“How do we keep the pipes in Oymyakon, Russia from freezing?

Submitted by ​клевые дети

Natalia Sterzer

Cy Skiby

Zaylie Parkins

Corissa Rasmussen

Sierra Mace

Salt Lake Community College Communications 1010

December 2019

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 Table of Contents

Executive Summary………………………………………………………………..2

Project Description ………………………………………………………………...3

Methods……………………………………………………………………….........4

Problem Question…………………………………………………………………..3

Analyzing the Problem……………………………………………………………..4

Setting Criteria……………………………………………………………………...12

Brainstorming Solutions…………………………………………………………....13

Analyzing Solutions………………………………………………………………..14

Implementing Solutions…………………………………………………………....16

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...18

Works Cited……………………………………………………………………….19

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 Executive Report

Our team name is ​клевые дети, which in Russian means cool kids. It is fitting because

our problem takes place in Oymyakon, Russia, which is the coldest permanently inhabited place

in the world. As a group, we hope to find a solution to the freezing cold and solve the problem of

the pipes freezing during their long winter.

After determining our problem, we researched the history, characteristics,

stakeholders, policies, and the resources involved with our problem of the pipes freezing. We

then analysed different types of solutions for what was best for Oymyakon, Russia and what

needed to change. After that, we brainstormed ideas such as: heat tape, replicating and building

another power station, building a snow ​triboelectric nanogenerator, and building a nuclear power

plant. We created criteria for each solution and determined what would be most productive for

the town. We then organized our criteria and ideas and came to the solution to replicate a power

station in the town. This was our best solution because it was the most cost friendly, long term,

and had already been proven to work.

The goal of our criteria was to discover what it took to get the best solution for the

town. The process of coming up with solutions was related to our problem of the pipes freezing

and how we could fix this inexpensively and a way that will benefit the town tremendously. We

had to brainstorm all of the things that could potentially go wrong, but also what we could to in

order to make sure it would work properly. First we had to look at how far away the homes could

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be from the power station because the distance was a big deal. We then had to look at how

expensive it would be so the town could manage it. Finally we had to look at transportation and

what it would take to get to Oymyakon, Russia.

We came to a conclusion to use the power stations. We found this to be the best one

because the town already has one, but it couldn’t cover the whole town's area, so we are looking

to build more of these in order to provide for the whole village. The power station is coal

powered and uses a high pressure superheated steam that drives a turbine, the turbine then drives

an electric generator that produces electricity that is used in homes, businesses and factories. It

has been proven to work in the town, so we think it is the most effective solution.

Project Description:

We are ​клевые дети, a ​group of five that came together to find a solution to the freezing

cold of Oymyakon, Russia. We found that the biggest issue was that the pipes in the town would

freeze because of the cold causing there to be no indoor plumbing and no hot water running

through the village. Our group met five times to research and discover what was best for the

people of Oymyakon, Russia.

Our solution to our problem is building more coal powered station in order to keep the

whole village warm and able to have indoor plumbing. As we researched, we discovered that a

school in Oymyakon, Russia already has one of these powered stations but it only covers a

certain amount of land in the town. We hope to find a way to build more in order to cover more

of the village and solve the pipes from freezing.

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 Methods:

Our groups first objective was to develop a Team Contract. The purpose for the team

contract was to decide each person's jobs and responsibilities. This way we were able to

understand what tasks needed to be done. After we sorted out responsibilities, we all did research

to better understand Russia and how to solve a problem. After researching, we came up with

criteria to help us find the best possible solution. Following our brainstorm, we ranked each

solution based on our criteria. We then took our top three solutions and developed pros and cons

to help find the overall best possibility to help Oymyakon, Russia.

I. Problem question: “How do we keep the pipes in Oymyakon, Russia from

freezing?”

II. Analysis of the Problem

As we came together to discuss our problem with the pipes freezing we had to discover

the possible characteristics, stakeholders in the problem (people who might be affected), the

history of the problem, and policies that might affect the problem or our solutions. We also

identified resources we could use in finding a solution.

A. Characteristics

Oymyakon Russia is the coldest place on earth. Which makes it challenging to live there

rather than other places in the world. The weather there is always cold and has harsh storms.

