Real-time modeling of complex atmospheric releases in urban areas

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10178717

Baskett, R L ^[1]; Ellis, J S; Sullivan, T J ^[2]

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1. EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (United States)
2. Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)

If a nuclear installation in or near an urban area has a venting, fire, or explosion, airborne radioactivity becomes the major concern. Dispersion models are the immediate tool for estimating the dose and contamination. Responses in urban areas depend on knowledge of the amount of the release, representative meteorological data, and the ability of the dispersion model to simulate the complex flows as modified by terrain or local wind conditions. A centralized dispersion modeling system can produce realistic assessments of radiological accidents anywhere in a country within several minutes if it is computer-automated. The system requires source-term, terrain, mapping and dose-factor databases, real-time meteorological data acquisition, three-dimensional atmospheric transport and dispersion models, and experienced staff. Experience with past responses in urban areas by the Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory illustrate the challenges for three-dimensional dispersion models.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States); EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Pleasanton, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48; AC08-93NV11265
• OSTI ID: 10178717
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC--115998; CONF-9408145--1; ON: DE94018063
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

053004
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200
AIR
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONTAMINATION
DESIGN BASIS AND HYPOTHETICAL ACCIDENTS
EMERGENCY PLANS
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTERS
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
URBAN AREAS