Ice Rinks

An ice-skating facility presents a frozen terrain of water or chemically treated surfaces, serving as a hub for various winter recreational activities. These include ice skating, ice hockey, speed skating, figure skating exhibitions, curling, ice shows, and contests.

Within this domain, there are two primary categories of ice rinks: 

• “Natural” rinks, relying on cold ambient temperatures for freezing. 
• “Mechanically frozen” rinks, where a cooling mechanism is employed to create sub-freezing conditions beneath the surface water, facilitating the formation of an ice layer. 

HC, a recognised player in this industry, understands the pivotal role of refrigeration processes in shaping and preserving top-tier ice surfaces for mechanically frozen rinks. HC stands as a provider of cutting-edge, environmentally sustainable refrigeration solutions, including advanced CO2 systems. These solutions can be broadly classified into two distinct categories: direct and indirect systems. 

In the context of the “indirect” refrigeration systems, a liquid refrigerant absorbs heat from a secondary liquid, extracting heat from the rink’s surface. A brine solution is then utilised, being pumped, and circulated through pipes evenly integrated into the rink’s flooring. 

Conversely, in the “direct” system, the floor’s thermal energy is eliminated by directing the primary refrigerant fluid through the pipes embedded directly in the bed, eliminating the need for an additional coolant. In direct and indirect configurations, the refrigerant within the lines is meticulously maintained at -15°C. This meticulous temperature control ensures that water atop the rink’s surface rapidly solidifies, creating an ideal, smooth skating surface. 

Another crucial aspect in constructing ice rinks is the level of insulation. Recognising that ice’s dimensions can fluctuate in response to external factors, it’s vital to consider insulation carefully. Currently, a prevalent choice among ice rink operators is the utilisation of chillers as their primary refrigeration systems. These systems often employ ammonia as the chief refrigerant, supplemented by brine or glycol as a secondary refrigerant. 

Nevertheless, over the past decade, carbon dioxide (CO2) has become a sustainable alternative for refrigeration in ice rink operations. This advancement offers an eco-friendly and efficient choice for maintaining ice rinks.