Dendritic snow production
Abstract
The “Dendrite Generator” is a device to produce machine-made snow based on a new technology, which has filed for patent by BOKU and TU-Vienna. It is based on cloud physics: cold and moist air is mixed together forming the initial ice nuclei. If further moisture is provided, these nuclei start to grow towards the final ice crystals. Based on the temperature and the available super saturation in the atmosphere different snow crystals may form out of the nuclei. The “Dendrite Generator” is able to control these conditions to optimize crystal growth and crystals that are more like natural snowflakes within a technical device. Based on first investigations the following advantages should rise from this technology: snow can be produced with a much lower energy demand, the emission of noise can be reduced significantly and “fluffy” snow with different densities – especially low density – can be produced (about 80 - 200 kg/m^3). Although there is a lot of work still to be done it might eventually be possible for the technology to enable snow to be made without energy input from the grid.
keywords natural snow production fluffy snow crystals snow making system artificial cloud