APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MELTING SNOW AND WASHING SOLIDS

摘要

An apparatus is disclosed for melting snow, or snow which may be mixed with solids and contaminants which can operate in a frigid outdoor environment in temperatures typical of arctic conditions. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a hopper (22) which includes double walls. A heated fluid is circulated through passages (45) between the double walls of the hopper, and heat is transferred into the snow through the hopper walls. The apparatus includes a pair of counter rotating augers (62) located in the bottom of the hopper for agitating and circulating the solids. As the solids are agitated and circulated, the solids are substantially cleansed of contaminants by the liquid in the hopper, which may contain a detergent.