RU2821371C1 - Method for artificial regulation of precipitation on monitored mountain or adjacent to mountain territory - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to equipment for controlling intensity of precipitation in mountainous areas, and can be used for protection of controlled territories from drought on leeward side of orographic obstacle and from excessive precipitation on its windward side. Method consists in generation of electric charges of one sign into the atmosphere by means of unmanned aerial vehicle. Flights of the unmanned aerial vehicle generating electric charges is carried out at least 20 minutes before the predicted time of the beginning of precipitation, in the area of ascending air flow from the windward side of the orographic obstacle of the proposed area of precipitation control.

EFFECT: creation of an effective technology of artificial regulation of precipitation on a monitored mountain or adjacent to the mountain territory by modification of ascending air flows forming orographic clouds.

2 cl

Description

The invention relates to the field of technology intended for regulating the intensity of precipitation in mountainous areas, and can be used to protect controlled areas from drought on the leeward side of an orographic obstacle and from excess precipitation on its windward side.

There are known methods for regulating the intensity of precipitation, based on the artificial condensation of water vapor through the use of special substances (reagents). See, for example, patent RU No. 2357404, published on June 10, 2009; RU patent No. 2175185, published on October 27, 2001; patent RU No. 2061358, published on June 10, 1996; US patent No. 2160900, published 06/06/1939; US patent No. 2934275, published 04/26/1960; US patent No. 2527230, published 10/24/1950. Delivery of reagents and their distribution in clouds is carried out from aircraft (see, for example, US patent No. 2815928, IPC A01G15/00, published 12/10/1957), using rockets (see ., for example, USSR copyright certificate No. 576839, IPC A01G 15/00), shells (see, for example, Russian Federation, patent No. 2034444, IPC 6 A01G 15/00, published 05/10/1995). These methods allow you to regulate precipitation from already formed clouds.

There are known methods of electrical influence on clouds, based on the delivery of corona wires connected to a high voltage source to the upper layers of the atmosphere (see, for example, USSR copyright certificate No. 71260, IPC A01G 15/00, published on July 31, 1948; US patent No. 3456880, IPC A01G 15/00, published 07/22/1969). The main disadvantage of the described method and known devices is the need to lift the corona wires to the height of the cloud, which predetermines large expenditures of resources and is not always feasible due to weather conditions.

A known method consists of blowing an air flow generated using technical means over corona electrodes installed near the surface of the earth. Technical solutions that implement the known method are a method of causing rain (see USSR author's certificate No. 29675, IPC A01G 15/00, published in 1948), as well as a device for destroying fog (see published application of the Federal Republic of Germany No. 4005304, IPC E01N 13/00). The described method promotes the spread of ionized air, i.e. electrically charged particles upward, thereby accelerating the process of precipitation from already formed clouds.

A known method of influencing clouds involves generating electrical charges into the atmosphere by connecting corona wires attached through insulators to supports near the earth's surface to a high-voltage source (see "Journal of Geophysical Research", Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 1962, Vol. .67, pp. 1073-1082). The implementation of this method involves influencing only clouds formed on the leeward side of the corona wires.

There is a known method of causing precipitation by dispersing into the atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 2000 m using a burner equipped with a fuel and an oxidizer of materials that promote the formation of cloud condensation nuclei. See French patent No. 2097893 according to class. IPC A01G 15/00, F42B13/00. There are no materials on the practical implementation of this method in the literature.

There is a known method for the formation of clouds that cause precipitation by coloring the surface of the earth (see French application No. 2440684 according to IPC A01. G 15/00). It is proposed to carry out painting from a helicopter using coloring substances or by creating artificially green spaces (areas). By changing the absorption capacity of various painted surfaces, the known method proposes to provide an additional flow of solar thermal energy, heating the air and thus creating artificial updrafts and, as a consequence, condensation of the moisture contained in them and the formation of clouds. There are no materials on the practical implementation of this method in the literature.

A device for artificially inducing rain using flat mirrors is known, see French application No. 23866789 according to IPC A01, G 15/00. By arranging the mirrors in such a way that they all reflect the sun's rays upward in one direction, it is planned to ensure the artificial formation of upward flows, condensation of the moisture contained in them and the formation of clouds. There are no materials on the practical implementation of this method in the literature.

