Investigation of optimal design for supercooled cloud dispersal equipment and techniques /
William W. Vickers, James F. Church.

Description

Main Author

Vickers, William W.

Related Names

Church, James F.
Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (U.S.)

Language(s)

English

Published

L.G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts : Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Office of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force, 1966.

Subjects

Rain-making.
Meteorology.
Clouds.
Carbon dioxide.
Meteorology.
Carbon dioxide.
Clouds.
Rain-making.

Summary

To determine optimal cloud-seeding techniques and optimal design specifications for a dry-ice seeding machine (the Cloudbuster), multiple strip seeding of stratiform decks was performed during which seeding rate, pellet size, and strip orientation with respect to wind were systematically changed from strip to strip. Concurrently, the physical properties of the cloud decks were measured and cloud response (i. e., hole size, growth rate, etc.) to the varying treatments was measured photogrammetrically. Results showed that both the dry ice seeding rate and pellet size, as well as the cloud temperature, exerted a strong influence on cloud response. Seeding rate had an optimum of 8-9 lb/naut. mile of CO2 pellets whereafter additional quantities no longer influenced the experiment predictably. Generally, clouds failed to respond to treatment at 1.8 lb/naut. mile. A minimum recommended quantity of CO2 pellets is 4 lb/naut. mile using a 1 x 1 x 1 cm pellet of 0.5 g/cc density. This CO2 pellet has a fall distance of 1200 ft. When combined with other machine functions, this seeding rate and pellet size allow an output of 10,500 pellets/naut. mile. Cloud response approximately doubles between -5 C and -11 C.A response failure point exists between -3 C and -4 C. Strips should be seeded about 40 min worth of drift upwind of the desired location, and should be seeded across the wind. Seeding altitude for the aircraft should be coincident with the top of the deck for all but thickest decks (> 1200 ft). (Author).

Note

Reprinted from the Journal of applied meteorology, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 105-118, Feb. 1966.
Research supported by the Meteorology Laboratory, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. Office of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force, L.G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts.
Meteorology Laboratory Project 6697.
"May 1966."

Physical Description

[1], 14 pages : illustrations, tables ; 28 cm.

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