Efficient Snowmaking with Polymer Drag Reduction

• Main Authors: Philips, Richard B, Baus, Theresa A
• Other Authors: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON DC
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2002
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Fluid Mechanics; *POLYMERS; *SNOW; *MANMADE; *DRAG REDUCTION; PATENT APPLICATIONS; WATER PIPES; POLYETHYLENE; MUZZLE VELOCITY; HOSES; AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS; SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADD020027; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADD020027

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).