28.5.2010

Nozzles with ceramic insert - a tried and tested design

"The wear-resistant Quadrijet nozzles with ceramic insert are durable and require little maintenance - even when used with aggressive water - and guarantee optimum spray action" - or so it says in the brochure for the new TechnoAlpin T40 fan gun. Unlike the T40, however, the Quadrijet nozzle with its ceramic insert is no new development. Indeed, the revolutionary technology was first used back in 1992. TechnoAlpin set new standards in snow-making technology with the patented solution at the beginning of the 1990s. In the 18 years since it was developed, the ceramic nozzle has proved its durability and resilience.

One of the most impressive examples of this resistance to wear can be found in Saas-Fee (SUI). "We used to have constant problems with the snow-making systems", said Peter Geiser, Technical Director in Saas-Fee for the last 31 years, "the aggressive glacier water which we use contains impurities which wear out the hard metal nozzles. So we started looking for an alternative to the hard metal and discovered that TechnoAlpin uses nozzles with a ceramic lining. This was the reason why we chose TechnoAlpin at that time". TechnoAlpin gave the glacier area a 10-year warranty on the nozzles.

TechnoAlpin has been catering to the snow requirements in Saas-Fee in the canton of Valais since 1998. A total of 47 Baby and M90 fan guns were supplied as part of a major contract. Not only have the fan guns reached a ripe old age but they have clocked up a considerable number of hours over the years. Each individual gun has a track record of between 2,000 and 7,500 operating hours. The ceramic nozzles are still bearing up under this enormous workload. "Not one single nozzle has needed replacing on any of the snow guns yet", added Peter Geiser, "and the snow quality is still excellent". Nozzles with ceramic insert -a tried and tested design