A Numerical Study for the Air Flow on Complex Terrain
Park, Mi Sun;Jeong, Hae Sun;Jeong, Hyo Joon;Hwang, Won Tae;Kim, Eun Han;Han, Moon Hee;Kim, Hey Suk;
ABSTRACT
The interpretation on the diffusion of radiation contaminants in air is usually to apply a Gaussian plume equation that obtains normal distributions in stable air flow conditions to draw a conservative conclusion. In this study, a numerical study using computational fluid dynamics methods was performed to interpret the air flow pattern and the diffusion of the radiation contaminants at the Wolseong nuclear power plants, and a more detailed solution can be obtained than the Gaussian plume equation, which is difficult to use to simulate complex terrains. The results show that a significant fluctuation of air flow in the terrain appears in the case of a northwester and southeaster because of the mountain located in the northwest and the sea located in the south-east. The northwesterly air flow shows the most unstable flow in the vertical direction when it passes over the terrain of mountain. The stable southeasterly air flow enters into the nuclear power plant from the sea, but it becomes unstable rapidly because of the interference by the building and the terrain. On the other hand, in the case of a northeaster and southwester, a small interruption of air flow is caused by the terrain and wake behind the buildings of nuclear power plants.