Air circulation equipment
Air mixing equipment for frost control includes fixed anti-freeze towers, covering large areas by mixing cold and warm air layers, and mobile or pole-mounted fans for targeted, modular protection. This equipment is effective at stabilising temperature without adding heat, is adapted to the needs of plots of different sizes, and is economical in the long term.
Antifreeze towers
Operating principle : Antifreeze towers (or antifreeze wind turbines) are vertical structures equipped with large fans. Their blades stir the air, creating a mixture between layers of cold air close to the ground and layers of warmer air higher up.Benefits: These towers are capable of protecting large areas (up to 4 to 6 hectares per tower), effectively reducing the risk of frost over a wide area. They are also durable and require little maintenance once installed.
Technical specifications:
- Height: Varies between 10 and 12 metres to optimise air circulation.
- Radius of protection: Approximately 4 to 6 hectares, depending on the power and layout of the tower.
- Power source: Mainly internal combustion engines (petrol or diesel), but some more modern models run on electricity.
- Noise level: Although some installations are noisy, more recent models offer noise reduction, making operation less disruptive.
This system requires a concrete slab of less than 5m2 to be poured, but prior authorisation must be sought from the local council.
The area covered varies according to the severity of the frost, but can be as much as 5 ha. However, during advective frost, this equipment will be unusable because of the inaccessibility of the inversion layer and the wind speed.
Fixed anti-frost tower
Mobile anti-freeze tower
How it works: Unlike fixed anti-freeze towers, mobile wind turbines are smaller, portable units. They are often mounted on wheels or trailers and can be moved around the vineyard to treat specific areas.
Advantages : These fans are extremely flexible, providing targeted protection to meet specific needs. They are ideal for vineyards where frosts are localised or for operations requiring modular solutions.
Technical characteristics:
Advantages : These fans are extremely flexible, providing targeted protection to meet specific needs. They are ideal for vineyards where frosts are localised or for operations requiring modular solutions.
Technical characteristics:
- Range: They are generally less effective than fixed towers, with coverage of 1 to 2 hectares.
- Power source: They are mainly petrol or gas-powered, making them easy to use on the move.
- Transportability: Equipped with wheels or mounted on trailers, they can be moved easily between plots.
Mobile frost protection tower
This system works in a similar way to the fixed tower, except that the area covered is smaller (max. 3 ha) because the mast is lower. The advantage remains the mobility of the equipment, which can be modified according to weather conditions.