Efficient Snowmaking with Polymer Drag Reduction
A method for reducing the drag on an aqueous solution in a pipe or hose system such as a snow making system includes the introduction of drag reducing polymers into the aqueous solution prior to circulating the solution in a pipe or hose. In a preferred embodiment, the drag reducing polymers are a m...
Main Authors: | , |
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Other Authors: | |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2002
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADD020027 http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADD020027 |
Summary: | A method for reducing the drag on an aqueous solution in a pipe or hose system such as a snow making system includes the introduction of drag reducing polymers into the aqueous solution prior to circulating the solution in a pipe or hose. In a preferred embodiment, the drag reducing polymers are a mixture of polyethylene oxide in a carrier solution. The introduction of the polyethylene oxide in a carrier solution reduces the overall frictional drag and therefore increases the snow making efficiency by reducing the power needed to pump the water. As a result, it is easier for greater quantities of snow to be made using existing equipment due to the increased flow rate as a result of the lower drag friction. In a preferred embodiment, the polyethylene oxide is approximately 20-30% by weight and is introduced into the water pipe so resulting concentrations are approximately 30-100 weight parts per million (WPPM). |
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