Modeling pollutant dispersion within a tornadic thunderstorm

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-1116(08)71001-X· OSTI ID:6504965

Pepper, D. W.

A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to calculate ground-level air concentration and deposition of particles entrained in a tornadic thunderstorm. The rotational characteristics of the tornadic storm are within the larger mesoscale flow of the storm system and transported with the vortex. Turbulence exchange coefficients are based on empirical values. The quasi-Lagrangian method of moments is used to model the transport of concentration within a grid cell volume. Results indicate that updrafts and downdrafts, coupled with scavenging of particles by precipitation, account for most of the material being deposited closer to the site than anticipated. Approximately 5% of the pollutant is dispersed into the stratosphere.

• Research Organization: Du Pont de Nemours (E.I.) and Co., Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-76SR00001
• OSTI ID: 6504965
• Report Number(s): DP-MS-80-84; CONF-810702-7; TRN: 81-009498
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 20; Conference: International conference on numerical methods for laminar and turbulent flow, Venice, Italy, 13 Jul 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
AEROSOLS
DEPOSITION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
STORMS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TORNADOES
TURBULENCE
VELOCITY
COLLOIDS
DISASTERS
DISPERSIONS
MASS TRANSFER
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLS
WIND
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)