How CSG Composites improved rainmaking performance through innovative Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic Solutions  

Introduction to Radium  

Radium specialises in control systems integration and machine building across a range of automation and controls, electrical design, consulting and safety services. They provide bespoke, tailored solutions for each client’s unique challenges.   

Radium has collaborated on rainmaking projects with some of their customers to design and manufacture Cloud Seeder Arrays. The technology utilises ground-based ionisation to create aerosols to attract moisture and increase the probability and yield of rainfall. The Cloud Seeder Arrays use about 90,000DC volts through a stainless-steel wire array, using high voltage insulators, electrical parts, and a wide range of other integrated materials. Previous models of the Cloud Seeder Arrays had used pultruded fibreglass frameworks to hold the structure together, but these didn’t have enough resin and started to fray. Radium then decided to seek out an alternative supplier to manufacture a more robust framework to hold the Cloud Seeder together.  

Developing the Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Structure  

Radium had a strict criterion they were working with when sourcing a supplier to manufacture the main structure of the Cloud Seeder Array. They were looking for something lightweight, yet strong, and robust enough to withstand harsh outdoor conditions from a variety of different climate factors. They decided to partner with CSG Composites to manufacture the structure out of fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) and a more suitable resin finish.  

“CSG Composites are the place to go for reinforced fibreglass plastics. They have a lot of experience, they have good communication, and the results are great,” said Radium Electrical Engineer Scott Morris.  

“I have worked with CSG Composites previously, and the quality of their solutions is great. We needed something that could give us 15 – 20 years of design life. We had a very specific design criterion, and with CSG Composites’ expertise in fibreglass reinforced plastics, we were able to get the right advice on materials, and they came up with the right compound solution and the right manufacturing process”, said Mr Morris.  

The initial FRP framework structures within the Cloud Seeder Arrays were completed in 2017, and Radium ordered several more sets in 2023 after seeing the great results from the first group of structures installed as part of cloud seeding programs in the deserts of Oman.  

“Oman was a big test, as they get lots of sandstorms, and they are installed at quite a high altitude. There is no shade or shelter there, so they copped the full elements. The team that received them are really happy with how they have performed,” said Mr Morris.   

Great results from using Fibreglass Reinforced Plastics from CSG Composites  

Since installing the Cloud Seeder Arrays using CSG Composites FRP designed parts, the program saw a 16-19% increase in annual rainfall. As FRP materials don’t rust or degrade over time, they have reduced the amount of costly maintenance repairs or replacement parts often required from using other products.  

The other big advantage of using the CSG Composites solutions was the easy installation of the Cloud Seeder Arrays. Previous models had taken 2 weeks to install, but with the CSG Composites FRP parts, installation on took only 2 days, seeing a great reduction in installation costs.  

The other area in which CSG Composites excelled was great customer service, and a willingness to put the customer first.  

“We had some issues with our transport company and getting our frameworks delivered on time. Jerry, the Sales Director, drove it all up himself from Parkes to Sydney to make sure it got there. So, it’s that great level of country service we get,”   

The high quality of the CSG Composites FRP parts has delivered excellent performance levels resulting in a great success for the cloud seeding program. Radium is now in discussion with other organisations in the USA about using CSG Composites as a supplier for construction of their cloud seeding programs.  

“It’s their knowledge of composites and FRP, the materials, the resins. It’s the experience they bring to the table with knowing the right compounds to put together is what makes the difference”, said Mr Morris.  

CSG Composites is committed to designing and manufacturing the world’s best reinforced fibreglass plastic tanks and silos. To learn more about how to access better knowledge, people and services with CSG Composites, please contact our team.