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WO2009145771A1 - Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009145771A1
WO2009145771A1 PCT/US2008/065096 US2008065096W WO2009145771A1 WO 2009145771 A1 WO2009145771 A1 WO 2009145771A1 US 2008065096 W US2008065096 W US 2008065096W WO 2009145771 A1 WO2009145771 A1 WO 2009145771A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
snow
nozzle
water
celsius
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2008/065096
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Takumi Ichinomiya
Tomoaki Akiyama
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to PCT/US2008/065096 priority Critical patent/WO2009145771A1/fr
Publication of WO2009145771A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009145771A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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
    • F25C2303/046—Snow making by using low pressure air ventilators, e.g. fan type snow canons
    • 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 disclosure relates to machines, and particularly to snow machines used to make snow. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a snow machine that produces snow at higher atmospheric temperatures.
  • a ski resort In order for a ski resort to attract skiers, sufficient snow must be provided on the slopes for skiing. The longer the ski resort can maintain a snow base on the slopes, the longer the ski resort can operate.
  • Japanese patent application H 10-339532 teaches a method used to maintain the humidity and temperature in enclosed spaces and a method used to secure the height when water mist is sprayed and changed into the snow according to the time of mist falling. Again, this system is not designed to be used outdoors.
  • Japanese patent application JP2001-304732 teaches the method of outdoor snow making and requires the air to have a temperature of O 0 C or less and the dew point O 0 C or less. However, according to this condition, the relative humidity is 100% and water evaporation can not be utilized. Artificial snow making can not be expected using this method.
  • Japanese Patent application JP06-257917 teaches directly injecting into two fluid nozzles on the air side of the snow machine. In this case, right before spouting from the fluid nozzles, the air mixes with water and the cold energy of the air is absorbed into the water. Hence, the advantage of low temperature and low humidity air can not be utilized at all.
  • a snow machine includes a water supply and one or more nozzles that are used to create water droplets used to make snow when the outside temperature is not only O 0 C or less, but also up to +5 0 C.
  • the snow making machine includes a snow accelerator that is provided with an air compressor for compressing air, and equipment that adsorbs moisture from the compressed air.
  • the snow accelerator also includes cooling equipment which cools the low humidity air.
  • the snow accelerator further includes an air expansion valve that subjects the compressed air to decompression expansion and an air nozzle that discharges the modified compressed air from the air expansion valve into the atmosphere adjacent a water jet nozzle of the snow machine.
  • the snow system is controlled by a control device.
  • the modified compressed air which has an absolute humidity of about 0.1 grams per cubic meter (g/m3) or less and a temperature of about -2O 0 C or less, is ejected from a spray nozzle against the water mist being sprayed from the water nozzles of the snow machine to cause the water mist to change into snow ice crystals, making snow.
  • Fig. IA is a flow diagram showing the entire structure of a gun type snow machine
  • Fig. IB is a elevational view of the snow nozzle of Fig. IA showing a high pressure water inlet and a high pressure air inlet;
  • Fig. 2 is an flow diagram showing a snow accelerator combined with a gun type snow machine;
  • FIG. 3 A is a side elevational view showing the snow accelerator nozzle combined with a gun type snow machine
  • Fig. 3B is a front elevational view of the snow accelerator nozzle combined with the water nozzle of the snow machine;
  • FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing the snow accelerator nozzle added to a fan-type snow machine
  • Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of the snow accelerator.
  • Fig. 6 is flow diagram of a separation type of a snow accelerator.
  • a snow accelerator machine 100 is shown coupled to snow machine in the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 2.
  • the present disclosure offers a method and apparatus in which water vapor is evaporated from spray water droplets, cooled and crystallized by use of low temperature air.
  • the conditioned air has a very low temperature and an extremely low humidity. In terms of numeric values, the conditioned air has a temperature of about -4O 0 C, absolute humidity of about 0.02g/m3, and the frost point temperature of about -55 0 C or less.
  • Fig. IA shows a snow gun 102 which is a type of a snow machine 13.
  • the snow gun 102 includes a plurality of nozzles 11 that spray water droplets to form a mist.
  • Nozzles 11 are coupled to a high pressure air supply line 12 and a high pressure water supply line 13. Air and water from the supply lines 12, 13 spout from the nozzles 11 of the snow gun 102.
  • snow accelerator 100 By using snow accelerator 100 and spraying the modified air from nozzles 34, atomized water droplets are frozen at a faster rate, and snow crystals and ice crystals are produced.
  • the compressed air used for snow making by a snow machine 104 is produced by the following method.
  • An air compressor 1 takes in the air from an air intake 2.
  • the atmospheric air has a relative humidity of 80%, a temperature of O 0 C, and an absolute humidity 3.89g/m3.
  • the air temperature climbs to about 3O 0 C.
  • the temperature of the compressed air at this stage is too high, and it is not likely to assist in making snow.
  • the air leaving air compressor 1 is cooled to the temperature of about +5 0 C by cooling device 4. At this temperature the moisture in the air is not frozen by cooling device 4.
  • Water separation filter 3 discharges the saturated water from the compressed air.
  • the discharged air goes through the high pressure air line 12 from a flange 5 and is connected to the air connection 9 of snow gun 102, as shown in Fig. IB.
  • Water used by the snow gun 102 is stored in a storage tank 6 or is supplied by city water lines, as shown, for example, in Fig. IA.
  • the water exits storage tank 6 and passes through filter 7.
  • Filtered water is pressurized to about 1.5 Mpa by a water pump 8, and passes through high pressure water hose 13.
  • High pressure water hose 13 is connected to water connection 10 of nozzle 104.
  • Snow making by a traditional snow machines is done using the method described so far. However, if the outside temperature increased to -3 0 C or greater, snow making is not possible.
  • Snow accelerator 100 is added to snow gun 102 and is used to enhance the snow making abilities of snow gun 102 when less than ideal weather conditions exist (- 3 0 C or greater), as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.
  • Snow accelerator 100 includes an air dehumidifier 54 that comprises two vessels 54(a), 54(b).
  • the first vessel 54(a) adsorbs moisture to dry the air, and the second vessel 54(b) performs the drying process in the event the first vessel 54(a) is offline.
