Change CountryBuilding Efficiency How Does Automated Snowmaking Work
How does an automated snowmaking system work?
Along the slopes, at approximately every 120 feet, shelters accommodate Motorized Hydrants that feed air and water to the snow guns. Electronic Probes, measuring temperature and humidity in various locations on the slopes (there is one probe for every 5-7 guns), are connected to a computer which provides the continuous control of gun operations. Communication Modules, incorporated into each hydrant, are also in constant communication with the computer, giving the operating data of each gun.To start the automatic system, the operator simply selects, on the computer's touch-sensitive screen, which areas are to be covered with snow, which guns to operate, and their order of priority. The quality of snow is also selected individually for each operating gun (from very dry to very wet). The computer controls the individual starting of the guns as soon as the favorable temperature level in the corresponding area is reached; it also controls the cutoff of the guns if the temperature rises above a preset threshold. The computer continuously adjusts the air/water ratio for each gun, according to temperature and humidity, which is recorded by the probe nearby. The computer also controls the number of guns to operate according to the quantity of air available. Unless otherwise instructed, the computer gives priority to guns located in the coldest areas in order to make the most snow with the available air quantity. Therefore, at any given moment, 100% of the air capacity is used, every gun is set at its optimum capacity and snow is made. In this way, a maximum amount of snow can be produced among the predetermined priority locations, taking advantage of any and all favorable weather conditions. Incidentally, the snow quality will remain the same for every gun, whatever the variations of temperature and humidity.
