Characterization of snow produced in a climatic wind tunnel

Using the experimental devices of the Jules Verne climatic wind tunnel, it is possible to make snow that has a specified liquid water content. Measurements of the density of the snow mantle and of the shape and size of the snow grains show that the snow produced is equivalent to 1/2-day-old natural snow or snow drifted by wind. This paper describes a theoretical model of the snow-making process. The model describes the injection of a high pressure water/air mixture with "snow guns" into low-temperature ambient air. This model uses the Goertler theory for the air jet, the classic ballistic laws for the water droplets and the heat and mass transfer laws in forced convection and evaporation for the freezing mechanisms of the water droplets. This model provides good agreement between the flying time and the freezing time of the water droplets within certain limitations. The variation of the liquid water content as a function of the distance from the snow gun is also well described. copyright 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR.