Comparison of observed and predicted air concentrations downwind of a nuclear power facility

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:6154998

Fields, D E; Miller, C W; Yildiran, M

A project is underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to determine the uncertainty associated with the use of mathematical models for the assessment of health impacts associated with radionuclide releases to the environment. A series of atmospheric diffusion tests involving a gaseous tracer (SF/sub 6/) released from 3 heights at the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) have been documented. The purpose of this paper is to compare the DAEC observations with predictions of a Gaussian plume model that uses the Briggs dispersion parameters and is adjusted for building effects using a method developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for screening purposes. Predicted values of the ground-level, centerline, air concentration normalized for wind speed and total amount of tracer released were made and compared to the reported maximum observed air concentration on arcs located 300 m and 1000 m downwind of the release point. Results support the use of actual release height values, the determination of stability class based on the Pasquill/Gifford methodology or on the standard deviation of wind direction, and the modification of atmospheric dispersion values to include building wake effects using the IAEA screening model approach. 10 references, 11 tables.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA); Turkish Electricity Authority, Ankara
• OSTI ID: 6154998
• Report Number(s): CONF-841059-14; ON: DE85002481
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500300* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIFFUSION
DISPERSIONS
FUNCTIONS
GAUSS FUNCTION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PLUMES
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
RADIOACTIVE CLOUDS
SOLS
WIND