How the largest skating rink in the world works. Secrets: how are ice skating rinks created? What is synthetic ice made from?

Once on the way from the skating rink, we started talking about which skating rinks are better: artificial ones or with the most natural ice? And is it really possible to ride on artificial ones even at temperatures slightly above zero...

When it comes to artificial skating rinks, there appears to be some confusion regarding the terms used to describe the type of ice used. This could be artificial ice, which is still water, albeit specially purified and frozen by a refrigeration unit. And this could be synthetic ice, which is also often called artificial, which creates confusion: such ice no longer needs water.

Artificial ice

Photo: http://masterxoloda.ru/2/item/kak-zalivayut-iskusstvennyj-katok

To create artificial ice, refrigeration units are used, connected to complex systems of cooling tubes located at the base of the rink.

With the help of such installations it is possible to maintain the required ice temperature even at above-zero air temperatures. At the same time, for classes figure skating The optimal ice temperature is around -3..-4 degrees: at this temperature the ice is quite close to the melting point, therefore it is softer and less likely to chip during jumping.

In turn, hockey players prefer slightly colder and harder ice with a temperature of -5 degrees: such ice is more resistant to the active destructive effects produced by ten field players.

Open city skating rinks with artificial ice They also allow you to skate in fairly warm weather: different skating rinks indicate the upper operating temperature in the range of +7..+9 degrees.

One of the most ambitious skating rinks with artificial ice is the high-mountain skating rink Medeo in Kazakhstan, which operates for 8 months a year: the thickness of the ice coating is as much as 2.3 meters, and 170 kilometers of cooling tubes are used to artificially freeze the ice!

Synthetic ice

Photo: http://stroitehnika.kz/catalog/service/stroitelstvo_sportivnyh_obektov/sinteticheskij_led1326783056.html

It is essentially ice made from polyethylene, abbreviated UHMWPE: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

Such “ice” no longer cares about the ambient temperature, so it can be completely freely used in shopping centers, and even on the beaches: the permissible temperature of synthetic ice is in the range of -70..+70 degrees.

Synthetic ice is sold in the form of rectangular sheets 1-2 centimeters thick and about 2x4 meters in size, which are laid on the most even, solid base and tightly joined to each other. The service life of such panels is about 10 years: five years on each side.

It must be said that this invention is not new and was first tested for skating back in the 1960s.

To improve gliding on synthetic ice, special lubricants are used on its surface. There are also “self-lubricating” options with lubricant integrated directly into the ice material

And even though synthetic ice is on this moment However, the quality of skating is inferior to “water” ice; a number of commercial advantages make it a popular material for creating a skating rink:

• Possibility of use at high positive temperatures
• mobility in transportation and installation
• significantly cheaper and easier surface care

Ice skating is a popular thing! How was it made all-season? What is artificial ice? And what are the secrets of ordinary ice? It turns out that making a good skating rink is a whole science!

Many have observed this picture: during breaks in hockey matches or figure skating competitions, unusual cars drive into the arena. Skating sessions at city sites are also interrupted so that the harvesters can leave. These are resurfacers - from the English surface - surface, they clean and level it. Among themselves, professionals call this procedure “treatment.”

The specialists who monitor the condition of the skating rinks are called ice makers. This is not taught anywhere specifically. The project manager for mobile ice rinks, Pavel Zhukov, for example, played hockey as a child, then coached a team, and every time he checked the quality of the surface himself. So the hockey player turned into an ice maker.

One of the most authoritative ice makers in the world is Grigory Yakovlev, an ice technology expert at the Moscow Megasport Arena. He developed his own technology for obtaining a surface for high-speed skating. And he used it on three of the five Olympic skating rinks in Sochi. The specialist is confident that speed skating records were set at those games thanks to quality ice at the arena in Adler.

In general, the first ice-filling combine appeared in 1949 in the warm state of California. It was invented by the American Frank Zamboni. By that time, he and his brother had opened the largest skating rink in the United States, measuring 30 by 60 meters, which could accommodate up to 800 people. At first, it took 4 workers to level the ice, who spent several hours manually sanding it with sandpaper and refilling it. Machines made it possible to do the same thing in just 10 minutes! It's no wonder they became popular.