Devices for producing clouds are known that involve the creation of moist ascending air currents in combination with the process of cooling them, see French applications 2489657 and 2490067 according to IPC A01, G 15/00. There are no materials on the practical implementation of this method in the literature.

Methods are proposed for the formation of ascending air currents and artificial formation of clouds, using the kinetic energy of the ion wind generated during the generation of a corona discharge. See, for example, RF patent No. 2485763 Ru, published on June 27, 2013, bulletin. No. 18. The device contains a grounded electrically conductive grid attached to support cables suspended from supports. The grid is attached with a gap relative to the corona electrodes connected to the high voltage source, along the equidistant surface formed by the corona electrodes. The device is equipped with power cables connected to the corona electrodes. The cables are suspended on supports through high-voltage insulators. When installing an electrically conductive grid parallel to the surface of the earth, the known device allows the formation of an upward-directed ionic wind, which, in completely calm conditions and with significant area characteristics of the device, can develop into a stable upward air flow. See, for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGGkdaVStXs. However, under natural conditions, when a side wind blows, the ionic wind jet is deflected and the formation of a stable upward air flow in a known manner is difficult.

The technical solution, the description of which is presented in patent for invention No. 2525333 Ru, presents a method that ensures the formation of an upward air flow by generating ionic wind in an air flow moving along the surface of the earth with the subsequent direction of its further movement upward. The known method and device for forming an upward flow make it possible to use the energy of the wind flow. This increases the likelihood of the formation of a stable upward flow in the natural conditions of the real atmosphere, even in the presence of wind. For more efficient formation of clouds, the generation of a corona discharge is preceded by the passage of an air flow over a water surface formed in a reservoir made in advance in the area adjacent to the corona discharge generation device. See RF patent No. 2679681 Ru. In addition, the RF patent for invention No. 2633775 proposes to destroy the surface microlayer during the passage of air masses over a reservoir.

To regulate precipitation by increasing the efficiency of the formation of upward air flow, a number of technical solutions are proposed. For example, in the Russian Federation patent for invention No. 2648378 Ru, in the process of generating a corona discharge, it is proposed to add combustion products of an aerosol-forming composition to the volume of the passing air flow. In the Russian Federation patent for invention No. 2648278 Ru, in the process of generating a corona discharge, it is proposed to add sulfur dioxide to the passing air flow. And in the Russian Federation patent for invention No. 2647276 Ru it is proposed to add turpentine.

The “Method of changing weather in local zones of the surface atmosphere” is known, the description of which is presented in the Russian Federation patent for invention No. 2115296 Ru. The known method involves the creation of a convective cloud by an ascending air current by using a flow of negative ions, as well as the formation of a descending air current at a given distance from the ascending current zone by introducing into the atmosphere a flow of positive ions into a zone located in the wind direction from the zone of formation of the ascending air current during passing over a given territory of convective exchange. A flow of positive ions is introduced into the atmosphere in a zone located at a distance of 1 - 10 km along the earth's surface from the zone where negative ions are introduced into the atmosphere. The known method ensures air circulation - an upward current in the generation zone of negative ions and a downward current in the generation zone of positive ions, which makes it possible to use the proposed method to create precipitation. At the same time, this method can artificially form precipitation in the controlled area, relying only on the moisture content of the air atmosphere adjacent to the area of the controlled area. And in drought conditions, when air humidity is insignificant, its rise by an ascending flow into the upper layers of the atmosphere may not lead to the desired result, the effective formation of a convective cloud capable of precipitation. To reduce the likelihood of precipitation in the controlled area using the known method, in all likelihood, it is necessary to carry out work to ensure precipitation in the area adjacent to the controlled area on the windward side, which is not very effective in conditions of frontal cloudiness.

There is a known method for regulating precipitation, presented in an article by the authors of Harrison at all. Demonstration of a Remotely Piloted Atmospheric Measurement and Charge Release Platform for Geoengineering. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 38, 1, p. 63-75 (DOI: 10.1175/JTECH-D-20-0092.1). The known method is based on the method of electrical influence on the atmosphere. Using an unmanned aerial vehicle in a known method, electrical charges are generated into the atmosphere, which contribute to the activation of the processes of condensation of water vapor and coagulation of droplets, which significantly makes it possible to intensify the processes of modifying weather conditions. At the same time, the known method allows one to simultaneously generate positive and negative charges into the atmosphere. This prevents the formation of artificial electric fields in the atmosphere and limits the effectiveness of the known device’s influence on atmospheric processes.

