Artificial Initiation of Lightning in Thunderclouds by Model Hydrometeor Groups

Abstract

Basic provisions of the scientific and engineering fundamentals of the methods of an artificial initiation of the downward lightning and intracloud lightning by the model hydrometeor arrays have been formulated. The key role played by the model hydrometeor size and form on the probability of an artificial initiation of the downward lightning and intracloud lightning has been established. Volume hydrometeors of centimeter size are tailored for such goals. Dividing of the model hydrometeors on the five classes differing on the electric field amplification coefficient has been proposed. Model hydrometeors with the amplification coefficient from 5 to 19 will be the most optimal for an artificial lightning initiation. It was found that the requirements for the sizes and parameters of the model hydrometeor families and to the places of their introduction in a thundercloud will be determined in most by the effect of the earlier appearance of the avalanche corona on the hydrometeors. It discharges the nearest parts of the thunderstorm cells leading to the local decreasing of the field strength, probability of the streamer corona initiation, and its transition into the volume leader. It was determined that the combining of the model hydrometeors in the group by the dielectric string or tape and the simultaneous introduction in thundercloud of some hydrometeor arrays will significantly increase the probability of the artificial initiation of the intracloud lightning and lightning “cloud–ground,” and the successful discharging of a thundercloud. Moreover, the minimal linear sizes of separate hydrometeor groups should be more than several dozens of centimeters. Some variants of the disposition of the model hydrometeor groups in a thundercloud (near the bottom boundary of the thunderstorm cell, inside the thunderstorm cell, and in the space between the thunderstorm cells) when the most optimal conditions for the initiation of the intracloud lightning and lightning “cloud—ground” are provided, have been proposed.