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Ksenia Dobrowolska talks about the kind of weather there and some of the signs that tell you

about the weather. She says that the type of weather is a majority of low frequency, frosty is

predominant. It is frequently reported that the weather is marked numerical code 1100 which

means extremely frosty, clear and calm. In Oymyakon, it is exceptionally frosty, partly cloudy

without precipitation, and has a light breeze. Oymyakon sits at a 63.4608 N, 142.7858 E latitude

just a few hundred miles from the Arctic Circle. It is completely dark for 21 hours a day during

the winter. The people of the town don’t think it is cold until it hits 50. Oymyakon’s average

temperature in January is –50.1°C (Dobrowolska 81-104). That is how you for sure know that

these people who live here are used to the snow storms and the harsh weather because

temperatures that would usually affect us here in the United States are lightweight for the people

of Oymyakon.

Nick middleton talks about his experience of going to Oymyakon, Russia and talks about

some of the villagers and some potential dangers that comes with living there.​ Lower

temperatures have been recorded in Antarctica, but there are no permanent inhabitants there. The

temperatures here compared to the others in antarctica or the arctic circle (Middleton, 33). He

lived with a woman named Tamara, was his host for his stay and also provided him with

information he didn’t know about yet.This is what he said about something he asked her. “When

I suggested that it must be difficult living here in winter she shrugged philosophically and said

that there are difficulties in anyone’s life. ‘But if I had a choice to live anywhere in the world, it

would be here,’ she added.”

It would be rough to live in a place that makes you revolve around doing things in your

life that other people don’t have to do. All the water is frozen in Oymyakon because of how cold

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it is. When they need water, they have to go hack it out of the river as big chunks of ice and

dragged home on a sled. In order to melt the ice they have to carry it in one by one in order for it

to melt quickly. Because it is the coldest inhabited place on planet earth, they have no plumbing

system during the icy winter. This means no baths or not running water and no indoor or outdoor

plumbing. Each house has their own outdoor “thunderbox” which is a wooden shed over a hole

that is in the ground ( Middleton, 33).

There is a power station that is nearby, but many houses are out of range for that to work

in their house, which means they have to cut their own wood in order to create heat and make a

fire. Fuel in Oymyakon is plenty full in supply because of the major forest around the village.

They don’t have a decent amount of meals so they rely a ton of hunting and ice fishing. A

favorite local dish is raw fish that is cut into strips and dipped into salt. The villagers are

employed, but their salaries don’t always show up on time so it is good to have alternative

options in order to survive. These people get frostbite at least once a day, maybe even twice, and

they claim hit hurts but with be gone by the springtime (Middleton 33).

B. Stakeholders

People in Oymyakon, Russia are freezing. The temperature on an average day is about

–35°C. Within the community, there are many issues that need to be addressed. One of them is

frozen pipes. The pipes are there for heating insulation, and when they become frozen, it is much

harder to stay warm. This effects everyone. No matter where you go, or who’s house you stay at,

if the pipes are frozen.

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 People have tried to solve this issue by hacking down giant ice cubes to stack and save

until the time is right to bring it inside to melt and use (Middleton 33). While this does work, it

takes an incredibly long time. Not only that, but if the hot water was tossed into the freezing air,

the water will instantly turn into snow (Scholastic Scope). People need help, and they need it to

work effectively and efficiently. Without help, they could possibly freeze to death.

Not only does the frozen pipes mean it is harder to stay warm, but they do not have a

plumbing system. That means no showers, no bath, and no toilet (Middleton 33). This is a major

problem for the community. When all plumbing is shut off, that not only means a cold shower,

but it entails a life of misery. People can not step out in the freezing cold naked, if they do so it is

only a matter of seconds before they could freeze to death.

This issue also has an effect on schools. When the most important things like hunger or

thirst come into place it can blind you from your learning. All you can think about are those vital

issues and you will not be able to focus. The same goes for when it is freezing, or you can not go

to the bathroom. The only way they can use the restroom is by going outside into a wooden shed.

Although this is better than having nothing, it is not beneficial.

