US3896993A - Process for local modification of the structure of fog and clouds for triggering their precipitation and for hindering the development of hail producing clouds - Google Patents

Process for local modification of the structure of fog and clouds for triggering their precipitation and for hindering the development of hail producing clouds Download PDF

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Publication number
US3896993A
US3896993A US395758A US39575873A US3896993A US 3896993 A US3896993 A US 3896993A US 395758 A US395758 A US 395758A US 39575873 A US39575873 A US 39575873A US 3896993 A US3896993 A US 3896993A
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clouds
fog
hail
sodium alginate
precipitation
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US395758A
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Roger Rene Serpolay
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Etat Francais
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Etat Francais
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G15/00—Devices or methods for influencing weather conditions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process that allows local modification of the structure of fog and clouds, and the triggering of their precipitation.
  • the invention also concerns a process that permits the thwarting of the development of hail-producing clouds.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks, presenting a simple and efficient process that allows both the local modification of the structure of fog and clouds, triggering their precipitation, and the thwarting of the development of hail-producing clouds.
  • particulate or powdered hydrophillic substance comprising sodium alginate is dispersed in the fog or in the cloud.
  • alginate is a solid product derived from alginic acid (algin) extracted from brown algae called Laminariaceae.
  • Alginic acid is a polymer; ized organic compound whose chain is formed from mannuronic acid and guluronic acid in variable proportions.
  • Sodium alginate is a cream colored powder, soluble in cold water, forming therewith a colloidal viscous solution and is used mainly in the manufacture of ice cream in which it acts as a stabilizing agent that can prevent the development of large ice crystals (see Merck Index 18th ed., page 31).
  • sodium alginate is characterized principally by the property of being hydrophilic, hence of absorbing water in the vapor and liquid phase, when sodium alginate particles are put in suspension in a humidity saturated atmosphere, which is the case with fog and clouds, the particles are able to absorb several times their weight in water. This absorption is explained by the great affinity of sodium alginate for water, which is promoted by the tubular configuration of the macromolecules that constitute it. Similarly, when a liquid water droplet comes into contact with the surface of a sodium alginate particle. it is immediately taken over by the particle. Because of these two processes, the sodium alginate particles increase in size to-become elements loaded with water that can precipitate.
  • the sodium alginate has a particle size below microns, on an average 30 microns.
  • the sodium alginate particles dispersed in the clouds or in the fog have dimensions close to the droplets constituting the clouds or fog, which allows the particles to remain in suspension in the clouds and fogs for a sufficient period of time so that the absorption in the vapor phase will be as efficient as possible, and so that the probability of contact of the particles with the droplets will be maximal.
  • the sodium alginate, in aqueous solution at 1.2 percent by weight, at 18C, having a viscosityabove 600 centipoises is found especially applicable for hindering development of hail-producing clouds. It is known that high turbulence prevails in hail-producing clouds in the course of their development, and that the water droplets that the clouds contain are the seat of a permanent multiplication by chain reaction. The chain reaction process has been described by l. Langmuir in Final report: project cirrus Contract no. W36-039- SC-32427 pages 49-70.
  • the dispersion of sodium alginate particles according to the invention with the above mentioned viscosity in the heart of the hailproducing clouds has the effect of inhibiting and braking the process of droplet multiplication.
  • the sodium alginate particles by contact with the droplets of the cloud, form drops of viscous solution of dimensions that are clearly larger, being subject to precipitation without division, toward a lower altitude where the risk of congelation, i.e. hail formation, is considerably less. Because they contain sodium alginate, these viscous drops, moreover, have the advantage of solidifying at temperatures below those at which pure water droplets of the same size would congeal; hence the risk of hail formation is further limited.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows the process of the invention for modification and local precipitation of fog
  • FIG. 2 shows, as a curve, results of tests made in the framework of the application as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • EXAMPLE I Application to Modification and Triggering of Local Precipitation It is proposed to dissipate locally a blanket of fog 60 to 80 meters thick above an area designated by numeral l in FIG. 1. For this, along a line perpendicular to the direction of the wind component, upstream of area 1 with reference to the direction of the said component (indicated by arrow F) a series of apparatus 2 is disposed, said apparatus being capable of dispersing sodium alginate particles in the atmosphere.
  • Apparatus 2 are of a known type comprising a tank for the product that is to be dispersed in the atmosphere and a blower device connected to the tank, communicating with a vertical pipe.
  • These apparatus send the powdery product to a height ranging from 4 to 6 meters above the ground.
  • the product is entrained toward area 1 by the wind.
  • apparatus 2 were disposed at a distance equal to about 400 m from area 1 and the wind velocity was of the order of 2 m/sec.
  • Apparatus 2 were moreover separated from each other by about 60 to 80 meters distributed along a front corresponding substantially to that of area 1.
  • sodium alginate was used, with a particle size less than 70 microns, averaging 30 microns, and having in a 1.2 percent by weight aqueous solution at 18C a viscosity between 400 and 600 centipoises. This value was determined with a Brook Field R.V.S. viscosimeter.
  • the sodium alginate corresponds to a product called Nouralgine F 300 HV 60 (trade mark) sold by Societe Carbonisation et Charbons settling (C.E.C.A.).
  • Visibility was recorded in area 1 by means of an IM- PULS (trade mark) videograph before, during and after dispersion of the sodium alginate particles.
  • a sodium alginate can be dispersed in the cloud, in 1.2 percent by weight aqueous solution at 18C, with a viscosity of 100 to 400 centipoises, the particle size here being as in the previous example less than microns, averaging 30 microns.
  • sodium alginate particles smaller than 70 microns averaging 30 microns, having a viscosity of 600 to 1200 poises in 1.2 percent by weight aqueous solution.
  • the sodium alginate particles can be dispersed in hail-producing clouds in the course of development using an airplane equipped with a spray device, the quantity of the dispersed product being of the order of a ton.
  • rocket or similar projectile could be used, capable of dispersing the product on part of its trajectory, corresponding to its passage through the cloud.
  • sodium alginate to modify the structure of fog and clouds, to trigger precipitation and to hinder formation of hail-producing clouds has the following additional advantages: storing sodium alginate involves no problem, on condition that the product be protected from excessive humidity, which is a distant advantage over sodium chloride or other hygroscopic mineral salts that, to remain finely divided, must be mixed with anticlumping materials;
  • sodium alginate has the additional advantage of being much less corrosive, and of not being toxic to plants or animals.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that in precipitation of fogs in urban or industrialized areas, there is also precipitation to the ground of liquid and solid pollutants suspended in the fog.
  • the invention thereby is a means for combatting pollution.
  • a method for locally triggering the precipitation of fog and clouds which comprises dispersing in the fog or clouds, particles of sodium alginate having a viscosity of to 400 centipoises in 1.2 percent by weight aqueous solution at 18C.
  • a method for hindering development of hailproducing clouds which comprises dispersing in said clouds particles of sodium alginate having a viscosity of 600 to 1200 centipoises in 1.2 percent by weight solution at 18C.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Applied To Surfaces To Minimize Adherence Of Mist Or Water (AREA)
  • Protection Of Plants (AREA)
  • Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
  • Colloid Chemistry (AREA)
US395758A 1972-09-15 1973-09-10 Process for local modification of the structure of fog and clouds for triggering their precipitation and for hindering the development of hail producing clouds Expired - Lifetime US3896993A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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FR7232687A FR2199565B1 (ja) 1972-09-15 1972-09-15

