Wind-tunnel experiments on dense gas dispersion

Abstract Laboratory simulation of negatively buoyant emissions into the earth's boundary layer is a valuable predictive tool to describe the motions of potentially hazardous chemicals such as propane, butane, chlorine, liquefied natural gas, freon, etc. In this paper are discussed some of the simulation criteria, special instrumentation, and results of wind-tunnel investigations of dense plume behavior. Such wind-tunnel data can be correlated in a manner that yields an empirical prediction of vapor dispersion from full-scale releases; nonetheless, certain facility and gas specific limitations must be recognized when interpreting an experimental program.