A swirl nozzle is a vital component in an outdoor snow-maker

directly affecting the rate and amount of snow production. An atomization experimental facility was designed and established to test swirl nozzles in outdoor snow-makers. The influence of the water supply pressure on the atomization effect of the nozzle and the heat transfer performance between water droplets and the environment were experimentally studied. The results showed that the spray shape was a hollow spindle with poor atomization in the low-pressure section. With an increase in the inlet pressure

a dramatic increase in the spray cone angle was observed. At high pressure

the spray shape was a hollow cone with a relatively stable cone angle. When the spray had a stable shape

the mass flow rate increased

the Sauter mean diameter decreased with an increase in the inlet pressure

and the atomization cone angle stabilized at 76°. Moreover

the increased pressure improved the heat transfer efficiency of the spray

resulting in a shorter heat transfer time to the ambient. This study supports the structural design of snow-maker atomization components.