DE102021114220A1 - METHOD OF TECHNICALLY SLOWING DOWN GLACIER MELTING - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for slowing down glacier melting is proposed which at least partially ameliorates the disadvantages of the prior art. According to the invention, this is achieved in that water is applied, in particular sprayed, onto glacial snow (7) lying on a glacier (6) in order to freeze and compact the glacial snow (7).

Description

The invention relates to a method for slowing down glacier melting according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art:

To slow glacier melting, meltwater from snow melting on the glacier is captured and sprayed back onto the glacier, where it then freezes onto the glacial ice to form a new layer of ice on the glacier.

The new layer of ice must first be melted before the original substance of the glacier is removed. The melting of the glaciers can be delayed a bit in this way.

Object and advantages of the invention:

In contrast, the object of the invention is to propose a method for slowing down the melting of glaciers, which at least partially improves the disadvantages of the prior art.

Starting from a method of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1 . Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are possible as a result of the measures mentioned in the subclaims.

Accordingly, a method according to the invention is characterized in that water is applied, in particular sprayed, onto glacial snow lying on a glacier in order to freeze and compact the glacial snow.

Glacier snow refers to fresh snow lying on a glacier.

In contrast to the conventional method, the melt water is not taken from the snow on the glacier to create a layer of ice, but melt water from snow that has fallen elsewhere. This has the advantage that the snow lying on the glacier can be included in addition to the meltwater used to create a layer of ice.

Because it takes more energy to melt ice than it does to melt snow, ice melts more slowly than snow.

The structure of the snow on the glacier is compressed and frozen by the applied melt water. The layer of ice produced is therefore much thicker than it could be produced using only meltwater from the glacial snow.

The snow naturally has a temperature below 0°C and cools the meltwater directly on contact, so that it freezes earlier.

Such a process can significantly delay and slow down glacier melting.

Fresh snow is preferably collected in at least one container and/or melted to melt water for spreading. The new snow, from which meltwater is to be extracted for applying and creating a layer of ice on the glacier, can either already be collected in a container or be removed and transferred to a container. The snow is melted by means of energy supplied, such as heat, and then applied to the glacier snow.

Conceivably, the energy required to melt the new snow and/or to spread the melt water is obtained by means of at least one solar cell. Solar cells can generate electricity without further CO2 emissions, so that the energy production can be operated without further contributing to global warming. Another benefit of solar cells is that they come in different sizes, which means they can be customized to suit local needs. Other or additional sustainable energy systems such as wind power are also conceivable for generating the required energy.

The at least one solar cell with at least one energy store, in particular a battery, is preferably used. In this way, the energy can be generated and stored during the day to be used at night, for example, when the temperature is usually lower, to spread the meltwater on the glacial snow and freeze it.

The meltwater is preferably conveyed from at least one of the containers via a line for spreading on the glacier snow. A pipe can direct the meltwater to the glacier and, with appropriate insulation, ensure that the water does not freeze on the way there.

It is conceivable that a pump is used to pump the melt water for spreading on the glacial snow. A pump can ensure that enough pressure is generated to overcome the meltwater over the route or a possible incline for application to the glacier snow.

Preferably, the pump used to pump the melt water for spreading on the glacial snow is powered by solar energy. Solar cells can be operated without further CO2 emissions, so that energy production can be operated without further contributing to global warming.

Conceivably, the at least one container, which contains meltwater for spreading on the glacial snow, is higher relative to the glacial snow. In this way, the melt water can be transported by gravity and without additional energy expenditure for application on the glacier snow.

It makes sense to use a container for collecting and/or melting the new snow, which is higher than the glacier ice, and at least one line with a gradient to convey the melt water for spreading on the glacier snow. Fresh snow can be caught and/or melted in the container. The resulting meltwater can thus be transported by gravity via the pipeline, which is at least largely laid with a gradient, to the glacier snow without having to apply additional energy.

character list

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

• 1 schematisch einen ersten Schritt eines Verfahrens zur Verlangsamung des Gletscherschmelzens gemäß der Erfindung,
• 2 schematisch einen zweiten Schritt eines Verfahrens zur Verlangsamung des Gletscherschmelzens gemäß der Erfindung
• 3 schematisch einen dritten Schritt eines Verfahrens zur Verlangsamung des Gletscherschmelzens gemäß der Erfindung und
• 4 schematisch einen vierten Schritt eines Verfahrens zur Verlangsamung des Gletscherschmelzens gemäß der Erfindung.

In detail shows:

• 1 schematically a first step of a method for slowing down glacier melting according to the invention,
• 2 12 schematically shows a second step of a method for slowing down glacier melting according to the invention
• 3 schematically a third step of a method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to the invention and
• 4 12 schematically shows a fourth step of a method for slowing down glacier melting according to the invention.

In 1 Figure 1 schematically shows the first step of a method for slowing down glacier melting according to the invention. In this case, fresh snow 4 is collected in a container 1 or conveyed into a container 1 . The tank 1 is connected to one end of a pipe 2 equipped with a pump 3 . Near the other end of the line 2 is a glacier 6 with a layer of snow on it, referred to herein as glacier snow 7 .

2 Figure 12 shows schematically the second step of the method for slowing down glacier melting according to the invention. Energy generated by a solar cell 9 melts the new snow 4 in the container 1 and converts it to melt water 5 .

In the third step, the meltwater 5, as in 3 shown deployed and distributed through line 2 over glacier 6 and glacier snow 7 . The meltwater 5 is conveyed through the line 2 by means of a pump 3 . The energy required for the pump 3 can also be generated by the solar cell 9 .

In a fourth step of the method, the glacial snow 7 is compacted by the addition of the melt water 5 and freezes to form an ice layer 8. This additional ice layer 8 must then first melt before the substance of the glacier 6 is melted further. The resulting ice layer 8 thus prevents direct thawing of the glacier 6 and protects the glacier 6 from melting as long as it is present.

Reference List

1

container

2

Management

3

pump

4

fresh snow

5

melt water

6

glacier

7

glacier snow

8th

layer of ice

9

solar cell

Claims (9)

Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers, characterized in that meltwater (5) is applied to glacial snow (7) lying on a glacier (6). is, in particular, sprayed on to freeze and compact the glacial snow (7). Methods for slowing down glacier melting, according to claim 1 , characterized in that fresh snow (4) is collected in at least one container (1) and/or melted into the meltwater (5) for spreading. Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy required to melt the new snow (4) and/or to discharge the melt water (5) is obtained by means of at least one solar cell (9). Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one solar cell (9) is used with at least one energy store, in particular a rechargeable battery. Method for slowing down glacier melting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the melt water (5) is conveyed from at least one of the containers (1) via a line (2) for spreading on the glacier snow (7). Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pump (3) is used to convey the melt water (5) for spreading on the glacier snow (7). Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (3) used to convey the melt water (5) for spreading on the glacier snow (7) is operated with solar energy. Method for slowing down glacier melting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one container (1) containing melt water (5) for spreading on the glacial snow (7) is higher relative to the glacial snow (7). Method for slowing down the melting of glaciers according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that to convey the melt water (5) for spreading on the glacial snow (7), a container (1) which is higher than the glacial ice (8) for collecting and/or melting the new snow (4) and at least one line (2) with a gradient is used.

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