JPH0820153B2 - How to make artificial snow at indoor ski resorts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing artificial snow in an indoor ski area.

[Conventional technology]

As is well known, ski resorts are generally scattered in areas where transportation is inconvenient.

Therefore, in the latest leisure industry, plans are underway to construct indoor ski areas around the city.

Since it is not possible to obtain natural snow at indoor ski resorts, either carry in artificial snow produced at a location different from indoor ski resorts into indoor ski resorts or directly produce artificial snow at indoor ski resorts, You must take either means.

Conventionally, as a means for manufacturing artificial snow at a place different from an indoor ski resort, there is an artificial snow manufacturing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-161377. (See Figure 2).

This artificial snow manufacturing device is related to the application by the applicants of the present application, but the water spray nozzle (5
1) and a liquefied gas injection nozzle (52) are provided, and water (53) is sprayed from the water spray nozzle (51) to generate a mist (54) of water in the artificial snow generation chamber (50) and liquefaction at the same time. Liquefied gas (55) is jetted from the gas jet nozzle (52), and the cold mist when this liquefied gas (55) vaporizes into the gas (56) causes the water mist (54) to grow crystals and artificial snow (57). Is what you get.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional artificial snow making device, since the artificial snow is produced in the artificial snow generation room different from the indoor ski resort, from the artificial snow making device to the indoor ski resort in order to carry the artificial snow to the indoor ski resort. Since the artificial snow must be transported, the labor and cost required for transportation may be enormous.

Therefore, prior to the present invention, the inventors of the present invention tentatively proposed a method for creating artificial snow in an indoor ski resort, which applies the principle of the above-described conventional artificial snow manufacturing device.

In this proposed method, a mist of water is generated in a building containing ski resort equipment and liquefied gas is sprayed, and the cold mist when the liquefied gas is vaporized into gas causes the water mist to crystallize and grow in the ski area. It is intended to form artificial snow on the equipment, and since it is directly formed on the ski area equipment, it is necessary to transport the artificial snow, which has been a problem with conventional snowmaking equipment. Labor and cost can be saved.

However, in this proposed method, the space inside the building that houses the ski area equipment is very large, so the cold heat spreads widely in the space and the mist of water is sufficiently cooled when the injection amount of liquefied gas is small. In some cases, it may be difficult to form artificial snow reliably.

Therefore, in order to reliably form artificial snow, it is necessary to inject a large amount of liquefied gas. However, when using such a large amount of liquefied gas, liquefied nitrogen gas or liquefied carbon dioxide gas which is cheap in terms of cost is used. There is no choice but to use.

However, when the liquefied nitriding gas is used, the nitrogen gas obtained by vaporizing the liquefied nitrogen gas fills the building, and unless the ventilation performance of the building is increased, the building becomes oxygen deficient. As a result, the cost of building ventilation is high. The situation is the same when using liquefied carbon dioxide.

The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and it is possible to omit the labor and cost required to carry the artificial snow directly into the building by directly introducing the artificial snow obtained in the artificial snow generation chamber. In addition, a method of creating artificial snow in an indoor ski area that can prevent the oxygen deficiency in the structure and ensure the safety of the player by preventing the used gas in the artificial snow generation room from entering the structure. The purpose is to provide.

[Means for solving the problem]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, artificial snow is generated by cold heat generated when water mist 2 is generated in artificial snow generation chamber 1 and liquefied inert gas 3 is injected, and liquefied inert gas 3 is vaporized to become inert gas 4. A mist 2 of water falling in the generation chamber 1 is crystal-grown to form artificial snow 5, and the artificial snow 5 is dropped to the lower portion 6 of the artificial snow generation chamber 1, and skis are skied from the lower portion 6 of the artificial snow generation chamber 1. The artificial snow 5 that has fallen into the lower portion 6 of the artificial snow generation chamber 1 is carried into the building 23 via a communication path 24 that leads to the inside of the building 23 housing the field equipment 22, and the ski resort equipment is provided. A used inert gas 4 that forms a snowfall of artificial snow 5 on 22 and floats in the artificial snow generation chamber 1 after cooling the water mist 2
Is collected from the artificial snow generation chamber 1 by flowing into the recovery passage 30 and used to collect the used inert gas 27.
Is liquefied by the liquefying device 32 to regenerate the liquefied inert gas 3, and the regenerated liquefied inert gas 3 is regenerated.
It was recycled inward.

