Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: suavros on 02/03/2011 05:07:11

Title: Can we cover NYC (or large city) with helium filled tarp when it snows/sleets?
Post by: suavros on 02/03/2011 05:07:11
Would it be possible, and I suppose cost effective in the long-term, to develop some type of helium filled tarp that would cover a high population density area, like Manhattan for instance, when it snows, in order to prevent snow plowing, roads being damages, car accidents, mess, etc. There would have to be some type of way where the snow would melt on contact and drain in holes/tubes. I feel like this would be a great idea, with many benefits, but would it be possible to create a 20 square mile 'helium tarp' in the case of Manhattan?
Title: Can we cover NYC (or large city) with helium filled tarp when it snows/sleets?
Post by: Geezer on 02/03/2011 05:32:32
There might be a couple of minor issues to contend with, like;

How would you prevent the helium from asphyxiating the entire population?

How would you get rid of all the soot, CO2, CO1 etc that would either poison or asphyxiate the population?

How would sunlight penetrate the barrier to alllow plants and trees to grow?
Title: Can we cover NYC (or large city) with helium filled tarp when it snows/sleets?
Post by: Bored chemist on 02/03/2011 06:57:44
Helium is expensive. You would have to use hydrogen. Remember to print "no smoking" on the tarp.
Also, this thing would have to hold up thousands of tons ( perhaps millions) of snow. How big a balloon would that take?