Author(s): Wolfgang Summer; Gerhard H. Jirka; Bernhard H. Schmid
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Once-through cooling systems for the removal of waste heat from thermoelectric power plants remain the most economical solution for waste heat management. However, their environmental impact has to be carefully controlled and mitigated. The Cornell Mixing Zone Expert System (CORMIX) has been developed recently as a reliable tool for both design engineers and regulating authorities to predict the mixing behaviour of heated cooling water as well as other types of discharges into diverse water bodies, including rivers and reservoirs. CORMIX results are compared with observed plumes on large rivers. Under natural flow conditions, observed and predicted plumes are long and narrow and hug the shoreline. The rate of lateral mixing is small. Distinctly different plume shapes can occur whenever the river reach considered is impounded. In that case lateral buoyant spreading is greatly enhanced and other influencing parameters such as wind mixing may become important.
Year: 1993