Investigation of Solar Energy for Ice Melting.

• Other Authors: ARMOUR RESEARCH FOUNDATION CHICAGO ILL
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1948
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *Ice; *Solar heating; Rivers; Lakes; Wastes(Industrial); Reclamation; Slags; *Solar energy absorbers; Waste recycling; *Lake ice; *River ice; Ice disintegration; Ice; Ice Sheet; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0787111; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0787111

The object of this study was to investigate the possibility of melting ice formed on the surfaces of rivers and lakes in the northern parts of the United States by applying a layer of a material that would absorb more of the available solar energy. Heat losses from water surfaces during the winter months were calculated based on a literature survey. Under the conditions existing in the northern United States the growth of an ice sheet and the effect of solar energy absorbed on the rate of the ice formation was analyzed. The effect of an absorbent layer applied to the ice surface on the growth of the ice sheet is studied. The extent to which the melting rate could be altered by such a layer is investigated. A discussion is made of the materials that can be used for this purpose and it is suggested that industrial waste materials be given first consideration. It is estimated that 105,000 lb of industrial slag of dark color (absorptivity ranging from 0.70 to 0.80) would give a layer 0.03 in. thick, 100 ft wide and 1 mile long. It is recommended that industrial waste materials as well as others be studied to determine their applicability as possible absorbers.