Field Measurement and Model Evaluation Program for Assessment of the Environmental Effects of Military Smokes: Evaluation of Atmospheric Wind Field and Dispersion Models for Fog-Oil Smoke Dispersion in Complex Terrain
Abstract
Three models used to predict the wind field and pollutant dispersion in complex terrain are compared with smoke dispersion data acquired as part of the AMADEUS field experiments in 1987 near Red Bluff, California. The models evaluated were WADOCT, HOTMAC/RAPTAD, and RAMS. The data base for model testing encompassed 7 fog-oil smoke releases from ground level under stable meteorological conditions. Smoke concentrations were measured out to 4 km downwind. Time-dependent meteorological and source data were available from these tests to be used as model input. The results showed that the WADOCT model predicted quite well for the first 300 m downwind but then underpredicted the plume concentration by an order of magnitude at distances of 4 km downwind. The HOTMAC/RAPTAD model revealed a similar behavior. The inability of those two models to predict the trajectory of the plume and the observed limited vertical growth of the plume, in the downwind valley, are the likely causes of the underprediction. The RAMS model revealed very poor wind field and dispersion predictions based on the large grid spacing that was required (for this application) in order to make the computer run times manageable.... Smoke, Complex terrain, Dispersion modeling, Computer modeling, RA 3.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA262051
Entities
People
- A. J. Policastro
- D. M. Maloney
- David F. Brown
- W. E. Dunn
Organizations
- Argonne National Laboratory