Infinite cloud model of electrification by the precipitation mechanism in a possible rainout situation. Interim report, 14 January 1976--30 July 1977 [report]

J.D. Spangler
1977 unpublished
This report examines the extent to which the ionization associated with a radioactive aerosol will limit electric field growth in a thundercloud. Favored mechanisms for thundercloud electrification, called precipitation mechanisms, involve charge separation in collisions between falling hydrometeors and cloud droplets followed by separation of the resulting charged objects as the hydrometeors fall through the cloud and the droplets move with the updraft, He have extended a simple,
more » ... , precipitation-mechanism model to include effects due to the pre sence of radioactive aerosol particles. These effects involve exploring the behavior of the model for various choices of the ion-generation rate. Our basic conclusion, which we do not believe will be altered by refinements in any of the areas of limitation of the model, is that, although there is some variation with choice of parameters and charge-separation mechanism, an ion-generation rate G > 10 cm" s" will prevent significant electric-field growth. 6 f homogeneity and zero macroscopic charge density. The current density J has contributions from the motions of charged droplets, charged hydrometeors, and In some models atmospheric ions. The ionic contribution to the current density for natural thunderclouds is not well understood, primarily because it is not clear how to represent the ion production by corona fGriffiths, Latham, and Myers. 1974; Levin and Scott. 1975]. There has been no attempt to treat ion-production rates as large as might be encountered In a cloud infected by radioactive debris. 7 Aufdermaur, A. N., and D. A. Johnson, "Charge Separation due to Riming in an Electric Field", Quart. J. R. Met. Soc. .98, 369-382 (1972). Biondi, M, A" "Atmospheric Electron-Ion and Ion-Ion Recombination Pro cesses", Can.
doi:10.2172/6852215 fatcat:v3u3yvltrfdqhonuw73yye6ruq