Ice rinks are not just for skating and with ice rink technology always improving, skating can happen in new places without the use of water or energy. They are also an essential part of community life and a fun experience for everyone. In the Netherlands, GEA converted an old 400-meter rink into a modern one. The system utilizes carbon dioxide in the rink tubes. The result was the first 400-meter ice rink in the world.
Synthetic ice rinks
Synthetic ice rink technology has many advantages over traditional ice surfaces. These surfaces can be cleaned more easily than conventional ice surfaces and offer a better aesthetic quality. For this reason, synthetic ice is an excellent choice for all-year-round ice sports. Unlike natural ice, synthetic ice doesn’t require any additional lubricant, water, or power.
Synthetic ice rinks are perfect for the most popular ice sports, and are fun for the whole family. They require little maintenance, requiring only daily or weekly cleaning, depending on their location. Synthetic ice rinks can be installed on any type of ground, including uneven surfaces. Moreover, their joints are barely noticeable when skating.
Synthetic ice rinks are a great choice for both commercial and home use. They are eco-friendly and are made from recycled materials. These rinks also require little maintenance and do not need electricity or water. They can be installed indoors or outdoors and are available all year round. They are also suitable for learning to skate because they are less slippery than real ice.
The first synthetic ice rinks were made of polyoxymethylene plastic. Today, this type of ice is commonly used in ice rinks and is composed of solid interlocking blocks made of different polymers. These blocks create a smooth, even surface for skating. This rink surface also allows for conventional metal-bladed ice skates to be used.
The first synthetic ice panels were large squares installed in small rooms. This innovative technology soon led to the creation of the first synthetic ice rinks on a large scale. This made it possible for more people to have access to skating without the need for a professional rink. This innovation exploded the popularity of ice skating. However, early synthetic ice plastic had many limitations, including a constant need for liquid.
Lester and Joe Patrick
The Patrick brothers were the pioneers of indoor ice rinks. In the early 1900s, they established hockey leagues in the northwest United States and western Canada. They also built the first enclosed ice rinks in Victoria and Vancouver. The Vancouver rink was the largest building in Canada and seated 10,000 people. These pioneers also introduced many standard practices for indoor ice rinks.
Ice rinks use a refrigerant that cools brinewater, a calcium-chloride solution that is pumped through a system of pipes under the ice. These pipes are embedded into a concrete or sand base. The refrigerant is not a chemical, but rather a fluid that is extremely cold.
GEA
GEA is a specialist in industrial flake ice. They have now applied their know-how in the manufacture of artificial snow. These snowflakes, which contain no additives, are prepared ahead of time and then blown through a hose to a distance of up to 100 meters.
The Dutch ice rink Jaap Eden first used GEA technology in its conversion of an existing 400-meter rink to a modern system. The conversion was the first such project in the world and the system makes use of carbon dioxide in the rink tubes. This new approach is also much more efficient and uses fewer resources than traditional glycol-based systems.
GEA Ice Rink Technology has developed a new system to make ice rinks safer for skaters. It uses ammonia (R717), a highly efficient natural refrigerant that does not harm the ozone layer or contribute to global warming. It also uses a control panel by GEA, which features a remote-access system known as GEA OmniLink. Additionally, it offers a data-history tool known as OmniHistorian.
GEA Ice Rink Technology provides a system that works regardless of the weather. The GEA system includes a refrigeration package designed for plug-and-play installation. The screw compressor units, which generate a cooling capacity of up to 1490kW, have a smaller footprint than their predecessors. These units also use high-speed motors that operate at 1000 to 4500 rpm.
Ice rinks are used for a variety of sports and recreational activities. Even a slight difference in ice quality can mean the difference between a gold medal-winning performance and a scraped knee. In addition, artificially frozen ice rinks use the same refrigeration technology as air conditioners and refrigerators.
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