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US3896993A true US3896993A (en) 1975-07-29

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US (1) US3896993A (ja)
DE (1) DE2344789A1 (ja)
FR (1) FR2199565B1 (ja)
GB (1) GB1403677A (ja)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5441200A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-08-15 Rovella, Ii; Ernest J. Tropical cyclone disruption
US6315213B1 (en) * 2000-06-21 2001-11-13 Peter Cordani Method of modifying weather
US20040134997A1 (en) * 2001-12-25 2004-07-15 Alexander Khain Method and apparatus for controlling atmospheric conditions

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3247607A1 (de) * 1982-12-23 1984-07-05 Zbigniew Dr. 6078 Neu-Isenburg Boguslawski Verfahren zur beseitigung von nebel aus der atmosphaere
DE3344809A1 (de) * 1983-12-12 1985-06-13 Zbigniew Dr. 6078 Neu-Isenburg Boguslawski Verfahren und vorrichtung zur beseitigung von nebel aus der atmosphaere
GB2186781A (en) * 1986-02-25 1987-08-26 Ying Cheung Chee Influencing meteorological phenomena
GB2436197A (en) * 2006-03-14 2007-09-19 Gen Applic For Special Materia Neutralisation of strong winds
GB0921879D0 (en) * 2009-12-15 2010-01-27 Davidson Technology Ltd Atmospheric delivery system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2052626A (en) * 1933-06-05 1936-09-01 Massachusetts Inst Technology Method of dispelling fog
US3056556A (en) * 1955-05-12 1962-10-02 Mach Tool Works Oerlikon Admin Method of artificially influencing the weather
US3647710A (en) * 1970-02-10 1972-03-07 Fmc Corp Method for dispersing fog with phosphate salt compositions
US3653383A (en) * 1969-07-30 1972-04-04 Freeze Dry Products Algin sponge and process therefor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2052626A (en) * 1933-06-05 1936-09-01 Massachusetts Inst Technology Method of dispelling fog
US3056556A (en) * 1955-05-12 1962-10-02 Mach Tool Works Oerlikon Admin Method of artificially influencing the weather
US3653383A (en) * 1969-07-30 1972-04-04 Freeze Dry Products Algin sponge and process therefor
US3647710A (en) * 1970-02-10 1972-03-07 Fmc Corp Method for dispersing fog with phosphate salt compositions

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5441200A (en) * 1993-08-20 1995-08-15 Rovella, Ii; Ernest J. Tropical cyclone disruption
US6315213B1 (en) * 2000-06-21 2001-11-13 Peter Cordani Method of modifying weather
US20040134997A1 (en) * 2001-12-25 2004-07-15 Alexander Khain Method and apparatus for controlling atmospheric conditions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2344789A1 (de) 1974-03-21
FR2199565B1 (ja) 1975-03-14
GB1403677A (en) 1975-08-28
FR2199565A1 (ja) 1974-04-12

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