The harvester has a blade that can cut off up to 8 mm of the top layer of ice. Usually much less is removed - it all depends on the depth of the scratches and chips. Snow shavings fall into a tank that holds up to 1200 kg. The machine gradually supplies hot water to the cleaned surface of the ice. It is evenly distributed by a cloth called a “towel”. High water temperature is needed so that the liquid does not immediately freeze, but penetrates into cracks and depressions, forming a new one - even! - top layer of ice. When everything is done, the harvester leaves the arena and dumps the snow shavings into a special melting pit.

Under the concrete base there are pipes with a cooling agent, which comes from refrigeration devices - chillers (from the English chill - to cool). Some models are so powerful that they can keep the skating rink in working condition in heat of +45 degrees! There are several layers of thermal insulation under the pipes so that the cold only goes up.

Interestingly, ice made this way, due to slow cooling, turns out to be very homogeneous and completely transparent - which, oddly enough, is not very good. So that hockey players can better see the puck and markings, it is painted white (using additives). And at public skating rinks they do this so that fallen objects are visible and no one gets injured. Sometimes, for the same purpose, the base of the skating rink is simply painted white. And then they slowly pour water, freezing it a millimeter at a time. It takes about a week to achieve a layer of 4 centimeters.

The ice must be different for each sport. For hockey, for example, you need a hard one - the blades of the skates are very sharp and the players fight hard. For short track speed skating, another characteristic is important - smoothness. Speed ​​depends on it. Skaters have their own requirements; they need medium-hard ice due to the many jumps.

Ice makers from different countries has its own secret ingredients to create the perfect sliding surface. For example, in Moscow at VDNKh there is the most big skating rink Europe, its area is 20,000 sq.m., up to 27,000 people visit here every day. The huge surface actually consists of 9 parts, which were poured one by one.

The main problem in recent years for open-air Moscow skating rinks is too warm weather. And often, in order not to cancel training, athletes use artificial ice. Here, 10-year-old hockey player Masha from the Moscow region practices hitting the puck on just such a surface.

Essentially it's plastic. How is the sliding effect achieved? On regular ice A thin layer of water forms under the blade of the skate due to pressure. Here, the manufacturer recommends using an emulsion, and also wearing special skates that are more reminiscent of rollers.

The advantage is that you can skate on such ice even in summer, and there is no need for huge expenses for the operation of refrigeration units. But the properties of artificial ice are still quite far from natural, and, for example, you cannot practice speed skating on it.

So the profession of ice maker is not in danger of disappearing. Nice skating rink cannot yet be replaced with any, even the most advanced plastic.

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Many have observed the following picture: during breaks in hockey matches or figure skating competitions, unusual cars drive into the arena. Skating sessions at city sites are also interrupted so that the harvesters can leave. These are resurfacers (from the English surface surface), they clean and level the coating. Among themselves, professionals call this procedure “treatment.”

The specialists who monitor the condition of the skating rinks are called ice makers. This is not taught anywhere specifically. If the roller is under open air, it cracks, it must be cleaned and maintained daily, there must be a certain thickness of ice, which is achieved using special equipment.

The first ice filling machine appeared in 1949 in the warm state of California. It was invented by the American Frank Zamboni. By that time, he and his brother had opened the largest skating rink in the United States, measuring 30 by 60 meters, which could accommodate up to 800 people. At first, it took 4 workers to level the coating, who spent several hours manually sanding it with sandpaper and re-filling it. Machines made it possible to do the same thing in just 10 minutes. It's no wonder they became popular.

The harvester has a blade that can cut off up to 8 millimeters of the top layer of ice. Usually much less is removed, it all depends on the depth of the scratches and chips. Snow shavings fall into a tank that holds up to 1200 kilograms. The machine gradually supplies hot water to the cleaned surface. It is evenly distributed by a cloth called a “towel”. High water temperatures are needed so that the liquid does not immediately freeze, but penetrates into cracks and depressions, forming a new, even top layer of ice. When everything is done, the harvester leaves the arena and dumps the snow shavings into a special melting pit.

Under the concrete base of the skating rink there are pipes with a cooling agent, which comes from refrigeration devices chillers (from the English chill to cool). Some models are so powerful that they can keep the skating rink in working condition in 45-degree heat. Several layers of thermal insulation are laid under the pipes so that the cold only goes up.

