Iceberg cometh
The feasibility of melting icebergs to obtain supplies of liquid fresh water is, while still undemonstrated, worth considering in view of the nearly 30 million cubic kilometers of fresh water ice in the world. Most of the fresh water ice is in the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which has tabular icebergs of regular shape and comparatively easy access for towing to the Southern Hemisphere. Several development proposals have been made for Southern California, Australia, and the Middle East. The authors describe the nature of icebergs, some of the technical problems of towing (such as wind and ocean currents and the rate of melting), and possible environmental impacts when the iceberg arrives at its destination. They suggest that time spent in selecting favorable icebergs will improve the economics. Innovative equipment for tugboats and a refrigerated drydock to retard melting could minimize some of the towing problems. Exploitation of the iceberg upon arrival could also include its use as an energy sink. 6 references.
- Research Organization:
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab., Hanover, NH
- OSTI ID:
- 6073086
- Journal Information:
- Technol. Rev.; (United States), Vol. 81:8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ICEBERGS
WATER RESOURCES
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ECONOMICS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TRANSPORT
ICE
POLAR REGIONS
RESOURCES
290400* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources
520500 - Environment
Aquatic- Site Resource & Use Studies- (-1989)
290500 - Energy Planning & Policy- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization