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Thermally Absorptive Blankets for Highly Efficient Snowbank Melting
Owen L Hansen1, Andrew B Sheen1, Kristen M Swedberg1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|January 30, 2018
Summary
A new method uses a thermally absorptive blanket to melt snowbanks significantly faster. This passive technique increases snow melt rates by 300%, offering an efficient way to manage snow accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Physics
Background:
- Fallen snow exhibits high reflectivity, leading to slow melt rates even above freezing.
- Traditional snow management can be time-consuming and energy-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a simple, passive method for accelerating snowbank melt.
- To quantify the effectiveness of a thermally absorptive blanket for snowmelt enhancement.
Main Methods:
- A thermally absorptive blanket was draped over snowbanks under controlled experimental conditions.
- Spectroscopic analysis was used to determine the absorptivity of the blanket compared to bare snow.
- Melt rates were measured and compared between blanket-covered and uncovered snowbanks.
Main Results:
- Snowbanks covered with the thermally absorptive blanket melted 300% faster than control snowbanks.
- The blanket demonstrated a threefold increase in solar absorptivity compared to bare snow.
- Increased absorptivity directly contributed to overcoming the latent heat of fusion, accelerating melt.
Conclusions:
- Draping a thermally absorptive blanket is a highly effective passive method for rapid snowbank melting.
- This technique leverages increased solar absorption to enhance energy transfer, significantly speeding up the melting process.
- The method offers a practical and efficient solution for managing snowmelt in various applications.
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