A method for reducing the drag on an aqueous solution in a pipe or hose
system such as a snow making system includes the introduction of drag
reducing polymers into the aqueous solution prior to circulating the
solution in a pipe or hose. In a preferred embodiment, the drag reducing
polymers are a mixture of polyethylene oxide in a carrier solution. The
introduction of the polyethylene oxide in a carrier solution reduces the
overall frictional drag and therefore increases the snow making efficiency
by reducing the power needed to pump the water. As a result, it is easier
for greater quantities of snow to be made using existing equipment due to
the increased flow rate as a result of the lower drag friction. In a
preferred embodiment, the polyethylene oxide is approximately 20-30% by
weight and is introduced into the water pipe so resulting concentrations
are approximately 30-100 weight parts per million (WPPM).