Abstract:
A cloud chamber is an important equipment for laboratory research on cloud physics and weather modification. The Hebei double-75-m
3 expansion cloud chamber is a comprehensive, medium-sized cloud chamber developed and constructed in China. This paper introduces the main body of the cloud chamber, the structure of the main supporting system, and experimental tests. Through the tests, during the cloud formation process, the temperature, pressure, and humidity variation characteristics of an experimental sample gas inside the big-volume cloud chamber are studied. Furthermore, its excellent comprehensive performance and key environmental technical parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity control, are tested. The experimental results show that the chamber can control the temperature of its environment from room temperature to −50°C, its maximum cooling rate can be over 0.5°C min
−1, the pressure controlling range is from normal pressure to 1 Pa, and it possesses several humidity adjustment methods. The chamber can realize dynamic expansion to generate cold or warm clouds. Under suitable conditions, cloud or fog can last for more than 30 min. With this chamber, basic cloud physics experiments can be carried out.