Atmospheric conditions favorable for the creation of artificial clouds by a jet saturated with hygroscopic aerosol

• Published in: Atmospheric research 2022-10, Vol.277, p.106323, Article 106323
• Main Authors: Abshaev, Magomet T., Zakinyan, Robert G., Abshaev, Ali M., Zakinyan, Arthur R., Ryzhkov, Roman D., Wehbe, Youssef, Al Mandous, Abdulla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial clouds; Buoyancy jet; Condensation level; Convection; Convection level; Humidity; Inversion layer; Temperature lapse rate
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2022.106323

The possibility of creating artificial clouds based on theoretical modeling of a vertically directed buoyancy jet was analyzed considering vertical temperature lapse rate, wind speed, relative humidity of the near-ground atmospheric layer, and thickness of the inversion layer. Numerical experiments demonstrated that a jet with an initial velocity of 300 m/s, the temperature of 300 °C, and flow volume of 240 m3/s without additional energy feeding can reach the condensation level in certain conditions, namely, absence of an inversion layer, vertical temperature lapse rate >8 °C/km, and humidity >85%. The introduction of three types of hygroscopic aerosols with different hygroscopic points into the jet and the replenishment of the jet energy with heat from the condensation of water vapor can expand the boundaries of favorable conditions for stimulating thermal convection and creating artificial clouds. The results can be used to develop criteria for choosing days with favorable conditions for conducting field experiments. •Theoretical model of buoyancy jet for the creation of artificial clouds.•Hygroscopic aerosols can expand favorable conditions to create artificial clouds.•Jet fed with heat energy from water vapor condensation.•Range of favorable conditions can be expanded upon use of hygroscopic aerosol NaCl/TiO2.