Abstract

SICK OF SITTING IN A COLD ARENA?

By: Jessica Anderson

            Is it possible to redirect wasted heat energy from under an arenas ice surface to the seats to provide heated bench seating? The expected results are that the research will not only indicate that this is possible, it’s plausible and could potentially save clients a significant amount of money as well as increase spectator satisfaction. Minor changes to a typical design will generate major future outcomes. Construction details are the same, although the design is slightly different.

            The heated polyethylene pipes are spaced at 48” O.C throughout the sand and gravel base layer, the heats main purpose is to eliminate any possible frost build up under the surface. This sand and gravel base layer temperature should be kept just under 3.5°C (38°F) (Russell-Ausley). The insulation is meant to accommodate these temperature changes to ensure the proper temperature of the ice, these cooling pipes are spaced at 24” O.C.  These rink pipes cool the rinks surface to maintain quality ice. The generated heat that would normally be wasted is captured and redirected to pass through a thermal storage buffer before branching off into the seats. Polyethylene piping is also used under these bench seats.

Since the rink has these cooling pipes beneath its surface to generate the proper temperature, the temperature of the rest of the arena does not affect the ice itself. The added heat arising from the seats would affect the room temperature so very slightly that the ice is unaffected from these changes. An arenas room temperature is commonly kept around room temperature, 60-70 degrees, depending on a few things such as outside temperature or the amount of people in the building.  

The conventional design of a typical rink is very similar to that of the implemented design intended to fulfill the intent of the proposal. There is still a heat transfer fluid consisted of glycol, methanol, and calcium chloride (Caliskan & Hepbasli, 2010, p.1418).

 In conclusion, the overall design is practical and the beneficial aspect carries a lot of potential. These results are expected but again not yet substantiated. This innovated design will be taken to further measures to work towards ensuring competent results.

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