A method and apparatus for making artificial snow wherein a stream of compressed air and liquid water is expanded into a nucleating in which there is established an electrostatic field. By subjecting the expanding stream of compressd air and liquid water to the electrostatic field, the mean particle size of the ice nuclei formed in the nucleating zone is decreased and the number of ice nuclei particles produced for a given water flow is increased. Additionally, a stream of pressure water may be injected into the secondary air into which the ice nuclei pass in order to increase the humidity of the secondary air by atomizing the injected in a second electrostatic field.
A method for producing snow comprises producing a group of waterdrops by jetting water or water together with compressed air from a nozzle into the atmosphere of 0.degree. C. or less, and freezing the group of waterdrops jetted by applying ultrasonic waves to the group of waterdrops. An apparatus for producing snow comprises a jetting apparatus for producing a group of waterdrops by jetting water or water together with compressed air into the atmosphere of 0.degree. C. or less, and an ultrasonic wave generator for applying ultrasonic waves to the group of waterdrops jetted by the jetting apparatus.
A machine for producing artificial snow includes an elongated cylindrical outer casing with a frusto-conical discharge end; a similar inner casing, a tubeaxial fan in the outer casing for creating an annular stream of turbulent air at the discharge end of the outer casing; an adjustable turbine nozzle centrally located at or near the discharge end of the outer casing for spraying a stream of water droplets into the turbulent air to create a stream of water droplets and air; and nucleators at or near the discharge end of the outer casing for spraying very fine droplets of water or nuclei into the stream of water droplets and air, whereby, temperature permitting, a stream of artificial snow is created without large droplets of water or ice dribbling from the stream near the discharge end of the outer casing.
A method and apparatus for continuously making snow at all times of the year comprises the creation of countless ice crystals from a mist in a controlled environment. The mist may have a ice crystal nucleus added to it to facilitate the development of the ice crystal at higher temperatures. The ice crystals are directed into an ultrasonic field generated by an transducer where the fall rate of the crystals levitated. While the crystals are within the ultrasonic field, the crystals grow into snowflakes as a result of collisions with other crystals. The snowflakes eventually fall out of the ultrasonic field as snow having a more natural appearance than more conventional snow-making techniques.
A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a water swellable polymer, preferably polyacrylamid, to approximately 50%-70% of the maximum water retention capacity of the polymer, aerating the mixture and freezing the mixture to produce snow crystals. The snow crystals are laid on a refrigerated floor to form a skiing slope.
A method of making artificial snow by mixing water with a surfactant, the surfactant preferably forming 0.03% to 5% of the mixture by weight; aerating the mixture to form a foam of bubbles; and freezing the foam to form the snow crystals. The mixture is preferably aerated with air in the ratio water:air in the range 1:2 to 1:3 (v/v). The foam of bubbles is frozen by laying it over a refrigerated grid laid over the skiing slope and the foam is preferably laid and frozen in layers until the desired depth of snow is achieved.
