Determination of the Water Content of Snow by Dielectric Measurements

Abstract

The dielectric properties of wet and dry natural snow were studied in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 1 00 kHz to determine whether measurements made in this frequency range might prove useful in evaluating the water content of snow. Dielectric heating at 20 kHz proved a very useful means of modifying the water content from 0 to 30% by weight. Six different natural snows were used in these experiments. Meltwater was analyzed for conductivity, pH, and impurity content. In addition to developing information on the dielectric properties of wet and dry snow, we measured the changes produced in dry snow by altering its density over the range of 0.11 to 0.66 g/cm3. Details of the experimental technique and the data obtained are fully reported. Our results do not lead to optimism about the usefulness of measurements in this frequency range alone for the determination of water content.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA256299

Entities

People

  • David R. Labrecque
  • Paul R. Camp

Organizations

  • University of Maine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Capacitance
  • Computers
  • Conductivity
  • Crystal Structure
  • Detectors
  • Dielectric Permittivity
  • Dielectric Properties
  • Electrical Properties
  • Frequency
  • Geometry
  • Grain Size
  • Impurities
  • Measurement
  • Power Measurement
  • Protons
  • Standards

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies