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Wind effects on chemical films for evaporation suppression at Lake Hefner
Author(s) -
Crow F. R.,
Mitchell A. L.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr011i003p00493
Subject(s) - wind speed , evaporation , wind direction , environmental science , perpendicular , meteorology , azimuth , atmospheric sciences , hydrology (agriculture) , geology , geometry , geotechnical engineering , physics , mathematics
Chemical films applied to lake surfaces for evaporation suppression are greatly affected by the local wind speed and direction. An evaporation suppression research project was conducted at Lake Hefner where water‐based slurries of hexadecanol and octadecanol were applied at the upwind side of the lake by an offshore sprinkler system. The distribution system was designed for maximum film cover under south winds. The chemical was applied at a variable rate adjusted to the demand created by local wind speed and direction. The application rate required to replace film removed by the wind, in terms of pounds per hour per foot of distribution line perpendicular to the wind, averaged 6.5–8 times greater than for an experimental pond with a similar application system. The upper wind speed limit for successful film application was 13 mi/h. Distribution studies were made to determine the percent of time that wind speeds and directions were favorable to the application of film, i.e., with speeds less than 13 mi/h and direction between 135° and 225° azimuth.