New hurricane control technology

Method of and a device for the reduction of tropical cyclones destructive force 
Hurricane control technology, Calming Hurricane

United States Patent 7798419
Jozef Solc	September 21, 2010

Abstract A method and device for suppressing the destructive force of a tropical cyclone, wherein the ascendant speed of wind in the eyewall of a cyclone is reduced by sea water pumped on-site from under the sea surface to above the surface, and then dispensed in the wind at the bottom of the cyclone in/near its eyewall.

Deveploped in Hydrotechnologia

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION

Said task is dealt with according to the present invention, the principle of which is to reduce the ascendant speed of a tropical cyclone by the sea water pumped on site from under the sea surface above the sea surface and dispersed in the wind at the bottom of such tropical cyclone in/near its eyewall and then drifted to the heights by the kinetic energy of this strong wind.

Diffused sea water in the volume of hundreds of m.sup.3.s.sup.-1 is carried up by ascending wind components to the elevation of 10 to 15 km and represents the energy of several 10 to 100,000 MW, which would continuously, for several days, influence the cyclone in the zone of its highest speed--in/near the eyewall.

The weight of several hundred thousand or even million tons of sea water (depending on the number and output power of the facilities) acts continuously against the ascending air flows in/near the eyewall, thus reducing the speed of these flows which results in slowing down the tropical cyclone's development, the reduction of its maximum category, possibly even its attenuation to a tropical storm. What is happening there is a process of dispersed water droplet aggregation counteracting the above process, but at the same time due to very high speeds of turbulent flow there is also a process of larger drops breaking to smaller droplets, i.e., depending on the wind speed drops maintain a specific maximum size that still allowing them to be born by the usual ascending speed of a cyclone.

The tendency of the centrifugal force to "throw the drops away" eliminates the overall convergent air flow in this location.

Reduced ascending speed reduces the overall flow rates of cold and hot air being mixed in the eyewall and producing thermal energy and condensate essential for the development, size and power of a cyclone.

The essential objective of the present invention is to attenuate tropical cyclone's intensity while still at high sea and to slow down its development and start-up so as to minimize damage to the land or to completely break it down before it hits the shore.

The power characteristics according to the present invention can be expressed by the following formula: P=@.V.g.h.t.sup.-1, in which P(W)--output power, @(kg.m.sup.-3)--specific gravity, V(m.sup.3)--volume, g(m.s.sup.-2)--gravity acceleration, h(m) height, t(s) time

The present invention relates to the method of utilizing kinetic energy of the wind for pumping and dispersing sea water to the updraft of a tropical cyclone.

The method according to the present invention can be applied using a device that is another subject matter of the present invention, the function of which is to: transport itself (or to be transported) to/near the tropical cyclone's eyewall maintain its position in/near the traveling tropical cyclone's eyewall; pump sea water from below the surface and disperse it above the surface to the tropical cyclone's updrafts.

To fulfill this function, the device in its basic arrangement comprises a floating support structure fitted with means for self propelling, means for on-site sea water pumping from under the surface above the surface and then dispersing this water to the wind at the bottom of a tropical cyclone in/near the tropical cyclone's eyewall.

Furthermore, this device comprises means for monitoring and determining its optimal position in relation to the cyclone, transportation means and a control and communication systems. The device may be of various designs, for example as to their: size ranging, for example, from 100 m to 5,000 m shape/circular, quadratic, rectangular, oval, . . . energy source, including the energy for propelling, i.e. it can be powered by wind, atomic, fossil fuel or combined energy discharge head ranging from 20 m to 200 m attendance type of dispersion type of water purification designed maximum wave size design--compact, split quality of materials used output power--from 50 to 5,000 m.sup.3/s transportation method--self transportation, other transportation, the device may be towed or pushed.

The above combination options will have a relation to efficiency, investment and operational costs and life time.

One of possible embodiments according to the present invention comprises a preferably rectangular support structure with floats fitted to the underside of the support structure and means for pumping and dispersion of sea water forming a complex system including suction inlets located under the sea surface, an untreated sea water tank, water cleaning device, cleaned sea water tank, pumps and a distribution part terminated by a plurality of dispersion nozzles.

In addition, the device also comprises propulsion, an anchor and a breaking system.

All these parts are preferably controlled by a control system and its functioning is secured by its own infrastructure.

The device's propulsion is fitted to the support structure under the minimum water level and its design is similar to propulsion designs of other vessels. Its function is to propel the entire device during transportation and to correct its movement in operation.

The rudder, including auxiliaries, is fixed to the support structure and its function is to keep the device floating in the right direction, either during transportation or during the operation in the cyclone. As in the case of the propulsion, also here it will be a designer's task to choose a suitable rudder and its auxiliaries.

The anchor and its auxiliaries are securely connected to the support structure and resemble means well known from other watercrafts. Its function is to anchor the device when not in operation.

The infrastructure, the function of which is to technologically safeguard device's functions, comprises a hydraulic distribution system, compressed air distribution system, power distribution system, light current distribution system and a power generator including a transformer station with auxiliaries, etc. The device is protected by known lightning protection means.

The control system comprises equipment known to automation professionals. Its function is to assure continuous optimization of the device positioning, movement, power and communication with the land, satellite, etc. The control system comprises a backup power supply and the device may also comprise a backup control system.

The device according to present invention can be further equipped with other auxiliaries comprising known assemblies, vessels necessary for possible operators, researchers, adrenaline tourists and including facilities such as--food storage, spare part storage, workspace, toilets, bathrooms, dressing-rooms, rest rooms, infirmaries, etc.

The following is an example of the attenuation power of one device with the capacity of lifting 250 m.sup.3/s of water to the air to the average elevation of 10 km: P=@.V.g.h.t.sup.-1=1000.250.10.10000.1 W=25,000,000,000 W, i.e. 25,000 MW If, for instance, 4 such facilities are used, their output power is 4 times higher, i.e. 100,000 MW (100 GW)

If said 4 facilities are used, for example, for the period of 10 days, the total work amounts to 24,000 GWh=24.0 TWh.

Developed in Hydrotechnologia 

United States Patent 7798419