des particules de liquide atomisées peut atteindre un maximum de 75 νm (SMD, diamètre moyen de Sauter). La salle peut être divisée en compartiments pour la production de neige, laquelle peut être produite dans un compartiment à la fois. L'invention porte aussi sur un appareil pour la mise en oeuvre dudit procédé. Pour permettre l'atomisation du liquide à geler, cet appareil peut être équipé d'une ou plusieurs buses de pulvérisation éventuellement mobiles.
PCT/NL1998/000524 1997-10-01 1998-09-10 Procede et dispositif pour produire de la neige WO1999017067A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98943107A EP1019661B1 (fr) 1997-10-01 1998-09-10 Procede et dispositif pour produire de la neige
AU90973/98A AU9097398A (en) 1997-10-01 1998-09-10 Method and device for preparing snow
DE69829395T DE69829395T2 (de) 1997-10-01 1998-09-10 Verfahren und vorrichtung zum herstellen von schnee

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1007187 1997-10-01
NL1007187A NL1007187C2 (nl) 1997-10-01 1997-10-01 Werkwijze en inrichting voor het bereiden van sneeuw.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999017067A1 true WO1999017067A1 (fr) 1999-04-08

Family

ID=19765777

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL1998/000524 WO1999017067A1 (fr) 1997-10-01 1998-09-10 Procede et dispositif pour produire de la neige

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1019661B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU9097398A (fr)
DE (1) DE69829395T2 (fr)
NL (1) NL1007187C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999017067A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1653172A2 (fr) 2004-10-26 2006-05-03 Innovag AG Aktiengesellschaft für innovative Industrietechnik Stockage de neige
DE102008017620A1 (de) * 2008-04-04 2009-11-19 Snowbox Schnee- Und Eistechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee, insbesondere Schneedüse, bzw. Schnee-Erzeugungs-Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3774842A (en) * 1972-08-14 1973-11-27 Hedco Method of preserving ice nuclei for snow formation
US3829013A (en) * 1971-11-03 1974-08-13 H Ratnik Snow making apparatus
US4145000A (en) * 1977-01-14 1979-03-20 Smith Fergus S Snow-making nozzle assembly
US4790531A (en) * 1985-11-19 1988-12-13 Kajima Corporation Indoor ski slope and apparatus for making snow thereon
JPH02183783A (ja) * 1989-01-09 1990-07-18 Nkk Corp 人工造雪方法
US5102044A (en) 1988-09-30 1992-04-07 Nkk Corporation Method for producing snow and apparatus therefor
JPH05256548A (ja) * 1992-03-12 1993-10-05 Kajima Corp 屋内人工スキー場における造雪・空調装置
JPH0755307A (ja) * 1993-08-09 1995-03-03 Nkk Corp 屋内人工スキー場における造雪方法
JPH07332823A (ja) * 1994-06-09 1995-12-22 Taikisha Ltd 人工雪層形成方法

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3829013A (en) * 1971-11-03 1974-08-13 H Ratnik Snow making apparatus
US3774842A (en) * 1972-08-14 1973-11-27 Hedco Method of preserving ice nuclei for snow formation
US4145000A (en) * 1977-01-14 1979-03-20 Smith Fergus S Snow-making nozzle assembly
US4790531A (en) * 1985-11-19 1988-12-13 Kajima Corporation Indoor ski slope and apparatus for making snow thereon
US5102044A (en) 1988-09-30 1992-04-07 Nkk Corporation Method for producing snow and apparatus therefor
JPH02183783A (ja) * 1989-01-09 1990-07-18 Nkk Corp 人工造雪方法
JPH05256548A (ja) * 1992-03-12 1993-10-05 Kajima Corp 屋内人工スキー場における造雪・空調装置
JPH0755307A (ja) * 1993-08-09 1995-03-03 Nkk Corp 屋内人工スキー場における造雪方法
JPH07332823A (ja) * 1994-06-09 1995-12-22 Taikisha Ltd 人工雪層形成方法

Non-Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 014, no. 460 (M - 1032) 4 October 1990 (1990-10-04) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 018, no. 023 (M - 1541) 14 January 1994 (1994-01-14) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no. 006 31 July 1995 (1995-07-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 096, no. 004 30 April 1996 (1996-04-30) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1653172A2 (fr) 2004-10-26 2006-05-03 Innovag AG Aktiengesellschaft für innovative Industrietechnik Stockage de neige
EP1653172A3 (fr) * 2004-10-26 2008-01-23 Innovag AG Aktiengesellschaft für innovative Industrietechnik Stockage de neige
DE102008017620A1 (de) * 2008-04-04 2009-11-19 Snowbox Schnee- Und Eistechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee, insbesondere Schneedüse, bzw. Schnee-Erzeugungs-Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee
DE102008017620B4 (de) * 2008-04-04 2010-04-08 Snowbox Schnee- Und Eistechnik Gmbh Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von Schnee, insbesondere Schneedüse, bzw. Schnee-Erzeugungs-Vorrichtung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1019661A1 (fr) 2000-07-19
DE69829395D1 (de) 2005-04-21
AU9097398A (en) 1999-04-23
DE69829395T2 (de) 2005-10-06
EP1019661B1 (fr) 2005-03-16
NL1007187C2 (nl) 1999-04-07

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