Water is injected into compressed air in the nucleators. Expansion in the cold ambient air produces nuclides, small ice crystals, to which the fine water droplets attach. The finely atomized mist and nuclides are finally distributed via the rotor and freeze in favorable conditions to form snow.
Snow guns are characterized by a wide projection range, high snow output, low wind sensitivity and flexible use. Therefore they are mainly used on wide slopes, in areas with a high demand for snow or in open areas exposed to wind. TechnoAlpin supplies three types of snow generators: Fan guns i.
Snow guns and snow lances basically produce snow in the same way but differ in the amount of snow produced, the cost and the application range. Selecting the most suitable snow gun will depend on the orientation and gradient of the hillside, temperature, slope width, amount of snow required, wind situation and air circulation.
Both types of machine are available as fully automatic or manually adjustable versions and can be used to produce a range of different snow qualities from completely dry to wet. In addition to these two established snow guns, TechnoAlpin introduced the Snowfactory in , a snow gun for warm temperatures. This snow machine is not intended as a substitute for classic techniques but is more of an addition to the possible applications of snowmaking technology.
It is essential to select the right snow gun in order to fully exploit the geographical conditions and the available resources. The individual solution and the choice of snow guns and snow lances in any given case will depend on the temperature, the slope width, the amount of snow required, the gradient of the terrain and the wind situation.
The research department at TechnoAlpin is always trying to come up with ways to make the TechnoAlpin snow guns even more efficient.
The aim is to produce more snow with the resources used in order to cut costs and protect the environment. The Snowfactory is mainly suitable for events, for snow coverage on relatively small slope sections, and Nordic centers. Fan guns are often also called snow guns. For a long time, mobile fan guns were the only models which were used.
As snowmaking technology developed, however, the stationary installations also became popular for surface coverage in order to avoid set-up times. Fan guns are characterized by a wide projection range, high snow output, low wind sensitivity and flexible use. Snow lances basically generate snow in the same way as fan guns. A greater height is required, however, to crystallize the snowflakes because they lack the propeller, or turbine, fitted in the fan guns.
Snow lances therefore have a lower projection range and greater wind sensitivity but they are more accurate in terms of where the snow lands. The quantity of snow produced by a lance is similar to that of a small fan gun. Ideal fields of application are, for instance, narrow slope sections without particular exposure to wind, connecting pistes or ski trails.
The SnowFactory is a snow generator which can also be used in warm temperatures. The SnowFactory is designed to add to the possible applications of snowmaking technology and is therefore mainly used on lower slope sections or at events in large towns.
The SnowFactory produces snow by means of an innovative cooling technology without any chemical additives. No complicated building work or fittings are necessary to install it which is why it is also suitable for temporary applications. The amount of artificial snow produced depends on the particular snow gun model. The TR10, the fan gun with the biggest snow output currently on the market, produces 10 truck loads of snow per hour under optimal conditions.
It is not only the energy efficiency of the device itself that is important, but also all components of the snowmaking system, including system planning, the construction of pumping stations and the careful use of resources. The energy consumption of a snowmaking system depends on the chosen technical system, the location, the water supply and the climatic conditions. In order to keep resource consumption as low as possible, TechnoAlpin has developed a sophisticated and highly efficient technology, as well as special software for controlling the snowmaking system, thus enabling targeted snowmaking.
Thanks to detailed weather data and snow height measurements on snow groomers, it can be ensured that snow is only produced in the right places and under optimal conditions. The deployment of smart control software has significantly improved the energy balance of TechnoAlpin equipment in recent years.
Snowmaking does not consume water, it only uses it. Snow guns require different quantities of water per second, depending on the model. One cubic meter of water can produce an average of 2. About 1, cubic meters of water are needed for the basic coverage approx. The reason for this is very simple, natural snow falls straight from the sky to the ground. With the exception of blizzard conditions, snow doesn't usually swirl up from the ground and then fall back down.
If you're in a venue that doesn't have an easy way to ceiling-mount your snow machine, you might consider picking up an inexpensive lighting stand like the LTS to get your machine in the air.
If you're using the snow machine in a theatre or night club, you probably already have suspended pipes or some other way to hang the device. However you do it, you'll appreciate the natural look of snow falling from above.
While you're thinking about using the snow machine in a club setting, consider some of the effects you can create with it other than a snow storm.
For example, by mounting snow machines around a dance floor and then lighting the snow with strobes, you can create a swirling, slow-motion effect. In fact, the human-made stuff is arguably better for groomed ski runs — where snow is smoothed and compacted using a tractor.
Human-made snow from a snow machine makes a more durable ski slope and is slower to melt, and hence is usually preferred for slalom courses. Related reading: Snow worries. Originally published by Cosmos as How do snow machines work? Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science.
Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today. Share Tweet. Today's snow guns are capable of filling ten trucks with the white stuff in one hour. Snow machine history An early snow machine was basically just a giant hose.
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