Computer Model for Thermal Plume

A program has been developed for use on a digital computer which determines the temperature and velocity profiles in a shallow body of water resulting from the discharge of condenser cooling water from a power plant. The program is based on the theory of turbulent jets and considers mass, momentum and energy exchanges between the jet, the surrounding body of water and the atmosphere. The water temperature, local current, wind speed and shape of the bottom are taken into account along with the parameters describing the jet conditions at the outfall. There are two coefficients in the program relating to vertical and horizontal mixing which require experimental verification. It is believed that this model can be used to define mixing zones and to provide an extrapolation scheme whereby plant data taken under a particular set of conditions can be extended to other circumstances.