The problem with directly applying heat to
melt snow accumulation from streets and
roadways is that it takes a lot of calories of
heat to affect the transformation from the
solid to the liquid state. Accelerate the
process by raising the temperature at the
roadbed and you may ignite the tires
of
the vehicle before you achieve the desired
results.
Design concept: Flat bed trailer with an
under carriage snow removal vacuum/
blower being drawn along the roadway.
The vacuumed snow is thrown into an
accumulator where heat derived from the
burning of propane is applied to the
slurry. The slurry water is drained by
gravity through another propane water
heater and then released back into the
street at a temperature raised to the point
that it would drain into the curb before
refreezing.
Augmenting this process, there would be
blowers at the rear of the trailer directing
a high volume of air across the surface of
the pavement driving the remaining snow
and liquid toward the curb.
The principal control parameters would be
the speed of the vehicle, the water level
within the accumulator and the
temperature of the exaust water. It would
be desirable for the Snow Melt Generator
to effectively clear streets and still
maintain a speed of 10 to 20 mph. The
heat transfer into the accumulator would
be most efficient below the liquid level.
The temperature of the exaust liquid
would be primary control parameter.
A liquid exaust valve would remain closed
until a predetermined liquid level in the
accumulator was reached. It would then
open allowing water to gravity feed to the
next water heater. An exit valve would be
modulated through a temperature control
loop to maintain a fixed exit temperature.
Load sensors measuring the weight of the
accumulator would provide feedback to
the driver, so that he may judge the speed
at which he may operate the vehicle.