Effects of geometric parameters on flow and atomization characteristics of swirl nozzles for artificial snowmaking

Dong, Peiwen; Chen, Qi; Liu, Guoqiang; Zhang, Bowen; Yan, Gang; Wang, Ruixiang

doi:10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2023.07.015

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…As can be seen from the working process of the snow-makers, the formation of artificial snow can be divided into two processes: atomization and crystallization [7]. Atomization is the process of spraying atomized droplets of high-pressure water into the nozzle, colliding Energies 2023, 16, 7276 2 of 15 and mixing with high-pressure air [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experimental Investigation on the Size Distribution of Snow Particles during Artificial Snow Making

Zhao,

Li,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Energies

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For artificial snowfall, snow particle size can have a direct impact on snow quality. The operating conditions of the snow-makers and environmental factors will influence the atomization and crystallization processes of artificial snow making, which consequently affect snow particle size. This paper investigates the size distribution of snow particles during artificial snow making under different operating conditions and environmental parameters. For this purpose, an environmental chamber is designed and structured. The laser scattering method was used to measure the size distribution of snow under different parameters in the room. The results show that the distribution of snow crystal particle size aligns closely with the Rosin–Rammler (R-R) distribution. The higher the height of the snowfall, the longer the snow crystals grow and the larger the snow crystal particle size. It has been found that a higher air pressure favors atomization, while the opposite is true for water pressure, which results in a higher air–water pressure ratio, producing smaller snow particle sizes. Additionally, an ambient temperature in the range of −5 °C to −15 °C contributes to the snow crystal form transforming from plates to columns and then back to plates; the snow particle size first decreases and then increases. Snow crystal particles at −10 °C have the smallest size. Outdoor snow-makers should be operated at the highest possible air–water pressure ratio and snow height, and at a suitable ambient temperature.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Experimental Investigation on the Size Distribution of Snow Particles during Artificial Snow Making

Zhao,

Li,

Zhang

et al. 2023

Energies

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Sensitivity analysis of a multi-scale biofuel primary atomization simulation tool

Strasser,

Jiang

2024

International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

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Experimental study on the effect of nozzle configurations on snow quality for outdoor snow-makers

Yang,

Wu,

Wang

et al. 2024

Physics of Fluids

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In regions with unfavorable climatic conditions and insufficient natural snowfall, skiing development depends significantly on the support of outdoor snow-makers. The atomized droplets produced by the swirl nozzle of the snow-maker collide with the crystal nucleus produced by the air-assisted atomizer to generate snowflakes. The effects of various configurations of swirl nozzles on snowmaking efficiency and snow quality are notably significant. This study investigates the influence of nozzle number, nozzle diameter, and ambient temperature on snowmaking performance through an outdoor snowmaking experiment. The results indicate that an appropriate nozzle configuration (number and diameter) significantly enhances snow quality. The spatial uniformity of snow density is significantly enhanced when utilizing 24 nozzles with a diameter of 1.9 mm and 72 mixed-diameter nozzles. With a nozzle diameter of 1.7 mm, the snow production of 48 and 80 nozzles is comparable; however, the water consumption of 48 nozzles is lower. Furthermore, at low temperatures, the artificial snow produced by the mixed-diameter nozzles exhibits snow quality characteristics comparable to those produced at high temperatures. Nevertheless, snow production is lower than that of the single-diameter nozzle configuration. Simultaneously, the density of the artificial snow produced at high temperatures is generally greater than that produced at low temperatures. Experimental measurements of the grain size of the artificial snow are concentrated between 0.15 and 0.55 mm. This study provides a basis for regulating snow quality in ski resorts. Additionally, it offers guidance on the design and structuring of efficient snow-makers.

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Effects of geometric parameters on flow and atomization characteristics of swirl nozzles for artificial snowmaking

Cited by 6 publications

References 28 publications

An Experimental Investigation on the Size Distribution of Snow Particles during Artificial Snow Making

An Experimental Investigation on the Size Distribution of Snow Particles during Artificial Snow Making

Sensitivity analysis of a multi-scale biofuel primary atomization simulation tool

Experimental study on the effect of nozzle configurations on snow quality for outdoor snow-makers

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