Luckily, one school has had the help they need with great plumbing systems. This is only

accomplished through nearby power stations. However there are not enough to help everyone. In

order to make more power stations it would take a lot of money and a ton of commitment. Even

then, building a power station would take a long time and even extra long at the coldest place on

Earth.

As for nearby shops in Oymyakon they own two. One is government owned and the other

is private (Middleton). The biggest thing they sell at the shops is meat (Middleton). The meat is

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one of the best ways they can keep their villagers warm. The people of Oymyakon love to hunt

and live on it. By doing this, it also helps benefit the people financially. Now while these do not

help dramatically, they help incrementally and the town of Oymyakon can take any chance they

can to be warm.

C. History

Before I get into the history of the problem, I think you need to be informed about the

general history of the town of Oymyakon, Russia. The greatest and most blatantly obvious

problem, which causes the problems we researched, is the terrible cold. Oymyakon is the coldest

permanently inhabited place on Earth (Allen 38). Oymyakon has an average temperature of -15.5

degrees celsius, and the coldest temperature being recorded being -71.2 degrees celsius, or

-160.16 degrees fahrenheit (Allen 38). It is as cold as it is because of its location on the planet

(Allen 39). It is located 350 kilometers (217.48 miles) from the Arctic Circle and 2000 (6561.68

feet) meters above sea level (Allen 39). It also experiences very extreme change in temperature

because of the short summers, with the greatest temperature change in a few weeks being 109

degrees celsius (228.2 fahrenheit) (Allen 41).

Because of the small population there is little history about the early history, but there is

information about the more recent history. Although historically the population has been quite

small, it has been a decent tourist attraction (Allen 40). Despite the horribly cold weather, there

are still things that attract people to the town. The two major attractions being the amazing

northern lights that you can see in the town, and the hot springs, located just outside of the town

(Allen 39,40). Because the town is so small, there are actually no hotels located in the town, you

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must actually contact someone in the town and stay with them (Allen 39). The author of this

article, Nick Allen, was actually able to find a place to stay for mere 25 dollars a night.

One of the most impressive things to me about Oymyakon is actually the health of the

people. The doctor of the town, Alexandra Yakovlea, reports that there is actually a link between

the colder weather and health, he shows this with how they hardly ever experience flu epidemics

in Oymyakon (Allen 42). He also speaks about how there has been almost no reported cases of

cancer in the town’s history and that there are “surprisingly few intestinal complaints, despite the

fatty meat-intensive diets” (Allen 42). This was surprising to me but obvious the more I thought

about it, it is so cold there that bacteria has a hard time existing.

Another good thing about living in this small town, is the amount, or lack thereof, of

crime. Most of the problems they have are the occasional drunk wandering around causing

trouble (Allen 42). The most severe crime gets is domestic disputes between neighbors that are

generally settled between them (Allen 42). Infact, the town does not have any police members

(Allen 42). If any case is too serious to handle in the town then the case is sent to Russian

officers in Tomtor and the prosecution office in Ust-Nera (Allen 42).

Although it is a very desolate town, they aren’t completely disconnected from reality.

They are slowly moving towards new and innovating ideas. The town recently built a brand new

school, and have plans to rebuild the post office that was shutdown in the last decade (Allen 42).

The town's residents are also awaiting an instalment of an outbound phone line and internet

connection (Allen 42). Although the town is moving towards a more modern lifestyle, there are

still parts of life in the town that are aged. For example, during the very short summer time is

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spent fishing, hunting, gathering wood and making hay for the long winter months ahead (Allen

42).

D. Policies and Politics

In Oymyakon, Russia climate change is a big problem and affects lives all around Russia.

Back in 1974, how they raised their people and treated them very poorly, was when not all would

have enough money for the situations of climate change they were dealing with. First, there will

be many more severe weather events: coastal flooding and inland flooding, ice storms, prolonged

snow storms, mud slides, inundations, droughts, hurricanes, cyclones, heat waves, wildfires, and

more. Second, natural catastrophes affect people in the region in which the catastrophes happen

most, but they also have a cumulative effect on the entire country (Eichiler). They had and are

still dealing with their pipes being frozen and not having money to fix them more work on them.