  • Valving is used to selective control the airflow through the vessels 54(a) and 54(b).
  • the air dehumidifier 54 uses moisture absorbent zeolite 56 to absorb the moisture from the air. While zeolite is preferred, other multi- porous moisture absorbent materials can also be used including active alumina, silica gel, molecular sieves, active carbon, which all act as absorbents.
  • the absolute humidity at the frost point temperature is about 0. Ig/m3 at about -4O 0 C. If the temperature is higher than -4O 0 C, frost is not generated in the air stream or related conduits. Thus, if the air is cooled by a freezer 62 to -3O 0 C, frost or ice is not generated inside the air passages.
  • Air at tee 20 of figure 2 passes from a coupler 50 through a dust filter 67, a drain water filter 51, and a check valve 52, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • Air passing through check valve 52 passes through a four way valve 53, and then passes through the first dehumidifying tank 54(a) equipped with zeolite 56.
  • the air exiting dehumidified tank 54 it is dehumidified.
  • Dehumidified tanks 54(a) and 54(b) repeat the dehumidifying process and renewal process alternatively so that one of the two systems is always on line. In general, 15% of dry air created by the dehumidifier tanks is used for renewal.
  • the dehumidified air used for renewal is discharged from a discharge coupler 66, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the dehumidified air passes through a check valve 52 and a filter 57, and is cooled inside the air exchanging device 59, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the cooling medium that was sent out from the freezer 62 is subjected to a throttle expansion by the expansion valve 58.
  • Air from the air expansion valve 58 enters cooling duct coil 60, and is cooled to an evaporation temperature from about -35 0 C to about -4O 0 C.
  • Heat exchanged cooling medium returns and passes through duct 61 and returns to a freezer 62, to form a cooling cycle.
  • the cooling method used is a general cooling method.
  • the cooling system used is required to reach a temperature from about -35 0 C to about - 4O 0 C to sufficiently cool the dehumidified air.
  • the dry air from the dehumidifier was cooled to -3O 0 C which is higher than the frost point temperature and forms the modified or adjusted air for accelerating the production of snow.
  • Air expansion valve 63 allows a user to attain the specified air volume. By making these adjustments, the air under pressure expands in volume, and causes dehumidification and the temperature to drop.
  • Fig. 3 A shows the conditions in which a snow accelerator 100 is added to the snow machine 104 that is run in the condition in Fig. IA.
  • the air nozzle equipment 33, 34 is coupled to the snow gun 31 by use of mounted stay 32.
  • the modified compressed air is sprayed from nozzles 34. However, an adiabatic expansion is not performed by these nozzles.
  • Ring shaped adjusted air supply duct 33 is fitted with spout nozzles 34, which are arranged in a radial pattern. As to the nozzle design, spray angles and fan width of the spray should be taken into account so that maximum contact is made with the spray water. Modified compressed air is coupled to air supply duct by use of connector 30.
  • a fan-type snow machine In a fan-type snow machine, a fan 44 is placed inside the cylinder shaped wind channel housing 48, and air is blown forward through the wind channel housing 48 by fan blade 44, similar to a hair drier. In this illustration, shaft 46 of fan 44 is rotated by a motor and drive belt or is powered by a hydraulic motor.
  • a pressurized water duct 49 positioned in a ring shape is positioned in front of the wind channel housing 48. Water is ejected from a plurality of nozzles 40 into the air passing from the wind channel housing 48.
  • the feed water supply from pressurized water pump 8 is connected to hose 42 to feed the nozzles similar to the method shown in Figure IA.
  • the modified compressed air supply 64 of Fig. 5 made by the snow accelerator 108 is connected to line 47 (a), as shown in Fig. 4.
  • Modified compressed air exits nozzle 47 and is blown into the suction 45 created by fan blade 44.
  • the dehumidified low temperature air does not cause frost on the fan 44 or the internal wind channel 48, and, during testing, continuous snow making acceleration effect was obtained.
  • a large ski resort is equipped with a snow making system, as shown, for example, in Figs. 1A-1B.
  • the system includes an air compressor 1, water supply equipment having a pressurized pump 8 and a nozzle 11.
  • the snow accelerator 100 was added to existing snow making equipment and it was found that by using the snow accelerator 100, snow could be made in conditions where snow making was not previously possible.
  • the snow making test was started under the following conditions: outside temperature +3.6 0 C, wet bulb temperature -2.1 0 C, and humidity 18.5%RH.
  • the test snow gun arrangement with the snow accelerator that was used during the test is shown in Fig. 2.
  • Figure 2 shows the combination of the nozzles that spout the modified air to the snow gun.
  • the air compressor 1 was pressurizing air to a pressure of about 0.7 Mpa and a flow rate of about 17m3/min and the water pump 8 pressurized the water to pressure of about 1.3Mpa with a flow rate of about 200L/min, and a temperature of about + 3.5 0 C.
  • Connection hose 13 from the pump was connected to the snow gun 11 at connection 10 and the facility was run.
  • FIG. 3 is the expanded detail of Part M of Figure 2 with the modified air coupled to connection 9 of the gun and the water supply coupled to connection 10.
  • the adjusted air passes through the air ring 33 having a plurality of nozzles 34 attached thereto. Nozzle positions are adjusted so that collision of the modified air occurs with the spray water.
  • spraying water from the nozzles it was confirmed that the water droplets were changing into snow within a few meters of the fan outlet. Even during this snow making, the natural outdoor conditions kept changing all the time.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of a separation type snow accelerator 100 for long distance use.
  • the snow accelerator 100 of figure 5 shows a separation line 68 that has the air dehumidifier on the right side of the figure, and the air cooling equipment on the left side of the figure.
  • one air dehumidifier 70 is used for a plural number of cooling systems 71.
  • Using a large air dehumidifier 70 for multiple cooling systems 71 allows for the air dehumidifier to be installed at the lower part of the ski slope.
  • the cooling systems 71 can be positioned at 500 meters and 600 meters on top of the mountain, for example, near the snow machine main body. With this arrangement a plural number of the air cooling devices 71 can be installed near the snow machine main body. Placing the cooling devices 71 at the site of the snow machine reduces the size of the cooling equipment needed, decreasing individual equipment costs and construction costs. [0049] Minimalizing the equipment size simplifies the installation work of the equipment, which is greatly desired.
  • the duct line 72 does not freeze because the air passing through the line is dehumidified. Since the equipment is used in the winter time, a longer the duct line 72 is beneficial because the line is cooled by the outside conditions, requiring a smaller cooling device 71.

