About     hISTORY

In 1995, SMI sold one of our snowmaking products called the SnowStream 320 to a gold mine in Nevada. This SnowStream used a high speed propellor to fracture water into small particles and enhance evaporation. Although the SS320 was designed for use below 30°F and for up to 2000 hours per year, the Nevada mine was extremely pleased with the results after running over 5000 hours in conditions ranging from 0°F up to 110°F. A typical spray nozzle was about 10% effective in most conditions, whereas the SS320 was achieving evaporation rates closer to 25 to 60%. The evaporation process is similar to the snowmaking process, but exactly the opposite. Snowmaking effectiveness increases as temperature and humidity decrease. Evaporation effectiveness increases as the temperature increases and the relative humidity decreases.

SMI recognized the market potential and possible opportunities for a specially designed product only for the mining market. We spent five months redesigning the SnowStream 320 to address specific mining and other industrial processing problems. The system was designed for use only in "mining/industrial processing industries," but believe it when we tell you mines are tougher on our equipment than ski areas by a big factor. We renamed the product the 320 Evaporator.

We have recently introduced the new SMI 420® Evaporator, which replaces the popular and durable SMI® 320. The advantages of the SMI® 420 over the 320 are:

• Elimination of weekly lubrication
• Addition of vibration sensor to shut down motor before severe damage occurs during operation