The closest technical solution to the proposed one is a method of artificially influencing the atmosphere using a device attached to an unmanned aerial vehicle for generating electrical charges into the atmosphere, the description of which is presented in the Russian Federation patent for invention No. 2763511 Ru. The known method allows the formation of a volumetric electric charge of the same polarity sign in the atmosphere by moving a device generating unipolar electric charges into the atmosphere using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The possibilities of artificial influence on atmospheric processes are expanding, including through the initiation of condensation processes of water vapor contained in the air with the release of heat of vaporization and the use of energy, artificially generated electric fields. At the same time, the implementation of this method without analyzing and taking into account data on the complete meteorological information actually existing in the area of expected impact is difficult.

The purpose of the proposed invention is to create an effective and cost-effective technology for artificially regulating precipitation in controlled mountainous or adjacent mountainous areas by modifying ascending air currents that form orographic clouds.

To achieve the stated goal, artificial regulation of precipitation in a controlled mountainous or adjacent mountainous area is carried out by generating electric charges of the same sign into the atmosphere using an unmanned aerial vehicle, and flights of an unmanned aerial vehicle generating electric charges are carried out at least 20 minutes before the predicted time of the onset of precipitation, in the area of rising air flow on the windward side of the orographic obstacle of the proposed precipitation regulation area;

UAV overflights are preceded by an analysis of meteorological data and weather forecasts in the spatial and temporal domain of the proposed precipitation regulation.

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that in the ascending air flow flowing around an orographic obstacle on its windward side, the formed cloud is reseeded with additional cloud condensation nuclei. Reseeding is carried out by generating electrical charges into the rising air flow. Electric charges increase the condensation activity of fine aerosols contained in the atmosphere, which, due to their small size, under normal conditions could not condense moisture on their surface. In addition, electric charges initiate the formation of additional, so-called secondary aerosols in the atmosphere of the ascending air flow, which in the process of their evolution also become cloud condensation nuclei. Additional finely dispersed cloud condensation nuclei condense the moisture contained in the upward flow on their surface and prevent it from transferring to already formed droplets.

The growth process of clouds of droplets formed on the windward side of an orographic obstacle slows down. Droplets do not enlarge to sizes conducive to their coagulation growth.

The activity of droplet growth is reduced to a size sufficient for them to fall to the ground in the form of raindrops.

Rain does not fall from the formed cloud on the windward side, and the moisture contained in the rising air flow flows through the orographic obstacle to its leeward side. Thus, fine droplets formed in the rising air flow on the windward side of the orographic obstacle are transferred by the wind flow flowing around the orographic obstacle from its windward side to the leeward side. The probability of precipitation on the waterlogged windward side of an orographic obstacle decreases and the probability of precipitation on its dry leeward side increases.

The implementation of the proposed technical solution is carried out as follows.

In the area adjacent to the planned territory for regulating precipitation in the mountainous region of the area, there is a base for the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles with equipment for collecting and analyzing meteorological information. Based on the analysis of meteorological data, a weather forecast is generated in the spatial and temporal domain of the controlled territory, where it is planned to carry out work to regulate precipitation. Upon receipt of information about probable unwanted rainfall on the windward side of an orographic obstacle, a decision is made to carry out rainfall control work. In advance, approximately no less than 20 minutes before the predicted time of precipitation, an unmanned aerial vehicle with a device for generating electric charges of the same sign into the atmosphere is sent to the area of the ascending air flow. The flight trajectories of an unmanned aerial vehicle are selected based on the flight capabilities of the aircraft in areas where the speed of the ascending air flow, according to meteorological data, is maximum. In this case, the specific orographic conditions of the area are taken into account.

