 Poster: A snowHead
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As the recent snow here began to melt, but for much of the day the temperature was still around freezing, I began wondering if I could make snow with the hosepipe if I squeezed the end nearly shut so it'd be a fine water spray - if of course the standpipe we use weren't frozen. It was only a thought experiment - not one that got as far as a practical... would it have worked?
.. but it led me to wonder how snow cannon water pipes don't get frozen up. Were it simply insulation it'd have to be pretty good & thick to withstand extreme cold (some of the pipes don't look thick enough for that) and heating doesn't seem to be that likely either. If there were an additive in the water surely that'd stop the droplets forming snow in the air? Is there a pre and post spray de-icing phase?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Butterfly, I think it's the additives. The water/additive mixture cools through the Joule-Thompson effect as it expands from the nozzle, allowing the formation of crystals.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Butterfly, I think because the water is not stored in the pipe ....if you watch one start up it is only the compressed air to start with then water....when it stops all the water is expelled and air forced through....I think
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Not sure if it is the additives as one resort where I lived used to drain a local lake that they made especially for sno production and said they used it untreated?
Also wouldn't the water pressure play a part?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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the pipes are insulated
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As rayscoops, says the pipes are insulated, and the water isn't actually stored in the cannons, it drains back into the pipes. I don't think there are additives in the water.
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I don't think insulation could work by itself in most circumstances. The water temperature in the reservoirs can be barely above freezing point to start with. Perhaps the pipes are blown out when the pumps are switched off. A quick google indicates that snowmaking additives certainly exist, but perhaps there are some places where they're not used.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Aren't they trying to cut down on the additives?
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Pretty sure that bacterial additives (to encourage formation of snow crystals) is banned in Austria.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Pretty sure that bacterial additives (to encourage formation of snow crystals) is banned in Austria.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Quote: |
I began wondering if I could make snow with the hosepipe if I squeezed the end nearly shut so it'd be a fine water spray ... would it have worked?
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Butterfly, it very probably wouldn't have worked, you really need compressed air too, e.g. http://www.snow-maker.com/
I'm pretty sure I found a forum a few years ago where home-brew solutions were discussed, but I'm damned if I can find the bookmark now.
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As far as I know, systems are designed so that the water is pumped 'up' to the guns when running, and drains back down emptying the pipes when the pump turns off. Flowing water doesn't freeze, so while the pump is on and making snow there is no 'freezing' in the pipes, and when the pump stops, the pipes drain so there is no water in the pipes to freeze.
Although bacteria are believed to be the 'freezing nuclei' (minute dust particles too can have the same effect) that is required in the atmosphere for snow to form naturally, in a snow cannon it is just the venturi effect of air and water coming out of the nozzle into cold air that causes small chunks of ice to form. So I don't think that any additives are added to the water.
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You know it makes sense.
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The water for snowguns is special Alpine water that has been cared for by Heidi and never freezes up 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Antifreeze ? 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Austrian wine.....
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Whitegold, ah, I see!
Thanks for the responses and links 
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It does freeze doesn't it? That's why it comes out the end as snow, not water.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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owen4220, it freezes on exit
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Joking Jonhm 
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P = mv or a variation (expression) thereof . . .
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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thefatcontroller, You beat me too it. I was only talking the other day to some friends about a snow cannon that had been developed to make snow even in warm weather.
Glad I wasn't dreaming it
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FAQ
Zermatt has installed one up near the Glacier.
