Warm Fog Artificial Dispersion, Preliminary Results

We describe the results of laboratory and field experiments directed to disperse warm fogs. The laboratory experiments were conducted inside the Large Aerosol Chamber (3500 m3 volume) RPA Typhoon (Obninsk, Russia) while the field experiments - at Caucasus foothills (Nalchik, Russia) and foothills close to Usui-Karuizawa (Japan). The results of experiments in the Large Aerosol Chamber demonstrated that the ion wind generated by the corona discharge lifted the fog cloud up (from the height of 3 m to the height of 12 m). In the installation area, the fog dissipated and the visibility range increased dramatically. Field experiments at North Caucasus revealed that the method for fog displacement from a controlled area with air stream electrically cleared from fog droplets could only be recommended to disperse fog in the area located downwind the object. At the same time, the fog flow velocity should also be no more than 5 m per second. Statistics of field experiments at foothills close to Usui-Karuizawa (Japan) indicated that the effect of corona discharge on warm fog manifested itself in a noticeable change in fog’s density and range of visibility. The methods of fog displacement with air mechanically purified from water droplets are also considered from the point of view of its potential technical solutions.