A source term estimation method for a nuclear accident using atmospheric dispersion models. (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Minsik; Ohba, Ryohji; Oura, Masamichi; Kato, Shinsuke; Takigawa, Masayuki; Bieringer, Paul E.; Lauritzen, Bent; Drews, Martin
• Is Part Of: International journal of environment and pollution. Volume 58:Number 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: source term estimation -- STE -- atmospheric dispersion modelling -- wind tunnels -- nuclear accidents -- nuclear power plants -- NPP -- release rate -- radioactive material -- radiation release -- nuclear energy -- nuclear safety -- air pollution; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 363.73
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4352

Abstract

The objective of this study is to develop an operational source term estimation (STE) method applicable for a nuclear accident like the incident that occurred at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station in 2011. The new STE method presented here is based on data from atmospheric dispersion models and short-range observational data around the nuclear power plants. The accuracy of this method is validated with data from a wind tunnel study that involved a tracer gas release from a scaled model experiment at Tokai Daini nuclear power station in Japan. We then use the methodology developed and validated through the effort described in this manuscript to estimate the release rate of radioactive material from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power station.