Ice made using this technology, due to slow cooling, turns out to be very homogeneous and completely transparent, which, by the way, is not very good. So that hockey players can better see the puck and markings, it is painted white with the help of additives. And at public skating rinks they do this so that fallen objects are visible and no one gets injured. Sometimes, for the same purpose, the base of the skating rink is simply painted white. And then they slowly pour water, freezing it a millimeter at a time. It takes about a week to achieve a layer of 4 centimeters. Details in the program "

Surely, each of you has attended an event on artificial ice at least once - be it hockey match, competitions in figure skating or just a group ride.

Here I would like to talk about reverse side obtaining artificial ice, using the example of a small ice complex.
As a rule, we don’t go beyond the rental of skating rinks and the ice itself. I invite you to visit the heart of the skating rink - the room where the refrigeration equipment is located.

Usually no one thinks about how a stable artificial ice coating is obtained and how it is maintained even at positive ambient temperatures.

General information:
This ice skating rink is located in Aleksandrovsk Perm region. In the region in last years several similar skating rinks have been built and are already in operation in small regional cities and villages...
Based on conversations with people, the small town was looking forward to the opening of the skating rink with great anticipation.

There is no ice at all - the artificial skating rink is a smooth concrete surface. But inside it is a whole layer cake - tubes are laid in the concrete layers where the liquid coolant flows.
As a rule, in Russia, a 40% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol (hereinafter simply glycol) is used as a coolant for ice fields.
Almost any motorist knows what it is - in cars, glycol solutions are known as antifreeze.
Under it, more layers of heat and vapor barriers are laid, and then another concrete layer with pipes for heating the soil from freezing. These layers are needed to prevent the soil under the ice field from freezing and swelling. If this had not happened, we would have had permafrost under the ice layer - with all the ensuing consequences: swelling and rising of the soil.
The pipelines in the field itself are made of polyethylene pipes. The diameter of the tubes is only 25 mm. Collectors are laid out along the long edges of the field and these pipes are spread between them.
Glycol with a temperature of -12 degrees C is supplied to the pipe system of the ice field; at the exit from the field its temperature should be -9 degrees C.
Freon R404a is used as a refrigerant. The coolant for the ice field and soil heating is 40% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol.

Refrigeration center (room where refrigeration equipment is located):
The heart of any ice rink is often called differently: refrigeration center, refrigeration unit room, etc., it all depends on the imagination of the designer or architect). Almost all the main equipment of the refrigeration system is located there.
Steel pipes were used for the installation of glycol pipes, and copper pipes for freon.

Photo - General form refrigeration center

In the foreground are pumps: field cooling systems (main and backup) - they are recognizable by their black insulated pipelines, a soil heating pump and a small pump for feeding/filling the system.
Total 4 pieces.
Pumps circulate coolant (coolant) through piping systems and ice field tubes.
On the right is the refrigeration machine itself - more about it below.
It can be seen that the pipelines and fittings of a 40% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol are made of foam rubber insulation. This is done in order to avoid condensation from falling out of the air on the cold surface of the pipes.

Photo - Pumps of the main circuit of the ice field. In the background is the control panel for all pumps.

Photo - General view of the refrigeration machine

Actually, the refrigeration machine itself: it directly cools the glycol in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger (at the bottom of the machine itself) - it acts as an evaporator, where, due to the boiling of freon, heat is taken from the glycol circulating in the field. The movement of freon gas through the system is carried out by two screw compressors (green in the background).
Freon boils in a shell-and-tube heat exchanger - during boiling, heat is taken from the glycol and cooled. Freon turns from a liquid state into a gas and is pumped into condensers by compressors.
Thermometers are visible in the photographs - they are installed to visually monitor the temperatures of liquids at the inlets/outlets of the heat exchangers.
Also the refrigeration machine is used to maintain the temperature inside

The red and blue pipelines suitable for the plate heat exchanger are pipelines for the soil heating system; a 40% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol is also used there.
The plate heat exchanger in this case is a recuperator: the heat of hot gaseous freon is used for glycol in the soil heating system - at discharge it has a temperature of about 90 degrees C.
A control panel is installed on the right side of the frame - all temperature parameters of the installation are set on it.

Photo - Capacitor pad

Capacitors are used to remove heat from the ice field into the environment. In this case, air cooling. Freon condenses in them - it passes from a gaseous state into a liquid. After the condensers, it is already in a liquid state and again enters the shell-and-tube evaporator and the cycle repeats again.

