Warm Cloud Size Distribution Experiment Based on 70 m<sup>3</sup> Expansion Cloud Chamber

Li Ruijie; Huang Mengyu; Ding Deping; Tian Ping; Bi Kai; Yang Shuai; Yao Zhanyu

doi:10.11898/1001-7313.20230503

Vol.34, NO.5, 2023

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Article Navigation > Journal of Applied Meteorological Science > 2023 > 34(5): 540-551

Li Ruijie, Huang Mengyu, Ding Deping, et al. Warm cloud size distribution experiment based on 70 m3 expansion cloud chamber. J Appl Meteor Sci, 2023, 34(5): 540-551. DOI: 10.11898/1001-7313.20230503.

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Li Ruijie, Huang Mengyu, Ding Deping, et al. Warm cloud size distribution experiment based on 70 m³ expansion cloud chamber. J Appl Meteor Sci, 2023, 34(5): 540-551. DOI: 10.11898/1001-7313.20230503.

Li Ruijie, Huang Mengyu, Ding Deping, et al. Warm cloud size distribution experiment based on 70 m3 expansion cloud chamber. J Appl Meteor Sci, 2023, 34(5): 540-551. DOI: 10.11898/1001-7313.20230503.

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Warm Cloud Size Distribution Experiment Based on 70 m³ Expansion Cloud Chamber

DOI: 10.11898/1001-7313.20230503

Li Ruijie^{1, 2},
Huang Mengyu^{1, 2
,
,},
Ding Deping^{1, 2, 3},
Tian Ping^{1, 3},
Bi Kai^{1, 3},
Yang Shuai¹,
Yao Zhanyu⁴

1.
Beijing Weather Modification Center, Beijing 100089
2.
Field Experiment Base of Cloud and Precipitation Research in North China, CMA, Beijing 101200
3.
Beijing Key Laboratory of Cloud, Precipitation and Atmospheric Water Resources, Beijing 100089
4.
CMA Weather Modification Center, Beijing 100081

Received Date: 2023-05-04
Rev Recd Date: 2023-08-13
Publish Date: 2023-09-30

Abstract

Abstract

To better understand the influence of aerosols on micro-properties of clouds and to facilitate weather modification experiments including the analysis of various materials' seeding effect on clouds and precipitation, Beijing Weather Modification Center has taken a decisive step forward by constructing an advanced facility known as Beijing aerosol and cloud interaction chamber (BACIC) in suburban Pinggu district. Boasting an impressive volume of 70 m³, BACIC is not only the largest of its kind in operation in China, but also a testament to the scale of the country's commitment to this sphere of atmospheric science. The enormity of the chamber's capacity facilitates the performance of a broad spectrum of investigations, thus enhancing the comprehensiveness and reliability of the results obtained.Inside BACIC, advanced instrumentation allows for the meticulous measurement and control of temperature, relative humidity, and background aerosol concentration. During 2019-2021, the chamber's capabilities extend further, as demonstrated by successful tests of its ability to create liquid and mixed-phase clouds. These attributes, combined with its capacity to control the cloud droplet size distribution as proved by comparative experiments involving changes in expansion rate and aerosol number concentration, solidify BACIC's standing as a prime location for warm cloud experimentation. The chamber has also been utilized to investigate effects of anthropogenic pollution over North China Plain (NCP) on cloud microphysics. Using ambient air and manipulating the expansion rate, a significant correlation is discovered between such pollution and the size distribution of cloud droplets. Interestingly, while an increase in aerosol leads to higher number of cloud droplets, it also causes a decrease in droplet size, typically within the range of 5-8 μm. Furthermore, an increase in aerosol number concentration leads to a decrease in the activation rate of aerosols into cloud droplets. This activation rate is around 10% for aerosol concentrations less than 5000 cm^-3, and remains stable even when the aerosol concentration increases to 10000 cm^-3.BACIC is also proved useful in conducting warm cloud expansion experiments involving different hygroscopic materials. It shows that the distribution of submicron (less than 1 μm) hygroscopic catalysts in a polluted environment leads to narrowing of the cloud droplet spectrum. It suggests that for the purpose of artificially reducing warm clouds or fog, it is recommended to use larger particle sizes. The results obtained from these diverse series of experiments have significantly contributed to theoretical knowledge and provide practical guidance for the ongoing development of artificial weather modification techniques.
- cloud chamber;
- adiabatic expansion;
- aerosol;
- size distribution of cloud droplet

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References(54)

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1 Pressure and temperature(a), cloud droplet number concentration(b), and cloud droplet spectrum(c) of expansion warm cloud in BACIC

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图 2 不同上升速度的暖云滴谱特征

(①~④分别对应14.3，9.13，6.28，2.09 m·s^-1的上升速度)

Fig. 2 Size distribution of warm cloud droplets for different rising speed

(①-④ corresponding to rising speed of 14.3,9.13,6.28,2.09 m·s^-1, respectively)

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Fig. 3 Size distribution of warm cloud droplets and liquid water content for different aerosol number concentration

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Fig. 4 Relationship between cloud number concentration and aerosol number concentration

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Fig. 5 Relationship between activation ratio and aerosol number concentration

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Fig. 6 Relationship between activation ratio and rising speed

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Fig. 7 Size distribution of warm cloud droplets under polluted and clean conditions

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Fig. 8 Air temperature variation of adiabatic expansion experiment in BACIC

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Table 1 List of successfully operated cloud chambers

云室所属机构	类型	国别	运行情况	研究方向
卡尔斯鲁厄理工学院^[33]	膨胀云室	德国	1996年至今	沙尘冰核特性、同质核化、云辐射特性
密歇根州立大学^[28]	湍流混合云室	美国	2016年至今	湍流对云滴谱影响
欧洲核子研究中心^[34]	膨胀云室	瑞士	2006年至今	气溶胶新粒子生成及有机气溶胶作为冰核特性
日本气象研究所^[35]	动力云室	日本	2012年至今	云微物理测量
曼彻斯特大学^[36]	膨胀云室	英国	2009年至今	冰核核化和起电机制
科罗拉多州立大学^[37]	动力云室	美国	已停用	云微物理(冰核)
宾州州立大学^[38]	混合云室	美国	已停用	云化学

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Table 2 Performance indices of BACIC

指标	参数
形状	圆柱形
材料	316L型不锈钢
体积	70 m³
表面积	118.4 m²
直径	2.6 m
高度	14 m
温度范围	-45℃至室温
压力范围	1 hPa~常压
成云方式	膨胀成云
洁净度	小于10 cm^-3

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Table 3 Simulated rising speed corresponding to depressurization rates

减压速度/(hPa·min^-1)	上升速度/(m·s^-1)
84	14.30
54	9.13
36	6.28
12	2.09

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