University of Alaska, Arctic Environmental Engineering Laboratory and University of Alaska, Institute of Water Resources
Abstract
The environment of cold regions is generally viewed as inhospitable, primarily
due to application of ideal processes and techniques suitable to temperate
zones. The work herein is a step toward solving two environmental problems.
The first involves the supply of inexpensive, potable water in Arctic regions,
the lack of which is a severe detriment to development. Although water does
exist in the Arctic, it is neither available in potable form during many months
of the year nor does it occur in sufficient quantity near the point of use. Principally,
this lack is caused by the aridness of the Arctic and the shallowness
of fresh water sources which, for all practical purposes, do not exist but
freeze completely each winter season. The remaining liquid water source is
the sea. Arctic problems are then similar to other arid regions where the
conversion of sea water to potable water or the transmission of potable water
to desired locations is necessary. Cold temperatures generally preclude
transmission except over very short distances.
Desalination by freezing sea water is a much reported process and has been
included among the desalination processes under study worldwide. The
advantage of this method in the Arctic is the cold winter-time temperature
for freezing and the existence of adequate solar energy in the summer for
melting self purified ice. Power requirements are greatly reduced using these
natural phenomena.
The second aspect of this study concerns the use of artificially grown sea ice
as a structural material, thinking primarily in terms of coastal facilities such
as docks, jetties, islands, platforms, etc. At sufficiently high latitudes, the
summer ablation can be controlled to the point where major structures can be
maintained intact during the summer. The unit cost of material is quite low
because of low energy requirements.
The results of this study show that each of these sea water uses have considerable
promise. Desalination to potable level was accomplished. Ice growth
rates were obtained which indicate that ice structures of substantial size can
be built.This project was accomplished under a matching grant between the Office of
Water Resources Research, Department of the Interior, and the University
of Alaska, Arctic Environmental Engineering Laboratory. Funds available
under this grant purposefully did not anticipate the heavy logistic expense
in moving the project and equipment from Fairbanks to Kotzebue, Alaska.
Therefore, a major third contributor was the Alaska Air National Guard,
Kulis Air Force Base, Alaska. The support offered by the officers and men
of the Alaska Air National Guard was excellent and greatly appreciated
