Concept of Operating Indoor Skiing Halls with 'Binary Snow' as a Snow Substitute

摘要

Indoor skiing halls are conventionally operated at low temperatures and with either crushed ice as snow substitute or snow made from freezing water in cold air. Both systems have a high energy demand for air cooling, floor freezing and consequently snow harvest. At the same time the snow at the top of the layer - which is the freshest snow - must be removed regularly in order to maintain the snow layer's height. Old snow remains therefore in the hall. Utilizing the novel "Binary Snow" as snow substitute reduces energy demands and investment costs and improves snow quality considerably. This is achieved by elevated indoor temperature without floor cooling/freezing. The result is greater thermal comfort, and the retention of the freshest snow on the layer's surface. The snowmaker can be used simultaneously for room air cooling. There are no air coolers in the hall and defrosting is also unnecessary. Because floor cooling/freezing and insulation become obsolete, significant savings in piping and building costs can be achieved. Due to the much higher evaporating temperature for the refrigeration system, the energy demand is kept low. Since the same equipment is used for both snowmaking and air cooling, the running time of the equipment is high, resulting in a better economy. Using Binary Snow, with its unique qualities such as fluffy, crisp, white and - since made daily -