Photo - Capacitor close up

The condenser is a copper heat exchanger with fans (to forcefully increase the efficiency of heat transfer). Here the fans are covered with snow because... The system did not start for a long time.

Photo - Skating

If you have questions, I’m ready to answer them in the comments.
Original taken from

Today, many people, when deciding where to go on the weekend or holidays, opt for the skating rink. Moreover, not only young people go there, but also older people. And this is very true: “a healthy mind in a healthy body.”

In with artificial ice it is no longer uncommon. This sport and, of course, recreation is rapidly gaining popularity for several reasons:

• You can do it as soon as you decide to go to the skating rink, that is, this activity does not require large financial investments, since you can rent skates (or buy your own new ones - not that expensive).

• Before going to the skating rink, it is not necessary to worry about whether you have a certain physical fitness or whether it is completely absent. Just go and ride for your own pleasure.

People are starting to get so used to this pastime that they don’t want to give it up even in the summer. And here an artificial skating rink comes to the rescue. Great idea! Moreover, more and more skating rinks with artificial (synthetic) ice are appearing in Russia.

Types of these rollers

All artificial skating rinks are divided into two types:

• With synthetic ice. Such rollers can operate in any shopping complex all year round. They do not require low ambient temperatures.
• With ice from the water. This coating is created using special equipment. It can only be installed in rooms where a certain low temperature is maintained.

That is, it turns out that “the skating rink is different.” Let's understand the terms.

What is synthetic ice

Synthetic ice is a monolithic surface created by connecting sheet thermal panels, which are made on the basis of polyethylene (moreover, high molecular weight). This coating is excellent for hockey, skating, including figure skating, curling and short track speed skating. Moreover, to skate on such a surface there is no need to purchase special skates. Regular figure or hockey ones are quite suitable.

On a note! Information for doubters: the sliding of a skate blade on synthetic ice is 90% identical to sliding on ice made from water (that is, traditional). This is excellent proof that with synthetic ice, an artificial skating rink is a very innovative project. And it is in no way inferior to its “out of water” counterpart. While riding, you will hardly even feel the difference.

Panel fastening methods

Polyethylene sheet panels for artificial skating rink can be connected to each other in two ways:

• Using a tongue-and-groove-pin connection. This method is suitable for panels that are installed not only indoors, but also outdoors.

Important! The basic basis for slabs connected in the manner described above can be: asphalt, soil, concrete, tiles, wooden and metal platforms. The only condition is that the base must be strong and as smooth and even as possible.

• Using the so-called special dovetail fastening. This method is suitable for artificial skating rinks that have a perfectly flat base base. Regarding the temperature - it should not differ by large differences. There are only two conditions.

Advantages of synthetic ice

Synthetic ice has many advantages:

• Installation and operation of a skating rink with artificial ice (synthetic) is significantly cheaper than its analogue, for the production of which refrigeration units and water are used.
• Quick payback of the structure.
• Has high moisture resistance.
• No noise generated by running compressors.
• High speed of installation work due to the mobility of the slabs.
• Absence of strict requirements for premises and sites where skating rinks with artificial ice (synthetic) are installed.
• The ability to give the skating rink absolutely any shape.
• It is environmentally friendly.
• Durability.

What is artificial ice

Artificial ice is equipped with the help of a whole set of tubes (mats), through which coolant and, of course, water constantly circulate. Ice appears as a result of the formation of intermediate antifreeze. The tubes (each 25 mm thick), located in a concrete or sand base, are made of plastic or steel.

A little history

In 1876, or, to be more precise, on January 7, the residents of London were invited to the world's first ice skating rink. Naturally it was not outdoor skating rink with artificial ice, but indoors. This event took place in the Chelsea area, which was considered one of the most fashionable in the city. The townspeople liked the skating rink, and they reacted very positively to its arrangement. In those days, skates were nothing more than metal runners attached to a wooden base. These riding devices were tied to shoes using leather straps or ropes.

Then, in 1881, an artificial skating rink began operating in the city of Frankfurt am Main. Its area was about 533 square meters. He delighted the population from August to October. And then indoor and outdoor artificial skating rinks were built with enviable consistency. Russia also did not remain aloof from this process. Throughout time, the skating rink has always remained a favorite vacation spot for residents and guests of Moscow.

