Numerical Modelling of Iceberg Towing for Water Supplies—A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractsThe towing of unprotected icebergs from the Antarctic continent (66° S.) to latitude 38° S. has been simulated using an explicit hydrodynamic model and an extended two-dimensional melting model. It was found that nominal towing accelerations in excess of 2 × 10-5m s-2were required to deliver ice over this route in most circumstances, and minimum energy consumptions were obtained at accelerations around 10-4m s-2. Unprotected icebergs could be delivered with about 50% yield to latitude 38° S., but the rate of deterioration in the warm waters indicates that protection would be required for longer journeys. The towing simulation was most sensitive to north-south current components, the total towing distance and the rate of iceberg deterioration. Efforts directed towards locating suitable icebergs in the region 50° S. to 60° S., and towards increasing knowledge of the changing current patterns in the Southern Ocean would be most valuable, as would a knowledge of the mechanisms and rates of deterioration of icebergs in warm seas.