Modeling mesoscale diffusion and transport processes for releases within coastal zones during land/sea breezes

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5487152

Lyons, W A; Keen, C S; Schuh, J A

This document discusses the impacts of coastal mesoscale regimes (CMRs) upon the transport and diffusion of potential accidental radionuclide releases from a shoreline nuclear power plant. CMRs exhibit significant spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal variability. Case studies illustrate land breezes, sea/lake breeze inflows and return flows, thermal internal boundary layers, fumigation, plume trapping, coastal convergence zones, thunderstorms and snow squalls. The direct application of a conventional Gaussian straight-line dose assessment model, initialized only by on-site tower data, can potentially produce highly misleading guidance as to plume impact locations. Since much is known concerning CMRs, there are many potential improvements to modularized dose assessment codes, such as by proper parameterization of TIBLs, forecasting the inland penetration of convergence zones, etc. A three-dimensional primitive equation prognostic model showed excellent agreement with detailed lake breeze field measurements, giving indications that such codes can be used in both diagnostic and prognostic studies. The use of relatively inexpensive supplemental meteorological data especially from remote sensing systems (Doppler sodar, radar, lightning strike tracking) and computerized data bases should save significantly on software development costs. Better quality assurance of emergency response codes could include systems of flags providing personnel with confidence levels as to the applicability of a code being used during any given CMR.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
• OSTI ID: 5487152
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-3542; ON: DE84900627
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220502* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Environmental Aspects-- Radioactive Effluents
500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
MASS TRANSFER
METEOROLOGY
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PLUMES
POWER PLANTS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SHORES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WIND