Diffusion in building wakes for ground-level releases

Abstract A time-based model for estimating centerline concentrations from ground-level releases in building wakes is developed from theoretical considerations. Variables in the model are distance from the release point, wind speed, atmospheric stability, and projected building area. The model is evaluated using experimental data obtained in experiments made at seven nuclear reactor sites, and is compared with other building-wake diffusion models. The new model is slightly biased with a median ratio between predicted and observed concentrations of 1.07 and accounts for about 55% of the variation in the observed concentrations. Previous models have median ratios between predicted and observed concentrations greater than 2 and account for less than 30% of the observed variation in concentrations.

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