Sintering of Manufactured Snow Using Liquid Dye in a Simulated Environment

Snow sintering involves the formation of bonds between snow particles and is critically important in the construction of snow pavements in polar regions. In areas where the temperature never exceeds −20°C, such as the South Pole, snow sintering occurs so slowly that the construction of a seasonal snow runway is impractical. To accelerate the rate of sintering at the South Pole, discoloration of the snow surface with a liquid dye has been considered, but has not been demonstrated in practice. This is because of the high financial cost of proving new technologies in logistically challenging polar environments. In order to demonstrate the potential of liquid dye as a sintering accelerant for snow pavement construction, this study was aimed at measuring the sintering of manufactured snow samples stored in a mobile cold room. The manufactured snow was treated with 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% (by mass) liquid dye and then allowed to sinter in a simulated South Pole environment. The sample temperature, density, and compressive strength were measured before dye application, as well as after 1, 5, 11, 15, and 20 days of sintering following application of the dye. The manufactured snow samples exhibited particle size distribution, density, and rate of strength gains that were consistent with those of processed polar snow. This finding allows conceptual snow research to be confidently and conveniently performed in nonpolar environments prior to being verified at the South Pole. The results also showed that 2% to 3% (by mass) of inert liquid black dye significantly increased the temperature, density, and compression strength of the manufactured snow samples. Consequently, it was concluded that liquid dye solutions have the potential to allow the construction of a seasonal snow runway at the South Pole, if this is deemed to be environmentally acceptable. In the future, these findings must be verified using real snow in a polarlike environment.