page_title: Snowmelter
section_title: Types
hierarchical_section_title: Snowmelter / Types
caption_attribution_description: 日本語: 温水散水式融雪機 English: Hot water spray type snow melter
context_page_description: A snow melter is a piece of snow removal equipment designed to melt snow using flame burners, hot water or both. The melt-water is discharged into a storm drain or onto the ground. Melting snow artificially helps keep roads, airport tarmacs and other surfaces clear and ready to use, and the technology is primarily employed in areas where trucking snow is not geographically or economically feasible. A built-in snowmelt system which melts the snow where it falls is another snow removal alternative.
  Snow melters have been used since the 19th century.
context_section_description: Basic types of snow melters are mobile, semi-mobile and stationary. Mobile snow melters drive down a street or along a rail line collecting snow and melting it. These often have a holding tank so the melt-water can be discharged at a designated location. Semi-mobile units have wheels and are moved into position and then loaded with snow by another machine. Stationary snowmelt systems may be built into the ground.
  Submerged combustion snowmelters use a flame that is applied to the snow, or a water bath. The flame causes tiny bubbles to form that transfer their heat almost instantly to the bath. Snow melters are rated by how many tons of snow they can melt in one hour.
caption: A stationary shower type snow melter
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