Ski areas benefit from snowmakers who ensure they have covered trails for the season while they wait for snowfall to come from the mountains. The air systems they create can be massive energy consumers.
Pumps used in these systems must be energy efficient and reliable. KSB provides automation options to keep track of operating information and improve the efficiency of your pumps.
The snowmaking process in ski resorts
Snowmaking allows ski areas to open on schedule, stay open throughout the entire season as well as provide the ideal surfaces where elite alpine and freestyle athletes compete and train. It requires a complex infrastructure which includes pipes that carry water, pumps that pressurize the water, as well as guns which use compressed air, or an alternative method of operation called “airless” fan guns.
Processing is complicated because of the outside temperature, humidity, and patterns of wind. It is ideal to create snow by conditions in which the water droplets are cooled by the dry air outside and wind is a major factor in spreading snow on slopes.
The system is also dependent on the team that operates it. The BBMR team is made up professional experts with years of experience, some of whom have been with the resort for over twenty years. They guarantee that resort operations run smoothly and without a hitch for guests. Their commitment and experience is critical to delivering an incredible skiing experience. Additionally, the resorts strive to decrease their environmental footprint by utilizing newer technologies that are less than energy-intensive, like smart snowmaking that is climate conscious.
Pumping systems in winter sports
Ski resorts depend on snowmaking systems to create enough snow for skiing in winter. is upon us in the mountains. These phot may bom consume a great deal of power and can be complicated. It is important to plan and build the pipeline system carefully to guarantee an efficient performance.
Snowmaking pumps, for example typically come with water cooling towers that reduce temperatures of the water and improve their performance. If you are choosing an air compressor for air systems, energy efficiency is important.
KSB flowmeters, controls and other components offer a complete solution to analyze, monitor and enhance the performance of snow-pumping systems. DEMACLENKO’s experts plan everything down to last detail, starting from the pumping station and all the way to the snow guns. The process includes determining the best sizes of pumps, pressures for air discharge and the starters/controls. The equipment is used better and utilized at the highest effectiveness. KSB pumps use less energy and can reduce the expense of snowmaking equipment during its duration of use.
Snow guns and pumping technology
Tussey Mountain, like most ski resorts, had difficulty getting enough snow in the opening. Pressure in the water was the primary issue, but the quantity is the main issue. Pumps and pipes weren’t able to provide the required volume for snowmaking.
Unlike fan guns, where water and air mix within the gun, internal mixed snow guns use the pump to channel the water atomized through a number of pipes. The water is infused with an active protein, like Snomax which helps in the conversion of water into snow.
The system then draws in an infusion of water and air via an air compressor, which is typically an electric or diesel industrial compressor that is the size of the size of a truck or van. Air is chilled, that reduces the quantity of heating required to melt the atomized water. This can result in snow being produced at temperatures slightly higher that freezing. This improves the effectiveness of production and allows for ski resorts operating in lower air humidity.
Energy-efficient snowmaking pumps
KSB pumps reduce energy consumption thanks to a very efficient motor. They are also made with huge casing dimensions and robust materials, making them reliable partners in snowmaking operations. They are equipped with intelligent automation to ensure optimal use of energy throughout all climates.
One of the key factors to a successful snowmaking is achieving the right temperature at the nozzles. It requires precise control that can be achieved through advanced systems such as the ATASSpro.
Ski resorts have invested into more durable and efficient equipment for a long time. More efficient, modern nozzles can produce smaller crystals that use less air and water per cubic meter of output. The pumps that supply the water to the guns have to also be more energy-efficient.
These essential infrastructure pieces can improve sustainability in ski resorts, despite the fact that they are not as well-known as snow guns. This is particularly true in the case of systems operated by KSB pumps. They can reduce the energy use by as much as 20% in comparison to older pipes with rougher surfaces.