In order to investigate the critical snow formation height of the mixed single-aperture nucleator within the artificial snow machine

an industrial microscope was used to observe the microstructure of the snow crystals

measure the critical snow formation height threshold

and analyse the effect of the air-to-water pressure ratio (0.4MPa:0.4MPa

0.5MPa:0.45MPa

and 0.5MPa:0.4MPa) and the ambient temperatures (-5℃

-10℃

and -15℃) on the critical snow formation height. The results showed that under the working condition of air-water pressure ratio of 0.4MPa:0.4MPa

when the temperatures were -5℃ and -10℃

the threshold of critical snow formation height did not exist

and when the temperature was -15℃

it was able to form snow

and the threshold of critical snow formation height was 50~55cm; when the air-water pressure ratios were 0.5MPa:0.45MPa

0.5MPa:0.4MPa

the three ambient temperatures can form snow. And the gas-water pressure ratio and ambient temperature will have a certain effect on the critical snow height

under the same ambient temperature

the larger the gas-water pressure ratio

the smaller the critical snow height; The critical snow formation height increases as the ambient temperature increases from -15°C to -5°C while keeping the air-water pressure ratio constant. When the gas-water pressure ratio is 0.5MPa:0.45MPa

the trend of critical snow formation height with temperature is larger

and the temperature has a greater impact on the critical snow formation height. The results of the study can provide a basis for the design of the optimized arrangement between the nucleator and the nozzle of the snow-making machine.