Climate change has affected multiple people as well as their daily lives.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2014), Asia will be

most affected, but looking at already visible effects, Africa and Latin America are next in line to

suffer substantially (Eichler). Although many other places will deal with different climates that

affect them as well, they still are affected by how their government chooses to fix the problems.

Play outside is widely recognized as providing many benefits, including giving children a chance

to burn off energy, calm them and recharge their energy levels, help them understand and

interact with the natural world, provide them with opportunities for more social interaction with

peers, help develop their powers of observation and their assessment of risk, offer opportunities

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for creativity and free play, and increase their physical health (Government of Alberta). Many

children were affected by the weather and were not able to learn much of outside when it was too

cold. Their government and people along their congress should be able to find ways for schools

to give them better exercise and give more creativity.

Religions would also be affected by how they are all different, some people may not want

or know how to keep their pipes to not freeze up. Many were born with different cultures and

don’t know how to fix their frozen pipes.

The way many were raised was different and could have affected what their not used too.

Some religions may need to wear certain clothing items and may not be able to use them because

of the climate change they are dealing with. A striking example is presented of a newly observed

phenomenon in the ice-covered Arctic Ocean that appears to be a consequence of changes in the

physical forcing (Pickart).

E. Resources

After spending time researching ways we can fix the problem we are investigating. We as

a group , came across a list of resources that could potentially help our situation. Our main focus

was to find something that would be reasonable for the people of the village & or the best

possible solution for them .

We looked into many different articles to see what helps prevent pipes from freezing in

the winter whether it was from Russia in general or other places in the earth. One Resource we

came across was the use of heating tape. Heating tape keeps the pipes from freezing but aren’t

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always the best idea. They aren’t a permanent solution to keep the pipes from freezing. We

would have to dig up the pipes every three months to replace the tape. They also cause a risk of

fires and they are not the most reliable.

We also came across the option of using Energy based power source.

There were so many different options and sources we could go to. Energy sources such as

Solar Panels, Power stations , Power plants , and or Generators. We did a brief research on Solar

panels and how they help with pipes from freezing , the cost , the supplies , and all sorts of

sources that could help the village. We looked briefly into solar panels as a solution but came to

an understanding that It wouldn’t work as well. Solar Panels need Solar energy in order to work

properly and considering Russia only gets sun 6 minutes of sunlight in the month of December.

In an average day the sun produces 384.6 yW.. Considering the fact that they only get about 6

minutes of sunlight in a day , in December… would not be enough Solar energy in a Solar

panel. So solar panels were out of the question. During our research we came across an Article

on SLCC Library. The article stated how a school in used a coal powered power station to keep

energy running through the school. The power station produces heat and energy throughout the

building. Keeping the school warm and preventing their pipes from freezing. As a group , we

decided to do more research into the power stations and came to the executive decision that we

were gonna solve our problem of the solution of building another power station in the village. In

a brief preview we looked into either building power stations or installing power generators in

the town. Looking into in town resources here in the US to give us an outlook on supply cost..

And what supplies are needed.

In order to get information on the town we did research on the Nearest city “Yakutsk”

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Yakutsk is 20 hours and 50 minutes driving distance away from Oymyakon. They have a city

mayor who is the first ever Female leader in Siberia ; Sardana V. Avksentieva . Age 49 years

old. She has been in office since 2018 & Rules the capital that constitutes over 20% of the

Eastern Siberia Region. So I got into contact with her to figure out what life is like in Russia

during the winter . I haven’t yet gotten a response. But I contacted her to help find a solution and

in what she does for her people to keep their pipes from freezing in the winter.. Being that the

mayor of Oymyakon is Unreachable.

III. Criteria

Before we come to a conclusion we need to look at all possible solutions. This is why

looking into all criteria is important. When we do this we will be able to find the best

solution to our problem considering all the different circumstances to prevent it.

A. General goal

Our general goal is to find a way for the pipes in Oymyakon, Russia to not freeze

so the village can have heating and plumbing.

B. Specific criteria

● Is it close to the village

● Is it inexpensive
● Is it easy to build
● Is it legal
● Does it help the majority of the village
● Will it be effective

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 ● Will it be consistent help? (won’t break down easily)
● Find evidence on it (information)
● Will it be a burden to the village financially
● Is it going to be best for the people.

