Example of emergency response model evaluation of studies using the Mathew/Adpic models

Conference · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5845763

Dickerson, M H; Lange, R

This report summarizes model evaluation studies conducted for the MATHEW/ADPIC transport and diffusion models during the past ten years. These models support the US Department of Energy Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability, an emergency response service for atmospheric releases of nuclear material. Field studies involving tracer releases used in these studies cover a broad range of meteorology, terrain and tracer release heights, the three most important aspects of estimating air concentration values resulting from airborne releases of toxic material. Results of these studies show that these models can estimate air concentration values within a factor of 2 20% to 50% of the time and a factor of 5 40% to 80% of the time. As the meterology and terrain become more complex and the release height of the tracer is increased, the accuracy of the model calculations degrades. This band of uncertainty appears to correctly represent the capability of these models at this time. A method for estimating angular uncertainty in the model calculations is described and used to suggest alternative methods for evaluating emergency response models.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5845763
• Report Number(s): UCRL-94388; CONF-860606-2; ON: DE86009400
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500100* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
A CODES
AIR POLLUTION
COMPUTER CODES
DIFFUSION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
M CODES
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLUMES
POLLUTION