Installation of snow melting: types, operating principle

In winter, residents of large cities located in the northern regions of the country can observe public utilities workers on the streets, saving sidewalks and roads from snow. After abundant precipitation, the daily volumes of the harvested masses can be estimated at tens of tons, which are exported by snowplows. At the sight of such pictures, for sure, many are wondering about the end of snow cleaning. What happens to him next? The answer should begin with a description of the overall process of clearing snow.

The technological process of utilization of snow

City administrations in winter organize special items for the utilization of snow. Work begins to get rid of the snow masses from harvesting with special equipment and the efforts of workers. Further, precipitation is collected in the receiving complexes, which can be both stationary and mobile. In the future, a snow melting unit comes into operation, and it also recycles. Typically, the work is organized in-line and involves several pieces of harvesting equipment. Trucks can carry snow masses from streets, roads, squares and paths, and then dump them into special bunkers. Further work depends on the type of snow melting complex.

The device of domestic snow-melting machines

In the most common version, Russian snow throwers include a heat generating unit, a receiving hopper and a separate installation for filtration. As an element for heating, a snow melting unit of this type can use diesel or gas burners. A feature of such structures is the possibility of applying heat radiation from exhaust gases by forming heated air above the snow cover. In addition, the water produced after processing does not come into contact with the produced exhausts, therefore, this type of units are also beneficial from the ecological point of view.

There is such a snow blower and a significant disadvantage, which is the inability to handle masses with a high concentration of debris. It is known that the utilization of snow provides thorough filtration, after which branches, household waste, stones, sand, etc. remain. If the incoming mass contains too large amounts of foreign objects, the maintenance crew will have to take special measures to clean the station itself of garbage .

Principle of operation

A heating element in the form of a burner generates streams of hot exhaust gases that are directed through a heat exchanger located close to the reservoir with snow. The heated gas, while moving along the turbulent flow, heats the heat exchanger material, as a result of which further heat transfer takes place. In the latest modifications, the snow melting unit provides a double effect of heat fluxes. In more advanced designs, the heated water layers form upflows and transmit heat to the loaded snow masses.

To realize the principle of double thermal impact, the design is developed with the expectation of mixing flows. With this scheme, heat transfer occurs both directly from the burners and from the heated seams. Such installations have a system for forced transfer of heated water. Technically, this is provided through special equipment - as a rule, snow melting points of this type are supplied with irrigation systems and pumps. In the upper zone of the heat exchanger, exhausted gas masses come in, which already in the cooled state exit into the atmosphere through the collector.

Installation of foreign snow-melting units

The most functional and productive installations are offered by Canadian developers. In particular, the models working on the base of submersible burners proved to be quite good. The advantages of such equipment include the high efficiency of the thermal process. The design uses a burner placed in water, so a direct contact of the flame with water in a special chamber is realized. This configuration virtually eliminates heat losses.

In addition to the function of traditional L-shaped burners, the Canadian-made snow melting plant is capable of providing a "dry start" without first filling the hopper with water. Under the immersion heating elements, a lot of free space is provided, which is used for garbage collection. Perhaps, this is the main positive difference of this snow thrower from the domestic design. In the process of using such machines, there are practically no problems with clogs, since the garbage is removed through a special hatch located at the rear of the unit.

Snow melting varieties

In addition to the basic separation of snow throwers in terms of design features, there are also classifications according to the installation method and the type of fuel used for the burners. With regard to the type of installation, the machines are divided into mobile and stationary. The former are able to process snow masses directly at the site of collection, while the latter serve as technical support for special items. As a fuel source, a snow melting machine can use heat networks, sewage energy, waste water, diesel or other organic fuel. It is also practiced to combine several thermal sources, each of which is used in the most favorable conditions for it.

Cost of equipment

Manufacturers implement installations in different formats of technical performance. It can be a small melting station with low productivity, and complexes that can serve the whole city. In the initial segment, snow melting units are presented, the prices for which are 300-500 thousand rubles. If it is required to fully equip the point of acceptance and further processing of snow masses, then it is necessary to prepare for the investment of 1-1.5 million. It must also be taken into account that some services for designing and assembling equipment may be required - in this case we can talk about amounts in a 100- 200 thousand.

Conclusion

The struggle with the snow cover only from the outside seems to be a simple exercise, with which public services should be managed without problems. But not always cleaning snow provides an acceptable result. The same applies to the final stage of the event - the utilization of snow masses. The more productive and functional the snow melting unit, the more efficiently the remaining cleaning steps are performed. Modern models of snowmobiles for the sake of economy are also interfaced with other communication systems. For example, combining with heating channels and sewerage allows saving fuel energy and optimizing the operation of equipment.