Felix Waterspout

Felix Trombe (March 19th 1906 Nogent-sur-Marne - 1985 Ganties in Haute-Garonne) is a chemist, physicist and speleologist French. He is one of the pioneers of the solar energy in France.

Biography

Felix Trombe passes his childhood to Ganties, small village of the the central Pyrenees.

Studies and professional path

He obtains the diploma of Engineer - Chimiste in 1928 with the institute of chemistry of Paris. During its thesis in 1930, it studies the properties of metals of the chemical series of the Lanthanide S.

It then directs during 24 years (1945 - 1969) the laboratory Georges Urbain dedicated to the study of these metals of the National center of the scientific research (C.N.R.S.).

It is more known for its work on the very high temperatures related to the solar energy. It directs in 1949 creation, with Mount-Louis (the Eastern Pyrenees), of a prototype of Solar furnace of a power of 50kW, then large furnace of 1.000 kw dOdeillo Make-Romeu.

Within the framework of the saving energy or of the assistance to the countries in the process of development, Felix Trombe studies other forms of exploitation of the solar energy passivates. He creates with the Architecte Jacques Michel the Mur Waterspout. This wall is composed of a concrete block which accumulates the solar radiation of the day and restores it during the night.

Even after its retirement in 1976, it ensures assistance and councils all the countries interested by the exploitation of solar energy

The scientific Work of Felix Trombe was the subject of approximately 300 Publication S and of many contracts and Brevet S. Moreover, Felix Trombe organized several international symposiums.

Action within the framework of speleology

In 1934, Felix Trombe explores the underground Comminges.

In 1945, it belongs to the commission of speleology depending on the National center on the scientific research (C.N.R.S.) and of another on the French National committee on Geodesy and Geophysics. It supports Jeannel in 1948 during the creation of the National committee of Speleology which will become the French federation of speleology.

From August 6th to 12th 1947, it takes part in explorations of the underground river of Padirac with Guy de Lavaur and its son Géraud, Jean Lesur and Louis Conduché. Waterspout equips transfers it of Jolly, then they reach Great Chaos. Waterspout analyzes thereafter the water coloured with resurgences of the river and proves the bond between Padirac and the résergences under Montvalent.

In 1947, it directs the operations of exploration of the pit of the Henne Morte ( Réseau Felix Trombe ) with the support of soldiers who install an electric cable. August 31st, Norbert Casteret and Loubens succeed in reaching the underground of. The record of France of depth is reached: -446 meters.

The network Felix Trombe is one of the greatest underground complexes in France with thirty-three pits connected on a total unevenness of -1018 meters.

July 20th at August 10th, 1948, it again explores the underground river of Padirac with the assistance of parachutist to convey 700 kg of matched floor which passed to be essential to the assembly of the tents. These floors, slowed down forwarding heavily. The following year, Robert of Jolly will show while sleeping very equipped on its turned over boat, that there is not even need for tent heated with candles and even less boards. Mrs Trombe and Misses Charlotte Henry of Blanchetais will make measurements of ionization and C02. Waterspout equips Great Chaos upstream and downstream and pushes a point of 1000 m in a very beautiful gallery with many gours, generally vacuums of water, very beautiful concretions and few difficulties, in company of Clamagirand, of lieutenant de Courville and Cioni: " stop on rien".

In 1949, it takes part again in an exploration with the pit of Padirac under the direction of Robert of Jolly with Guy de Lavaur, Jacques Ertaud, Jean Deudon, Doctor Clamagirand, Jonquières and Bernard Pierre. it reach the junction with the affluent of Jolly and stop in top of the cascade of the future.

Felix Trombe was during 6 years the president of the Spéléo-Club of Paris.

Distinctions

Military Cross 1939-1940
Knight in 1947, then officer 1961 of the Legion of honor
Commander in the Order of the academic palms
Gold medal of the sports
Prize winner of the chemical Company of France in 1934, of in 1935 and 1948, Company of geography in 1946 and the Institute Academy of Science of France in 1953
of many prices for its work on energy solairedont the Grand Prix of energy (General society), the scientific Grand Prix of the Town of Paris, the price Farrington Daniels of Solar Energy Society.

Works speleological

the mystery of Henne Dead by Felix Waterspout, Collection Voyages and Adventures, Paris, 127p ISBN 2734807432 EAN 9782734807438
Traité Speleology by Felix Trombe, Paris, Payot, 376 p., 1948
Which do I know Knew? n° 455: the subterranean water by Felix Waterspout, University Presses of France (1969) ISBN B0000DR24K

References

http://www.outilssolaires.com/Glossaire/pop-Trombe.htm
http://perso.orange.fr/pascal.kober/05reportages/02speleo1.htm
Padirac 99, state of knowledge on the network of Padirac at December 31st, 1999 by Jean Lesur
It was once Padirac by Jean Lesur, extract of Padirac 1989 - Report/ratio of forwarding - Departmental committee of Speleology of the Batch.

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