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Mathematical and experimental investigations on dispersion and recirculation of plumes from dry cooling towers at Wyodak Power Plant in Wyoming

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7361934· OSTI ID:7361934
The study presented was conducted (1) to develop a two-dimensional mathematical simulation model for determination of plume dispersion and recirculation from an existing code; (2) to investigate experimentally and mathematically the recirculation and temperature distributions of plumes from two dry cooling towers at the Wyodak Plant in Wyoming; and (3) to elucidate the effects of wind velocity, temperature of heated effluent, adjacent cooling towers and local topography on plume dispersion and recirculation. The mathematical model is based on solution of the steady flow momentum and energy equations using the stream function-vorticity technique. Experiments were conducted in a 10-foot-wide hydraulic flume, using water as a model flow. The study shows that plume recirculation and dispersion are strongly influenced by local topography and nearby structures such as adjacent cooling towers and buildings, as well as by the ambient wind velocity and effluent exit temperature.
Research Organization:
Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, Wash. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
E(45-1)-1830
OSTI ID:
7361934
Report Number(s):
BNWL-1982
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English