Patent ID: 6151913
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: C01B,F25C

Abstract:
A device for forming snow from pressurized fluids comprising:a supply conduit for delivering a flow of pressurized fluid,an expansion member attached across the supply conduit, the expansion member containing a plurality of channels for reducing pressure on the fluid for converting the fluid with reduced pressure into a mixed-phase stream of gas and fine snow particles, the plurality of channels having an average diameter and an average length of at least twice its average diameter, andan agglomeration chamber attached to the end of the supply conduit for agglomerating the fine snow particles by contacting the fine snow particles together, wherein the agglomeration chamber consists of (i) a cylindrically shaped snow horn for discharging agglomerated snow particles, said snow horn having a diameter of at least three times the diameter of the supply conduit, or (ii) a curved tubular member for directing the fine snow particles against a surface of the curved tubular member for the agglomerating of the fine snow particles, the tubular member having an open end.