A PRELIMINARY SUBSURFACE HEAT TRANSFER STUDY OF THICKENING SEA ICE.

• Main Author: Vineratos, Edward R.
• Other Authors: NAVAL CIVIL ENGINEERING LAB PORT HUENEME CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1967
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Thermodynamics; (*SEA ICE; HEAT TRANSFER); FEASIBILITY STUDIES; THICKNESS; FREEZING; THERMAL STABILITY; THERMAL ANALYSIS; SALINITY; COOLING; SURFACE TEMPERATURE; ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE; UNDERWATER; COMPRESSED AIR; BRINE; Ice; Ice Sheet; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0815384; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0815384

Any method of accelerating the growth of an ice sheet results in thicker and, in most cases, stronger ice. To eliminate the problems of excessive salt and a temporary isothermal temperature gradient associated with surface flooding, three methods of accelerating bottom freezing of an ice sheet were investigated. These were a high-pressure, low-temperature air method; a cold-coil, working-fluid controlled-refrigeration method; and, an ice chip-seawater aggregate injection method. Investigation was primarily concerned with the heat transfer and feasibility of these methods. The controlled-refrigeration and the ice chip-seawater aggregate methods were concluded to offer possibilities for accelerated subsurface thickening of limited-size and large ice areas, respectively; the high-pressure, cold-air method was considered impractical because of the power input required for a small refrigerating effect. The maximum ice thickness attainable for a natural ice sheet, however, was concluded to be dependent on the prevailing air temperature. Laboratory experiments and theoretical analysis should be continued to determine the technology required to develop the controlled-refrigeration and ice chip-seawater aggregate methods for accelerating subsurface ice growth. In addition, a study should be made to determine the maximum thickness and rate of thinning which can develop under various temperature regimes common to polar regions. (Author)