Anti-hail system

A revolutionary solution for protecting agricultural crops and property against hail

Operating Principle

The system combines two elements - acetylene gas (a safe, harmless gas) and oxygen from the air - creating a 100% controlled explosion in the combustion chamber. This explosion generates a shockwave, which is released into the atmosphere every 7 seconds. The shockwaves increase the friction acting on hailstones as they fall, reducing and breaking down their crystalline structure before they reach the ground. As a result, hail falls over the fields as water or wet snow rather than damaging ice.

Protection Area and Efficiency

• Guaranteed protection area: at least 80 ha
• Shockwave range: up to 500 m
• Effectiveness: at least 95%, up to 100% against common hail
• Service life: at least 45 years
• Return on investment: the system typically pays for itself after the first destructive hailstorm

System Models

• Stationary model - installed on a permanent concrete foundation, in a fixed location
• Mobile (portable) model - a foundation is not mandatory (recommended to ensure verticality), equipped with a folding wave generator and a single container, allowing the system to be relocated

Main Components and Technical Parameters

Main components:

• Conical element (wave generator) - hot-dip galvanised steel construction with a specific conical shape that allows the shockwaves to expand
• Combustion chamber - where the explosion of acetylene gas and oxygen is controlled at a given power and frequency
• Acetylene gas rack - an essential component for wave generation, non-polluting and harmless
• Photovoltaic energy system - supplies clean energy for the system's operation
• Containers (housings) - a functional structure with the various elements needed for correct system operation, made of 1.5-3 mm steel sheet with a 40×40 mm iron frame
• Management and control system - hardware that controls the entire operating cycle of the equipment, ensuring all variables and safety

Sensors, Automation and Communication

• Sensors: temperature sensor, pressure sensor
• Ignition system: excitation voltage up to 24V, maximum load voltage 32V, maximum current 6A
• Solar power system: MPPT solar charge controller (10A, 24V), solar panel (33V, 10A), 24V battery
• Communication: 4G router, industrial IoT protocol transmitting data every 15 minutes, push notifications and SMS via GPRS, start-up via mobile app
• Data logging: 2GB SD card - logs every 15 minutes at rest, every 1 minute during operation, plus all events, alarms, system status and cylinder pressure

Control and Automation

• Manual control - simple, quick and effective start-up from the control panel
• Remote control - start-up via a mobile device, with the ability to monitor the system's status at any time
• Automatic control - a Doppler radar system (technology from the US company Earth Networks Co.) monitors, analyses and detects hail clouds in the atmosphere in real time, automatically starting the system without human involvement; once the risk has passed, the system switches off automatically

Additional Equipment - Soundproofing

An additional accessory is available to reduce noise levels - a soundproofing enclosure consisting of 4 interlocked rings (overall diameter 2,300 mm, height 8,000 mm). The enclosure reduces noise levels by up to 30 dB, using an acoustic membrane, an acoustic panel, rock wool thermal insulation (80 mm) and a fireproof blanket (fire reaction class A2-s1, d0).

Environmentally Friendly Solution

The system is 100% environmentally friendly: it does not affect the cloud's hydrological cycle or the amount of precipitation, does not release harmful or polluting substances, operates on renewable energy, and poses no risk to flora, fauna or birds.

Compliance and Certification

The system complies with the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) and other relevant European directives, and carries the CE marking, confirming compliance with European Union safety, health and environmental protection requirements.

Delivery and Installation

The stationary model requires a concrete foundation - a 200 mm thick concrete slab (concrete mix of 350 kg cement/m³), with 30 mm polystyrene thermal insulation and reinforcement (B400 8Ø12/15.7 cm, may vary depending on topographic conditions). Free access must be allowed for: at least 3,000 mm for servicing the gas cylinder rack, 1,500 mm for servicing the control panel, and 1,000 mm for access to the combustion chamber. All necessary materials are supplied by SIA "TERMOLAT". Installation and initial start-up are carried out by certified SPAG Group technicians.

SIA "TERMOLAT" is the official representative of SPAG Group in the Baltic region, providing supply, installation and technical support for anti-hail and anti-frost systems.

To find out more about details, available equipment options, costs, and the solution best suited to your farm, please contact us: info@termolat.lv