[Work]

The present invention operates as follows, for example, as shown in FIG.

That is, the water mist 2 generated in the artificial snow generation chamber 1 and descending in the artificial snow generation chamber 1 grows due to cold heat when the liquefied inert gas 3 injected into the artificial snow generation chamber 1 vaporizes. Then it becomes artificial snow.

This artificial snow falls on the lower part 6 of the artificial snow generating chamber 1 and from the lower part 6 of the artificial snow generating chamber 1 via the connecting path 24.
It is carried into the building 23 and snow is accumulated on the ski resort equipment 22 in the building 23.

On the other hand, the used inert gas 4 after cooling the water mist 2 flows into the recovery passage 30 from the artificial snow generation chamber 1 and is recovered. The recovered used inert gas 27 is liquefied 32
Is liquefied and regenerated into liquefied inert gas 3. Then, the regenerated liquefied inert gas 3 is supplied to the artificial snow generation chamber 1
The water mist 2 is recirculated into the artificial snow generation chamber 1 and is sprayed into the artificial snow generation chamber 1 to be vaporized again to cool the water mist 2. This recirculation of the inert gas 3 is continuously repeated.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of a method for creating artificial snow in an indoor ski resort according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 (A) is an explanatory view of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (B) is an explanatory view of a liquefied inert gas injection state of the same example.

First, the configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a mist (2) of water is generated in the artificial snow generation chamber (1), and a liquefied inert gas (3) (see FIG. 1 (B)) is injected, and this liquefied inert gas ( 3)
The mist (2) of water falling in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) is crystallized by the cold heat when the gas is vaporized to become an inert gas (4) to form artificial snow (5). ) Is dropped into the lower part (6) of the artificial snow generating chamber (1).

The artificial snow generation chamber (1) is a small diameter cylindrical upper cooling tank (7)
It may be formed in a vertically long tower body (9) in which a lower cooling tank (8) having a large diameter and a cylindrical shape are combined in a vertical series.

In order to generate the water mist (2) in the artificial snow generation chamber (1), water (11) may be sprayed from the water spray nozzle (10) arranged in the upper part of the artificial snow generation chamber (1). .

The water (11) to be sprayed from the water spray nozzle (10) is supplied from the water supply source (13) to the water spray nozzle (10) through the water supply line (14) by driving the pressure pump (12).

The amount of water (11) sprayed from the water spray nozzle (10) can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the flow rate control valve (15), and the water mist (2) in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) is adjusted. It is desirable to be able to control the amount of) generated.

The water supply source (13) may be a water storage tank, a water tap, or the like, but the pressure pump (12) may be omitted when a water tap is used.

To inject the liquefied inert gas (3) into the artificial snow generation chamber (1), a liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) is arranged in the artificial snow generation chamber (1), and the liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) is arranged. The liquefied inert gas (3) may be jetted from.

The liquefied inert gas (3) ejected from the liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) has a recovery passage (30) and a liquefier (32) described later.
And to the liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) through the liquefied gas supply line (18).

As the liquefied inert gas (3), liquefied nitrogen, liquefied carbon dioxide, and the like are preferably used because they are inexpensive and do not pose a risk of fire or the like.

The liquefied inert gas (3) injected into the artificial snow generation chamber (1) is immediately vaporized into the inert gas (4), and the cold heat generated at that time causes -20 in the artificial snow generation chamber (1). Cool to -80 ° C.

The temperature in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) is detected by the temperature sensor (19), and the controller (20) adjusts the opening degree of the flow control valve (21) based on the detected temperature. It is desirable to control the injection amount of the active gas (3) and keep the inside of the artificial snow generation chamber (1) at a constant temperature. In this case, the artificial snow (5) can be formed uniformly.