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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 porte sur un appareil de fabrication de neige qui permet la production de neige lorsque la température d'air extérieur est de –3° Celsius ou plus basse, jusqu’à environ +5° Celsius. L'appareil de fabrication de neige comprend une machine à neige qui comprend une ou plusieurs buses à eau qui pulvérisent un brouillard d'eau dans l'air. L'appareil de fabrication de neige comprend également un accélérateur à neige qui comprend un compresseur d'air, un déshumidificateur pour éliminer l'humidité de l'air comprimé et un système de refroidissement pour refroidir l'air déshumidifié comprimé. L'air refroidi est amené à passer à travers un détendeur et l'air comprimé modifié est dirigé à travers une buse positionnée pour se situer à proximité des buses à eau. L'air comprimé modifié présente une humidité absolue d'environ 0,02 g/m3 ou moins et une température d'environ –50° Celsius ou plus basse. Le brouillard d'eau et l'air comprimé modifié sont combinés, amenant le brouillard d'eau à se transformer en neige.
PCT/US2008/065096 2008-05-29 2008-05-29 Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige Ceased WO2009145771A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2008/065096 WO2009145771A1 (fr) 2008-05-29 2008-05-29 Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2008/065096 WO2009145771A1 (fr) 2008-05-29 2008-05-29 Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009145771A1 true WO2009145771A1 (fr) 2009-12-03

