Instead of snow plowing, the Japanese melt the snow by using sprinklers spraying hot underground water on the roads. The technology is brilliant and makes sense, considering the country’s geography and the existing infrastructure. Learn more about this clever snow removal technique in this video.
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References:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00705524
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/01/japan-snow-country/426738/
https://www.agru.at/en/applications/agruline/sprinkler-system-for-de-icing-on-railway/
https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/107318
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✏️ Design Nerd Series — Season 1.
Created by Valentin Shevtsov, 2022.
8 Comments
What is the temperature that this system wouldn't work from the temperature being too cold outside? Like if it was -20C would this work? or wouldn't all the water on the roads turn to ice and cause a problem?
This is a nice video as an intro to the concept. But as another has mentioned, this is not feasible in colder temperatures unless you add additives to the water such as salt or alcohol.
It Nigata rarely goes below -2 degrees Celsius. In condition under -10 I doubt this would be safe
So looks like a concept that works if you:
– Don't go far below zero in air temperature
– Have ample access to geo-thermal energy
– Have ample access to water
Nice concept, but it really is very localized in its usefulness.
Is it a saline solution that's being pumped through the sprinklers? Otherwise I'm not sure how this isn't creating more of a mess
On larger roads they use big snow throwers to clear the snow away.
get off reddit, you spamming twatwaffle
Yeah i thought water and cold make ice
Yeah i thought water and cold make ice