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> Black balls will also heat up more, causing more evaporation. Question. Overall, is the heat absorption of the black balls greater than open water? I imagine
by redcalx 11y ago
> Black balls will also heat up more, causing more evaporation.
Question. Overall, is the heat absorption of the black balls greater than open water? I imagine it's about the same, but perhaps the issue is that the balls are concentrating the heat at the surface, and on the surface of the rotating balls. So it does seem like the evaporation rate could well be higher.
I suppose it comes down to the mean rotation rate of the balls.
- rdlecler1 11y agoSmart thinking. The balls could be slightly weighted to avoid this issue, albeit this could mean the balls collect a rim of sludge more easily.
- redcalx 11y ago> the balls collect a rim of sludge more easily Not sure if that's a massive issue, that would probably seal the water off even more effectively. That makes me think that this whole balls idea will limit gas exchange too, i.e. much reduced oxygen absorption, but I guess if they want no life in the reservoir that's not an issue. Overall though I can't help feeling like there are going to be some significant unintended consequences with this scheme.
- WalterBright 11y agoThe weighting won't prevent them from sloshing around due to wave action and getting the upper surfaces wet anyway.
- SamReidHughes 11y agoThey'd be fine. For example, the tops of these ducks are dry: https://i.imgur.com/RYyBMrf.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RYyBMrf.jpg In a reservoir you're not going to get waves that manage to spin the weighted side of the ball up any considerable amount, even if it's only slightly weighted.
- SamReidHughes 11y agoActually maybe I'm talking out of my behind -- what if there was wind? Add more weight then. Obviously a weighted oblate spheroid, like the ducks, would definitely work.