The mist (2) of the water is cooled by the cold heat generated in the artificial snow generation chamber (1), and crystals grow while falling in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) to become artificial snow (5). 5)
Finally falls into the lower part (6) of the artificial snow generating chamber (1), that is, into the lower cooling tank (8), and is stored and stored there.

In this embodiment, the lower cooling tank (8) of the artificial snow generating chamber (1) is connected to the lower cooling tank (24) via the communication passage (24) leading to the building (23) containing the ski facility (22). (8)
The artificial snow (5) that has fallen onto the building (23) is carried into the building (23), and snowfall of the artificial snow (5) is formed on the ski facility (22).

In this embodiment, the artificial snow generating chamber (1) is placed on the building (23).
In this case, an indoor ski area where is used is used. In this case, the communication passageway (24) that penetrates the ceiling portion (25) of the building (23) is connected to the lower cooling tank (8) of the artificial snow generation chamber (1). The opening / closing lid (26) is provided in the communication passage (24), and the opening / closing lid (26) is provided vertically.
The artificial snow (5) stored in the lower cooling tank (8) is allowed to naturally fall inside the communication passageway (24) when the building (23) is opened.
Just bring it in.

Although not shown, the artificial snow generation chamber (1) was constructed (2
In the case of arranging it on the side of 3), the artificial snow generating chamber (1) is arranged at a high place, and the communication passage (24) that slopes downward from the lower cooling tank (8) toward the building (23) ), The artificial snow (5) stored in the lower cooling tank (8) is connected to the communication passage (2
4) It should slide down and be carried into the building (23).

In addition, when the artificial snow generation chamber (1) cannot be located at a high place and the artificial snow (5) cannot incline the communication passage (24) to the extent that the artificial snow (5) slides under its own weight, a bucket conveyor or the like is provided in the communication passage (24). The artificial snow (5) may be forcibly carried in.

On the other hand, a recovery passageway (31) is led out to the artificial snow generation chamber (1), and the tip of the recovery passageway (30) communicates with a liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) via a liquefied gas supply line (18). It is connected.

Further, a liquefaction device (32) having a cooling function is provided in the middle of the recovery passageway (30), and the used inert gas recovered in the recovery passageway (30) by the liquefaction device (32). (27) is liquefied and regenerated into liquefied inert gas (3).

Then, the used inert gas (27) that has floated to the upper part (28) in the artificial snow generating chamber (1) is heated by the internal pressure in the artificial snow generating chamber (1) to the upper part of the artificial snow generating chamber (1) ( 2
The liquefaction device (32) naturally flows from the 8) into the recovery passageway (30).
After being liquefied by, the liquefied gas injection nozzle (16) again injects it into the artificial snow generation chamber (1).

If necessary, an intake pump (31) is provided in the middle of the recovery passageway (30) so that the used inert gas (27) in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) can be removed by the intake pump (31). It may be forced to flow into the recovery passageway (30).

The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention is as described above, and its operation will be described below.

According to the first embodiment, the water mist (2) descending in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) is crystallized by cold heat when the liquefied inert gas (3) is vaporized into the inert gas (4). It grows into artificial snow (5), falls into the lower part (6) of the artificial snow generation chamber (1), is stored in the lower cooling tank (8), and the communication passage (24) is opened by opening the opening / closing lid (26). The interior falls naturally and is carried into the building (23), and snow is accumulated on the ski facility (22) in the building (23).

On the other hand, the used inert gas (27) after cooling the water mist (2) levitates in the artificial snow generation chamber (1) and is collected from the upper part (28) in the artificial snow generation chamber (1). Since it flows into the path (30) and is collected, the used inert gas (27) can be suppressed from flowing to the lower part (6) side of the artificial snow generation chamber (1). Therefore, from the lower part (6) of the artificial snow generation chamber (1) to the connecting path (2
Intrusion into the building (23) through 4) is suppressed.

