Heat equation advice for a small ice rink.

[Stevensam2009]

Hi everyone,

I am a Cybernetics student and as part of a project I need to determine the feasability of building a small ice rink (approximately 2m x 4m)

The plan is to build a frame and exterior (the sides and bottom of a box) out of wood, and have a layer of internal insulation such as polystyrene. A plastic sheet will be the top of the box and the idea is that the water will freeze on top of this. I may also have an insulated lid for the system that is closed when freezing the water.

My lecturer has suggested putting dry ice in the bottom of the box and spraying on water gradually to create the ice, and running copper pipes through the system with cooled brine being pumped through them in order to keep the ice frozen.

I'm not really too sure how to go about determining whether this system will work or not. I would be very grateful if anyone could help me out by suggested what equations are suitable for calculating how much dry ice would be needed to freeze a particular amount of water when the system has insulation with a known thickness, and also some advice on how best to apply such equations. Also, any possible design modifications/alternatives would be welcome.

Thanks in advance,
-Steve-

 

[Andrew Mason]

Forget the fancy stuff. You don't need any pipes or styrofoam. Just build it in Saskatoon. It was -34 C here this morning.

AM

 

[Stevensam2009]

I could suggest this to my lecturer, but somehow I don't think that he would let the budget stretch that far.