Creating and maintaining a pool of fresh water on a tabular iceberg
US4191491A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 1978 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE03B3/30
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Tabular icebergs can be used as a source of fresh water in arid regions if they are transported from the Antarctic to where there is a need for water. To help reduce the rate at which solar radiation melts the iceberg on its journey, pools of fresh water are maintained on its upper surface, thereby taking advantage of the fact that the latent heat of evaporation of water is about seven times that of fusion of ice. The pools are created by protecting a closed path on the surface of the iceberg from melting by means of flexible sheet material. The protected path then forms the walls of the pool. At its destination the iceberg's pools can be given a V-shaped bottom to help increase the rate at which the iceberg is turned into fresh water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.