In addition, the used inert gas (27) recovered in the recovery passageway (30) is liquefied by the liquefaction device (32) and recirculated into the artificial snow generation chamber (1), so that the liquefied inert gas is used. The consumption of (3) can be suppressed. Moreover, the inert gas (4) flowing into the recovery passageway (30) is liquefied by the liquefaction device (32), so that the pressure in the recovery passageway (30) becomes lower than that in the artificial snow generation chamber (1), and the recovery is performed. Spent inert gas (4) to the road (30)
The influx effect of.

〔The invention's effect〕

The present invention has the following effects because it is configured and operates as described above.

The artificial snow generated in the artificial snow generation chamber falls to the lower part of the artificial snow generation chamber, is carried into the building from the lower part of the artificial snow generation chamber through the connecting path, and is accumulated on the ski resort equipment. Therefore, the labor and cost involved in transporting the artificial snow can be omitted, as compared with the conventional case where the artificial snow is manufactured separately from the ski resort equipment in the building.

Moreover, since the used inert gas after cooling the water mist flows from the artificial snow generation chamber to the recovery passage, the used inert gas enters the building from the bottom of the artificial snow generation chamber through the connecting passage. Intrusion can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the interior of the building from becoming oxygen-deficient by being filled with the inert gas even if the ventilation performance of the building is not so high. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of ventilation equipment for buildings.

In addition, the used inert gas collected by flowing into the recovery channel is liquefied by the liquefaction device and recirculated into the artificial snow generation chamber, so the inert gas can be used repeatedly and consumption of the inert gas can be suppressed. The cost can be kept low. In addition, the inert gas that has flowed into the recovery passage is liquefied by the liquefaction device, so that the pressure in the recovery passage becomes lower than that in the artificial snow generation chamber, and the action of the used inert gas flowing into the recovery passage is enhanced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (A) is an explanatory view of a method of constructing artificial snow in an indoor ski resort according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (B) is an explanatory view of a liquefied inert gas injection state in the same method, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory view of the prior art. (1) …… Artificial snow generation room, (2) …… Mist of water,
(3) …… Liquefied inert gas, (4) …… Inert gas,
(5) …… Artificial snow, (6) …… Lower part, (22) …… Ski resort equipment, (23) …… Building, (24) …… Communication passage, (27)
...... Used inert gas, (28) …… Upper part, (30) …… Collection path, (32) …… Liquefaction device.

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kawabata 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Iwatani Sangyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo headquarters (72) Inventor Shigenori Tsutsuno 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Iwatani Sangyo Tokyo Head Office (72) Inventor Akira Ota 2-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Iwatani Sangyo Co., Ltd. Tokyo Head Office (56) Reference JP-A-63-161377 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mist of water (2) in the artificial snow generation chamber (1)
And liquefied inert gas (3) is injected,
This liquefied inert gas (3) vaporizes and becomes an inert gas (4).
The mist (2) of the water falling in the artificial snow generating chamber (1) due to the cold heat is crystal-grown into artificial snow (5), and the artificial snow (5) is converted into the artificial snow generating chamber ( A building (23) that has been dropped into the lower part (6) of (1) and has accommodated the ski facility (22) from the lower part (6) of the artificial snow generating chamber (1).
The artificial snow generating chamber (1) through a communication path (24) reaching inside
The artificial snow (5) that has fallen into the lower part (6) of the ski is carried into the building (23) to form snow cover of the artificial snow (5) on the ski facility (22), and the water. After cooling the mist (2), the used inert gas (4) floating in the artificial snow generating chamber (1) is introduced into the recovery passageway (30) for discharging from the artificial snow generating chamber (1). Collect and collect this (3
The used inert gas (27) recovered in (0) is liquefied (3
In an indoor ski resort characterized in that it is liquefied by 2) and regenerated into a liquefied inert gas (3), and the regenerated liquefied inert gas (3) is recirculated into the artificial snow generation chamber (1). How to create artificial snow.