Transient Heat Releases from Offshore Nuclear Plants

A numerical predictive model for plants floating in semi-enclosed breakwater basins has been developed. The model structure is provided by the significant vertical stratification which occurs within the breakwater basin during heat releases. Auxiliary dynamic equations are formulated for the processes of jet entrainment at the discharge, stratified flow through the breakwater openings, selective withdrawal at the submerged intakes and heat dissipation to the atmosphere. Model predictions have been compared with the results of experiments simulating constant heat releases, transient heat releases and variable tidal conditions, respectively, and satisfactory agreement has been found. The predictive model has been used to evaluatee plant and breakwater design options for a proposed floating nuclear plant, the Atlantic Generating Station. The predictions demonstrate the importance of the stratified flow through the breakwater openings as the dominant ultimate heat sink mechanism, with surface heat dissipation playing a secondary role.