Method of producing cumulus clouds

Claim 1

A method for the disruption of a thermal inversion layer in the atmosphere at temperatures above and below 0° C. whereby cumulus cloud formation is enhanced comprising the steps of: mixing a pyrotechnic composition containing from about 15 percent to about 25 percent by weight magnesium, and from about 56 percent to about 76 percent by weight of at least one chlorine supplying compound; burning said composition to produce combustion products in an environment having a relative humidity greater than about 30 percent; producing and augmenting a thermal updraft through the initial heat of combustion resulting from combustion of said composition; maintaining said thermal updraft by the heat of hydration from an alkali earth metal aerosol formed as one of the products of the reaction of said magnesium and said chlorine supplying compound during combustion, and the heat of condensation resulting from the deposition of water on aerosol nuclei formed from said combustion by-products; and penetration and disruption of said inversion layer by said aerosol and said products resulting in a lowering of and conduit formation through said thermal inversion for the passage of air beneath said inversion therethrough.

Claim 2

A method for the disruption of a thermal inversion layer in the atmosphere at temperatures above and below 0° C. whereby cumulus cloud formation is enhanced comprising the steps of: mixing a pyrotechnic composition containing from about 15 percent to about 25 percent by weight magnesium, and from about 56 percent to about 76 percent by weight of at least one chlorine supplying compound; burning said composition to produce combustion products in an environment having a relative humidity greater than about 30 percent; producing and augmenting a thermal updraft through the initial heat of combustion resulting from combustion of said composition; maintaining said thermal updraft by the heat of hydration from an alkali earth metal aerosol formed as one of the products of the reaction of said magnesium and said chlorine supplying compound during combustion, and the heat of condensation resulting from the deposition of water on aerosol nuclei formed from said combustion by-products; and penetration and disruption of said inversion layer by said aerosol and said products resulting in a lowering of and conduit formation through said thermal inversion for the passage of air beneath said inversion therethrough.