Moscow delights residents and guests of the capital with its skating rinks

How great it is to get together with a fun group and go to the skating rink. And if it’s also a free artificial skating rink, then the joy doubles, that is, “cheap and cheerful.” And it doesn’t matter whether you know how to ride or not. The main thing is good company and time spent with health benefits. What could be better!

There are about 200 free skating rinks with artificial ice in Moscow. Here are some of them:

• In the Fili park complex.
• In Krylatskoe.
• In the park complex called “50 Years of October”.
• At the Olimpiysky sports complex.
• In the park complexes: “Northern Dubki”, “Angarskie Ponds”, “Goncharovsky” and “Dubki”.
• On the territory of VDNKh in Ostankino.
• In the Nikulino park complex.
• IN Vorontsovsky Park.
• On the territory adjacent to the construction of the Northern River Station.

On a note! If the air temperature exceeds + 5 degrees, as well as on holidays and when competitions are taking place, then changes in the work schedule of the skating rinks are possible.

In Fili Park

Address: Novozavodskaya street, 18. The skating rink will not disappoint you: 800 square meters of artificial ice, there are places where you can change clothes, have a snack and go to the toilet. You can ride in the morning until 10 pm. At the end of the working week, namely on Friday, as well as on Saturday evening (from 17:00 to 20:00), you can attend music discos (right on the ice). Moreover, you can skate on your own skates absolutely free of charge, but renting skates (if you don’t have your own) and sharpening them will cost you a small amount (see prices below, at the end of the article).

Skating rink in Krylatskoye

Address: 26 k.3. The area (1800 square meters), covered with artificial ice, operates in the morning, namely from 10:00 to 22:00. The downside of the skating rink is that you won’t be able to rent skates due to the lack of such a service. Therefore, you will have to be content with your own skates.

"50 years of October"

Address: Udaltsova Street, 22. There are locker rooms, food stations (if necessary) and, of course, toilets. Skate rental and sharpening are guaranteed (paid services). Opening hours: 10:00 - 22:00.

Sports complex "Olympic"

Walk for 3-4 minutes from the Prospekt Mira metro station and you can already see the skating rink with an area of ​​1250 square meters (address: Olimpiysky Prospekt, 16). During the working week you can ride from 16:00 to 22:00. But on “weekend” (Sat and Sun) - from 11:00 to 22:00. Entry costs nothing. Need a wardrobe - please; Need skate rental, please (paid service).

“Northern Dubki”, “Angarskie Ponds”, “Goncharovsky” and “Dubki”

Addresses: Keramicheskiy proezd, building 65-71/1, st. building 21/1, st. Rustaveli, vl. 7 and st. Dubki, 6 respectively. You can visit them any day from 10 am to 10 pm and absolutely free. If you need services such as skate rental and sharpening, you will have to shell out a certain amount of money.

On a note! For people with benefits, a 50% discount is provided.

On the territory of VDNKh in the Ostankino park complex

A very warm locker room awaits you (free) and, of course, skate rental. You can ride from 10:00 to 22:00 (on weekdays), and on weekends and holidays - until 23:00.

"Nikulino"

Address: Vernadsky Avenue, 86. You can use the locker room, food service and toilet. As usual, if you bring your own skates, admission is free; In case of their absence, rental is at your service.

In Vorontsovsky Park

There is an ice skating rink called “Ice Laboratory” (New Cheryomushki metro station, entrance from Architect Vlasov Street), which is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is a pavilion where you can taste fairly fresh pastries and “drink” exclusively hot drinks (not to be confused with strong drinks). There is a relatively warm locker room, and you can use skate rental services.

Near the Northern River Station

Get to the Rechnoy Vokzal metro station. The ice rink is relatively small - only 800 square meters, open from 10:00 - 22:00 every day. The downside of the skating rink is that you cannot use the skate rental service due to its absence. But there is also a plus - the presence of a warm locker room.

On a note! At all ice rinks, skate rental is a paid service and costs about 150-250 rubles per hour. Sharpening varies within the same limits. At some skating rinks, after the first hour of skating, the rental price is reduced to 100 rubles (for example, in Vorontsovsky Park).

Come, artificial ice is waiting for you!