Field of the Invention

This invention relates to means and methods for reducing global warming.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved means and methods for reducing global warming.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided means for reducing global warming comprising a chimney which rises through the troposphere and the tropo pause into the lower level of the stratosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. The tropopause is the boundary in the Earth’s atmosphere between the troposphere and the stratosphere. It lies, on average, at 17 kilometres above equatorial regions, and about 9 kilometres over the Polar regions.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of reducing global warming comprising the use of a chimney as defined above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an upwardly extending chimney,

Figure 2 is a similar view of a slightly different chimney,

Figure 3A is a plan view of the top of the chimney,

Figure 3B is a sectional view of part of the structure, and

Figure 3C is a cross-sectional view of the upper end of the chimney of Figure 1 or Figure 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a chimney, which rises from the earth’s surface through the troposphere and the tropopause into the stratosphere. The required length of the chimney will depend on the location of the chimney and the required length will be greater near the equator than near the Polar regions, and in summer than in winter. In practice, the best result may be to standardise on the longest chimney required at the relevant location in the summer.

Thus, in the radiosonde ascent of the 28 ^th January 2019 by GRUAN from Ny-Alesunde in Norway, 78.9 degrees North, the temperature was - 61.46 Celsius at a height of 8,836.4 meters and ceased to fall at that height. In contrast, in the radiosonde ascent of the 20 ^th July 2018 by GRUAN from Singapore, 1.34 degrees North, the temperature was - 86.58 Celsius at a height of 17,018 meters and ceased to fall at that height.

It will thus be appreciated that the height required for an atmospheric cooling chimney near the equator will be almost twice that of a similar device near the North or South Polar Regions. Fortunately the wind stresses should be less.

Figure 1 shows the uppermost structure of cooling fins 1A, which protrude into the cold upper air, where they lose heat by evaporation, radiation and convection, which may be boosted, if appropriate by the use of specific materials, such as copper or graphene, to make the upper cooling fins 1A. Beneath the upper cooling fins 1A, there are lower inner fins 1B, which are cooled by the upper fins 1A and condense the moisture in the warmer air brought to the top of an insulated chimney 1 C from ground level. The chimney 1C is surrounded by at least one layer of heat- insulating material to prevent heat loss as the ground level air is raised to the level of the cooling fins 1B. A drain 1D extends downwardly from a position in line with the lower ends of the inner fins 1 B to aquifers, underground tanks or distribution hoses 1 L to carry the condensed water from the inner fins 1 B to the aquifers, underground tanks or distribution hoses or sump 1 L. The drain 1 D may be insulated to prevent freezing of the water flowing downwardly through it. The drain 1 D may alternatively lead into the sea.

There is a support girder 1 E for the conical structure, which includes trapezoidal outer plates 1F. Within the chimney 1C and adjacent the base thereof, there is a heater element 1G to promote the upward flow of air and the heater element 1G is located just above a pointed cone 1 H with radiused edges to guide the laminar flow of air as indicated by the arrows 1J. There are perforated panels 1K around the base 1Q of the structure to allow the inward flow of air to the base of the chimney 1C while preventing the entry of birds or insects. Three altitude levels are indicated by the lines 1M, 1N and 1P.

The escape of heat laterally from the chimney 1C is prevented by a thick layer of insulation and the chimney is supported laterally by a conical structure of girders 1E. Strengthening reinforcements may be provided, if necessary, together with a covering of roof plates 1 F, which may be of metal or plastic. The roof plates 1F overhang a lower circumferential wail, which contains a multiplicity of perforations of approximately 2 cm. in diameter to allow airflow towards the perforated panels 1K but prevent the entry of birds. The wall may contain a number of doors and the overhang is of sufficient extent to prevent a build-up of mud, snow or ice from blocking the inward airflow.

The base of the chimney 1C is a large flat circular plate and it may be supported approximately 100 meters above the ground by walls or girders with a central aperture that is sufficient to lead the “swept-up” airflow into the approximately 50 meters diameter chimney 1C into which there is a 360 degree airflow from the perimeter. This airflow is caused by suction from the partial vacuum at the top of the chimney and the upward movement of warm air. As mentioned above, there is a radiused flow cone 1H of appropriate size and shape to direct the airflow smoothly upwards whilst maintaining a laminar flow.

The air heater 1G within the chimney 1C can be used to start the upward flow of air, if necessary. There may also be a powerful fan, not shown, which can be used to boost the upward flow of air.

Figure 2 shows a structure similar to that shown in Figure 1 and with reference numbers similar to those in Figure 1 , but in this case the chimney 2C has a flare of 2 degrees in case of friction impeding air-flow and there is a fan 2G just above the heater 2H. The second parts of the reference numbers for Figure 2 differ slightly from those shown in Figure 1.The lines 2P and 2Q relate to data at 88 meters and 130 meters respectively measured at Camborne, UK, on the 3 ^rd March 2020. Line 2R indicates a height restricted to 433 meters. Such data has indicated that effective results can be achieved.

Figure 3A is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 1. It includes cooling fins 3D, which may be supplemented if necessary by Peltier cooling. Adjacent the cooling fins 3D, there are a number of apertures 3E, which enable distillate water to drain down from the plastic condensate gutter 3H to a lower plastic gutter 3J shown in Figure 3B, from which it flows downwardly through drain 3K to drain 1 D of Figure 1 and then to sump 1 L

Figure 3A also shows a layer of insulation material 3F surrounding the chimney 1C to prevent the loss of heat to the surrounding atmosphere. Figure 3A also shows an array of photovoltaic panels 3G to power Peltier heat pumps, lights, beacons or the like.

Figure 3B is a detail view of the area where the water from the condensate gutter 3H of Figure 3A arrives via apertures 3E before flowing down pipe 3K. The lower plastic gutter 3J is a circular structure that follows the inner wall of the chimney in order to control the transfer of condensate via drains or pipes 3K to the ground or a planned subterranean destination. Figure 3B also shows the bottoms 3L of fins that are tapered to assist airflow. Figure 3C shows grooves 3M that are scored into an arrangement of rectangular fins, which are placed into an array as shown in Figure 3A and made of a material which is a good heat conductor and highly resistant to corrosion, for example, copper or graphene.. Figure 3C also shows the arrangement of fins 3N which remain within the insulated chimney, preventing horizontal heat loss, and an arrangement of fins 3P, which protrude beyond the top of the insulated chimney and are cooled by the high-altitude air.

The structures described above are intended to be mounted on land. They may alternatively be mounted on a series of pontoons, which enable the structure to be situated on a lake or on an ocean.