A Time-dependent Thermodynamic Model of the Build-up of Sea-ice Platforms

Abstract

Abstract A mathematical model is proposed which gives operational criteria for the construction of artificial, floating ice platforms by water flooding and spraying. The model is based on the one-dimensional heat conduction equation. It gives the change in time of the internal temperature field of the ice layer as it responds to changes in the external conditions. The influence of the atmospheric conditions, including wind speed, air temperature, and cloud cover, on the thermal changes in the ice layer have been considered, both for flooding and for spraying. The importance of the water-delivery conditions, the mass flux of the supplied water, and the degree of droplet cooling during spraying, have also been investigated. The rate of ice growth has been examined for repetitive spraying and flooding, and the quantitative advantage of spraying has been demonstrated.