Compact heat pump using water as refrigerant

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, comprising an evaporator located at a first end section of the heat pump casing, adapted to allow evaporation of water therefrom, One or more compressors located at a second end section of the heat pump casing adapted to induce said evaporation by maintaining vacuum, provided with an intake conduit extending from the evaporator to the compressor leading vapor thereto. A condenser is located in the intermediate section of the casing wherein the intake conduit passes therethrough, adapted for condensing the vapor. The heat pump also comprises vacuum means allowing creating and maintaining vacuum in the casing. There is also provided a snow dome allowing skiing and snow related activities in above zero conditions using the heat pump for creation of snow or ice slurry.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A snow deposition system comprising:
 at least one slurry production facility arranged to produce snow slurry from water;   a delivery system arranged to drop snow slurry obtained from the at least one slurry production facility onto a slope having screens arranged to receive and accumulate the dropped snow slurry; and   a drainage system arranged to collect and drain from the slope water from the dropped snow slurry, to leave behind drained snow, and further arranged to direct the drained water to the slurry production facility to yield additional snow slurry.   
     
     
         13 . The snow deposition system of  claim 12 , wherein the drainage system comprises a plurality of barriers associated with a plurality of channels, the barriers arranged to divert water from the slope to the channels. 
     
     
         14 . The snow deposition system of  claim 13 , wherein the drainage system comprises at least one storage tank in fluid communication with the channels and with the at least one slurry production facility, the at least one storage tank arranged to receive drained water from the channels and deliver the received water to the at least one slurry production facility. 
     
     
         15 . The snow deposition system of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one disperser arranged to disperse the left behind snow on the slope. 
     
     
         16 . The snow deposition system of  claim 12 , wherein the delivery system comprises a plurality of dispersion valves arranged to disperse the slurry onto the slope 
     
     
         17 . A snow dome comprising the snow deposition system of  claim 12 , arranged to operate the snow deposition system within a closed space. 
     
     
         18 . The snow dome of  claim 17 , arranged to maintain a temperature of the closed space above 0° C. 
     
     
         19 . The snow dome of  claim 17 , wherein the slope has a plurality of adjustable slope angles. 
     
     
         20 . The snow dome of  claim 17 , further comprising an air conditioning system arranged to de-humidify the closed space. 
     
     
         21 . The snow deposition system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one slurry production facility comprises a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, comprising:
 a casing having a first end section and a second end section and an intermediate section located therebetween;   an evaporator located at the first end section, configured for containing said water and allowing evaporation of at least a part of the water therefrom to produce vapor, thereby removing heat from the remainder of the water;   at least one agitator scoop located within said evaporator, said scoop being used for both agitating and for spraying the water within the evaporator for increasing evaporation surface area;   one or more demisters installed between the evaporator and the compressor, provided with a heating mechanism;   one or more compressors located at the second end section and provided with an intake conduit extending from the evaporator to the compressor, configured to induce the evaporation by maintaining vacuum at least at the intake conduit, the compressor being further configured for receiving the vapor through the intake conduit after passing through the heated demister and compressing it;   a condenser located in said intermediate section such that said intake conduit passes therethrough, said condenser being configured for receiving the compressed vapor from the compressor, lowering its temperature and condensing it back into a liquid state, and   a vacuum machine arranged to create and maintain vacuum in the casing.   
     
     
         22 . A method of delivering snow to a slope, comprising:
 dropping snow slurry obtained from a slurry production facility onto the slope;   preventing the dropped snow slurry from sliding down the slope by placing screens arranged to receive and accumulate the dropped snow slurry;   draining water from snow slurry accumulating on the slope to leave behind drained snow on the slope;   delivering the drained water back to the slurry production facility to yield additional snow slurry; and   dispersing the left behind snow accumulated by the screens on the slope.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the draining water comprises diverting water from the slope and channeling the diverted water for the delivery back to the slurry production facility 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the dropping snow slurry is carried out periodically. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , carried out in a closed space. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising de-humidifying the closed space. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising maintaining a temperature of the closed space above 0° C.