United States Patent (15;
Chang et al.
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‘STRATOSPHERIC WELSBACH SEEDING
FOR REDUCTION OF GLOBAL WARMING
Inventors: David B. Chang, Tustin; I-Fu Shit,
Los Alamitos, both of Calif
Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company, Los
Angeles, Calif
S13 145:
‘Ape. 23, 1990
621K 1/00
'250/S05.4; 250/504 R;
7250/503.1; 244/158 R
250/305.1, 504 R, 503.1,
2507493.1; 244/136, 158 R
References Cited
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(t) Patent Number: 5,003,186
(#8]_Date of Patent: Mar. 26, 1991
Primary Examiner—Sack 1. Berman
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Michael W. Sales; Wanda
Denson-Low
oo ABSTRACT
‘A method is described for reducing atmospheric or
Blobal warming resulting from the presence of heat-
trapping gases in the atmosphere, Le., from the green-
house effect. Such gases are relatively transparent 10
sunshine, but absorb strongly the long-wavelength in-
frared radiation released by the earth. The method incu-
des the step of seeding the layer of heat-trapping gases
in the atmosphere with particles of materials character-
ized by wavelength-dependent emissivity. Such materi
als include Welsbach materials and the oxides of metals
which have high emissivity (and thus low reflectivities)
in the visible and 8-12 micron infrared wavelength
regions.
3222695 12/1965. Schwere raise
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Mar, 26, 1991
US. Patent
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|U.S. Patent Mar, 26, 1991 Sheet 2 of 2 5,003,186
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