How do skating rinks stay frozen?
3 min read
Asked by: Joyce Morgan
The most common method of refrigeration used in keeping an ice rink frozen is an indirect refrigeration system. This is where a liquid refrigerant (often ammonia) absorbs heat from a secondary liquid (often brine) which has absorbed heat from the source.
How does the ice not melt in ice skating?
The Zamboni’s role
The water is warmed to about 140-145 degrees. It doesn’t melt the ice because it freezes pretty quickly. But the hotter the water the smoother the surface it creates.
What chemical is used in ice rinks?
Ammonia is commonly used in mechanical refrigeration systems, including those found in ice rinks. The chemical, which runs in pipes below the surface, has kept ice cold in arenas across the country since 1915.
How thick is the ice in an NHL rink?
The jersey is sometimes called a sweater because, during hockey’s early years, players actually wore sweaters and not the mesh-like jerseys of today. How thick is the ice? Ice is approximately 3/4″ of an inch thick and is usually chilled at 16 degrees fahrenheit. The thicker the ice, the softer and slower it becomes.
Are ice rinks actually ice?
An ice rink (or ice skating rink) is a frozen body of water and/or an artificial sheet of ice created using hardened chemicals where people can ice skate or play winter sports.
How does NHL ice stay frozen?
At the beginning of the hockey season, the arena uses an advanced refrigeration system that pumps freezing “brinewater” (salt water) through a system of pipes that run through a large piece of concrete known as the “ice slab.” When the “ice slab” gets cold enough, layers of water are applied to it.
What do they do with the ice after a hockey game?
The ice in an ice hockey rink is only removed when the regular season and playoffs are finished. When it’s time to get rid of the ice, the brinewater is warmed and circulated under the ice to begin the melting process. Once the ice has melted sufficiently, it is then broken up and carted off by front end loaders.
Why do ice rinks stay frozen?
These compressors push brine or a glycol solution through a big tank of cooling ammonia, and then out into the “extensive grid of PVC pipes underneath the concrete floor of the rink.” The cold liquid brings the whole massive slab of concrete to below freezing — which means water on top forms a layer of ice.
Do ice skates melt ice?
Yes, it might cause melting if the surface temperature is very close to 0°C, but it is usually colder than that. I have measured ice temperatures on lakes and streams where the ice is thick enough for skating; the surface temperature is fairly close to air temperature.
How is ice made for ice skating rink?
Room they are a powerful compressor pumps refrigeration fluid usually methanol or saline through pipes running underneath the rinks floor. The concrete chills to between minus 7 point 7 and minus 9
What does a Zamboni do to the ice?
Shaving the Ice: A zamboni cuts away the top layer of ice (often 1/16th of an inch or less) using a sharp blade, much like a shaving razor. Rotating augers carry away the shavings into the ‘snow tank,’ which lies toward the front of the machine. Washing the Ice: Underneath the snow tank lies the water tank.
How long does it take to make the ice for the rink?
Refrigeration of the concrete slab has accelerated the ice-making process, too, so that it can be done in about 90 minutes, depending on the refrigeration technology used and how many are working on the rink preparation.
