Preoperational and Operational Hydrothermal Field Data Acquisition and Analysis

Calibration of mathematical models for thermal plume prediction, design considerations, and regulatory requirements provide further motivation for obtaining field data during both the preoperational and operational status of the plant. An analysis of the parameters which are measured during hydrothermal surveys is given. Field techniques examined include calibration of mathematical models for current prediction from measured tide and current patterns; determining dispersion coefficients; developing synoptic temperature patterns from off-boat measurements; and flushing surveys in coastal waters. The consideration of using operational monitoring of temperature for the evaluation of low induced temperature rises on the order of 1.5°F (0.83°C) yields the conclusion that the operational monitoring should not be aimed at measuring these temperature rises directly but, rather, at verifying that the physical parameters used in the mathematical modeling of hydrothermal conditions were correctly evaluated.