By generating electric charges into the atmosphere along the trajectory behind the aircraft, a jet of excess electric charge is formed. In this jet, electric charges charge the fine aerosols contained in the air with an electric charge and initiate their condensation activity (see, for example, Lapshin V.B., Paley A.A., Balyshev A.V., Boldyrev I.A., Dubtsov S. N., Tolpygin L.I. Evolution of nanometer range aerosols in a dry and humidified gas environment under the influence of a corona discharge. Journal of Atmosphere and Ocean Optics, volume 23, 2011, no. 11, pp. 997-1001). The processes of formation of new aerosol particles are initiated (see, for example, Morozov V.N., Paley A.A., Pisanko Yu.V. “The role of ionization in the formation and evolution of submicron aerosol particles.” Optics of the atmosphere and ocean, 33, no. 5 (2020), pp. 368-382. doi:10.15372/AOO20200506; M. A. Vasilyeva, S. N. Dubtsov, N. V. Zhokhova, A. A. Paley, Y. V. Pisanko, L. I. Tolpygin. Assessment of the level of concentration of aerosol particles near the highway and power lines in comparison with the background indicators of submicron particles of the natural atmosphere. Proceedings of the Main Geophysical Observatory named after A.I. Voeikov, Issue 580. St. Petersburg, 2016, pp. 99-109). The process of formation of new aerosol particles can be enhanced by adding special conversion gases (ammonia, sulfur dioxide, turpentine) to the generated stream of electric charges. See, for example, RF patents No. 2595015 Ru, No. 2647276 Ru, No. 2647278 Ru.

Newly formed aerosol particles evolve and enlarge to sizes capable of condensing moisture on their surface (see, for example, N.P. Romanov, A.V. Alekseeva, M.A. Vasilyeva, S.N. Dubtsov, V.N. Ivanov, O. I. Ozols. A. A. Paley, Yu. V. Pisanko, D. G. Sakhibgareev. Formation of new aerosol particles and their evolution in filtered atmospheric air: results of experiments in the Large Aerosol Chamber of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NPO "Typhoon". Journal of Atmosphere and Ocean Optics, 36, no. 8 (2023), pp. 656-661. DOI: 10.15372/AOO20230805).

In the jet formed by the unmanned aerial vehicle, additional condensation centers are formed, which collect moisture contained in the ascending air flow on their surface. This jet rises upward with an ascending air flow. In addition to natural cloud condensation centers, the upward flow is saturated with additional condensation centers. The resulting cloud is reseeded in the updraft. The moisture contained in the rising air flow is forced to be distributed among a significant number of cloud condensation nuclei. Additional finely dispersed cloud condensation nuclei prevent the transfer of moisture contained in the upward flow to large droplets and reduce their growth activity. It is known that if droplets with a diameter of more than 100 microns have formed in a cloud, they can grow into raindrops with a diameter of 1 mm in 15-20 minutes. In clouds with many small droplets, the growth of droplets by merging is weaker. See, for example, http://geoman.ru/books/item/f00/s00/z0000070/st028.shtml. By generating electrical charges into the upward flow 20 minutes before the predicted precipitation, the processes of formation of many small drops are initiated in the upward flow. The likelihood of the formation of large droplets capable of coagulation and growth of droplets to sizes conducive to their gravitational precipitation in the form of rain is reduced. The moisture contained in the rising air flow flows through the orographic obstacle to its leeward side. Fine droplets formed on the windward side of an orographic obstacle in an ascending air flow are transferred by the wind flow flowing around the orographic obstacle from its windward side to the leeward side. The probability of precipitation on the waterlogged windward side of an orographic obstacle is reduced and the probability of precipitation on its dry leeward side is increased, which ensures the achievement of the goal of the proposed invention.

Claims (2)

1. A method of artificially regulating precipitation in a controlled mountainous or adjacent mountain area, which consists of generating electric charges of the same sign into the atmosphere using an unmanned aerial vehicle, and the flights of the unmanned aerial vehicle generating electric charges are carried out no less than 20 minutes before the predicted the time of the onset of precipitation, in the area of the ascending air flow on the windward side of the orographic obstacle of the proposed precipitation regulation area. 2. The method according to claim 1, which consists in the fact that overflights of an unmanned aerial vehicle are preceded by an analysis of meteorological data and weather forecasts in the spatial and temporal domain of the proposed precipitation regulation.