IV. Brainstorm possible solutions

As a group, our next step was to brainstorm different solutions of how we can keep the

pipes warm and working. ​ ​Some of these solutions may be crazy or unreasonable,

however, we still wanted to list it as a possibility so we could get as many ideas as

possible.

Top Solution Choices:

1. Heating tape
2. Power stations
3. Solar Panel
4. Snow-based triboelectric nanogenerator
5. Nuclear Power Plant

V. Solution Analysis

Criteria Chart

Criteria Solution 1: Solution 2: Solution 3: Solution 4: Solution 5:

Heating tape Power Solar Panel Snow-based Nuclear
stations triboelectric Power plant
nanogenerat
r

Close to the 5 4 5 5 5
village

Inexpensive 3 0 1 2 0

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Easy to build 5 2 2 3 2

Is it legal 5 5 5 5 5

Does it help 5 5 5 5 5
the majority

Effective 5 5 0 5 0

Consistent 2 4 3 4 3
help (won’t
break down
easily)

Find 5 5 5 0 5
evidence on it
(information)

Burden 3 4 3 2 4
financially to
the village

is it best for 3 5 0 5 0
the people

Total: 46 35 23 29 24

A. Final solution

We decided as a group that the best solution for our town Oymyakon, Russia would be

building and importing more power stations into the village to be able to warm up the

pipes for the whole village eventually allowing them to have warm running water and

plumbing.

This solution excels over the other because:

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 This solution we knew worked because we had read about it in an article and it said that it

worked in part of the village, just couldn’t cover the whole village, so we knew it was

reliable. We also looked at our other solutions and it was one of the best options

financially. The thing that sold us the most was that it was consistent and wouldn’t break

down easily, which gave us good

B. Possible negative consequences

Barrier 1​: It is very expensive

Solution​: Fundraiser

Barrier 2​: It takes time to build

Solution:​ Plan it out and have a schedule of when to get it done and follow through

Barrier 3:​ Transportation of supplies

Solution:​ Plan out how much we need and find the most effective way to get as much supplies
on board to transport

VI. Implementation of the Solution

Step: Person Assigned: Due date:

Expense Corrissa Rasmussen 12/19/2020

Supplies/where are we Natalia Sterzer 12/19/2020

going to get it

Transportation Cy Skiby 12/19/2020

Where we are building it. Zaylie Parkin 12/19/2020

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Expense: ​The first step to our final solution is too find out the expense of the whole thing.

Depending on the amount of kilowatts that we use, it can get up to $3,500. With the shipping, it

would cost at least $70 possibly more, so we wouldn’t know the exact total until we fully got all

of our parts and shipped it. To break it down we looked into section by section what parts we

need in order to build the station. We had to look into the cost of each part and how much we

would need necessarily. For building a Power station a Coal supply. (Depending on the amount

of kW needed to power) Coal cost 7 to 14 cents per kW ( on Average that would be 84 dollars

for 600 kW)

Supplies/Where are we going to get it: ​We can get some of our supplies off of amazon and it is

possible for amazon to ship it directly to Oymyakon, Russia, the shipping cost is $70. We can

also get the supplies from Lowe’s as well, and have them shipped.

Transportation: ​Our way of transportation is going to be shipping it from Amazon headquarters

which is located in Seattle, Washington. From there, we will transport our supplies that we need

to Tomtor Tomtop, and from there they can use the postal service to deliver it to the town of

Oymyakon Russia.

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Where are we going to build it: ​We are building the Power station at exactly 63.461863 N,

142.782477 E. This is located mainly in the center of the town. It is in an open area which makes

it easier to build. This also makes it available to reach more land than the other one.

Conclusion

We analyzed and researched each possible solution to our problem of the pipes freezing in our

town. It came down to the amount of effectiveness and how much space it could cover so the

whole town would be supplied with this heat. Not only was this our best option because of the

expense and long term use, it also helps the town live in an easier way than they are now.

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Macfarquhar, Neil. “In Siberia, a First Female Mayor Builds a National Profile.” ​The New York

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