Plant and method for melting and cleaning of snow and ice

Abstract

Plant for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, distinguished in that the plant comprises a means for melting using enthalpy of a water source in order to melt snow and ice, and a means for cleaning for cleaning out the pollution from the water phase that contains the melted snow and ice. Method for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, using the plant according to the invention.

1 . A plant for melting and cleaning of snow and ice, the plant comprising:
 means for melting using enthalpy of a water source in order to melt snow and ice; and   means for cleaning out pollution from a water phase that contains the melted snow and ice.   
     
     
         2 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for melting is without heaters for melting by burning fuel or consuming electricity as the water source is in substance or merely a natural low temperature source of water that is not heated. 
     
     
         3 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant comprises a means for crushing of ice. 
     
     
         4 . The plant according to  claim 3 , wherein upstream of the means for crushing of ice, a means for sorting out larger objects from polluted snow and ice is arranged. 
     
     
         5 . The plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the plant comprises a means for supplying hot water to polluted snow and ice, upstream of or into the means for melting. 
     
     
         6 . A method for melting and cleaning of snow and ice using the plant according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:
 supplying polluted snow and ice to the plant;   melting the polluted snow and ice using the enthalpy of the water source; and   cleaning the water phase including the melted snow and ice.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the melting takes place without burning fuel or using electricity for melting, or drilling wells for geothermal heat.