Optimizing our product range at limit temperatures is one of TechnoAlpin’s main goals. This also enables us to increase system efficiency overall. Three products make a significant contribution to increased snow output at the limit temperature range: Cooling towers, nozzles and nucleators, as well as heat exchangers.
The temperature of the snowmaking water plays a key role when it comes to the efficiency of a snowmaking system. For every 4°C increase in water temperature, the wet bulb temperature must be 1°C cooler to produce snow. However, if the water is too warm, the system cannot take full advantage of the conditions — even cold temperature windows. The snow guns simply cannot convert the same amount of water into snow as they could with water at the optimum temperature.
TechnoAlpin cooling towers have a sophisticated operating principle in which the water is cooled as it is distributed over a large area in a honeycomb system. This honeycomb principle keeps energy consumption low and output incredibly high.
Advanced nozzles and nucleators enable systems to produce snow in a wider temperature range. Different configurations also make it possible to adapt the systems perfectly to the prevailing temperature conditions. For ski areas with predominantly mild limit temperatures, special nozzle configurations are defined that make it possible to start snow production at warmer temperatures. For areas with lower temperatures, switchable nozzles make it possible to optimize the amount of snow needed and produce larger quantities.
TechnoAlpin uses nozzles made of high-quality materials, such as ceramic or ruby inserts, to ensure optimum atomization for decades. This ensures high efficiency and snow quality with low maintenance.
The temperature of the compressed air has a significant influence on snowmaking performance at limit temperatures. Therefore, starting with the TR10 model released in 2019, all new snow guns have a local heat exchanger with a very large cooling surface. The compressed air is routed around the cold snowmaking water and is cooled from approx. 100°C to 10°C — without using any additional energy. Additional heating in the water filter is not required because the waste heat from the compressed air is used. This saves around 30% of the heating power.
