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U.S. Department of Energy
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Diagnostic validation of Gaussian and first-order closure plume models at a moderately complex terrain site. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5614965
Objectives were to evaluate the performance of current models in predicting plume dispersion at power plants in hilly terrain; to compare the performance of models used for hilly and flat terrains; and to diagnose the sensitivity of ground level concentration predictions to variables such as plume rise and vertical diffusion. Study focused on algorithms that most Gaussian and first-order closure models use to compute wind speed at stack height, horizontal plume spread, vertical plume spread, plume rise, and the height of temperature inversion bases in mixed-layer plumes. Predictions of these algorithms were compared with corresponding field measurements made at the 950-MW Bull Run plant in Tennessee. The field measurements were based on air quality and meteorologic and power plant emission data collected during two 5-week periods of continual, on-site monitoring. A sensitivity analysis was used to obtain specialized measurements of plume dispersion. Researchers then compared the performance of the models with others evaluated in flat terrain studies.
Research Organization:
Systems Applications, Inc., San Rafael, CA (USA); TRC Environmental Consultants, Inc., East Hartford, CT (USA)
OSTI ID:
5614965
Report Number(s):
EPRI-EA-3760; ON: TI85920711
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English