Nuclear power plant building wake effects on atmospheric diffusion: simulation in wind tunnel
Date
1981-06
Authors
Peterka, J. A. (Jon A.), author
Kothari, K. M., author
Meroney, Robert N., author
Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
A 1:400 scale model of the nuclear power plant and the surrounding complex located in the Midwest was placed into the Meteorological Wind Tunnel at Colorado State University to study the building wake effects on atmospheric diffusion. The mean concentration measurements were made at five arcs downwind of the complex. Results show that the buildings significantly alter the dispersion patterns downwind of the complex. The maximum ground level concentration for each of the sample arcs occurred during the moderately stable stratification for the turbine building release. Similar maximum ground level concentration results were obtained for the other two release locations except for the 73.7 m downwind arc. The maximum ground level concentration at each arc occurred for a wind direction of 135 degrees except at 147.3 m arc. At the arc distance of 147.3 m this maximum was obtained for a 157.5 degrees wind direction. The modified Gaussian predictive equation underpredicted the measured concentration. The wind tunnel measurements were modified using weighted algorithm method to account for the variations in the wind direction and stratification observed in the field data. The method was realistic in both predicting centerline concentration values as well as the horizontal spread of the plume. The additional concentration measurements were performed in the wake of cylindrical, cubical and hemispherical buildings with various vent heights and neutral stability. The maximum ground level concentrations were in the wake of cylindrical buildings. The experimental results show that for the vent heights of 1.5 times the building height, the building wake effects were minimum on the ground level concentration.
Description
Includes bibliographical references.
EPRI NP-1891.
Research Project 1073-2.
Prepared for Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California.
CER79-80KMK-RNM-JAP28.
Final report, June 1981.
EPRI NP-1891.
Research Project 1073-2.
Prepared for Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, California.
CER79-80KMK-RNM-JAP28.
Final report, June 1981.
Rights Access
Subject
Nuclear power plants -- Environmental aspects
Wind tunnels