Family

ID=41377380

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PCT/US2008/065096 Ceased WO2009145771A1 (fr) 2008-05-29 2008-05-29 Appareil et procédé de fabrication de neige

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009145771A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102853605A (zh) * 2012-10-18 2013-01-02 牡丹江雪城机械制造有限责任公司 核子器喷嘴数量可调的造雪机
WO2013045116A3 (fr) * 2011-10-01 2013-12-19 Samuel Grega Procédé, en particulier pour la production de neige et dispositif de mise en œuvre du procédé
CN104930776A (zh) * 2015-06-17 2015-09-23 江苏弗格森制冷设备有限公司 新型人工造雪机
CN106733318A (zh) * 2015-11-19 2017-05-31 北京中联佳华科技有限公司 一种模块式造雪机端部雾化头

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06257917A (ja) * 1993-03-01 1994-09-16 Kioritz Corp 人工降雪機
JP2003329346A (ja) * 2002-05-08 2003-11-19 Iceman Corp 造雪機
US7269959B2 (en) * 2001-10-23 2007-09-18 Acer Snowmec Limited Snow making
US7311266B2 (en) * 2005-01-13 2007-12-25 Santry Charles N Freeze-proof water valve for supplying secondary water to snow making apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH06257917A (ja) * 1993-03-01 1994-09-16 Kioritz Corp 人工降雪機
US7269959B2 (en) * 2001-10-23 2007-09-18 Acer Snowmec Limited Snow making
JP2003329346A (ja) * 2002-05-08 2003-11-19 Iceman Corp 造雪機
US7311266B2 (en) * 2005-01-13 2007-12-25 Santry Charles N Freeze-proof water valve for supplying secondary water to snow making apparatus

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013045116A3 (fr) * 2011-10-01 2013-12-19 Samuel Grega Procédé, en particulier pour la production de neige et dispositif de mise en œuvre du procédé
CN104011486A (zh) * 2011-10-01 2014-08-27 欧凯纳斯公司 尤其用于造雪的方法以及实现所述方法的装置
CN104011486B (zh) * 2011-10-01 2016-10-12 欧凯纳斯公司 尤其用于造雪的方法以及实现所述方法的装置
AU2012314851B2 (en) * 2011-10-01 2017-05-25 Okeanos Corporation Method, in particular for generating snow, and device for carrying out the method
MD4533B1 (ro) * 2011-10-01 2017-11-30 Okeanos Corporation Dispozitiv hidraulic de producere a zăpezii din apă
EA029339B1 (ru) * 2011-10-01 2018-03-30 Океанос Корпорейшен Устройство и способ получения искусственного снега из воды
CN102853605A (zh) * 2012-10-18 2013-01-02 牡丹江雪城机械制造有限责任公司 核子器喷嘴数量可调的造雪机
CN102853605B (zh) * 2012-10-18 2014-09-10 牡丹江雪城机械制造有限责任公司 核子器喷嘴数量可调的造雪机
CN104930776A (zh) * 2015-06-17 2015-09-23 江苏弗格森制冷设备有限公司 新型人工造雪机
CN106733318A (zh) * 2015-11-19 2017-05-31 北京中联佳华科技有限公司 一种模块式造雪机端部雾化头

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