A comparative study on numerical simulation and prototype observation of thermal effluents from a nuclear power plant

Key Points

• This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of numerical models using prototype observations of thermal effluents.
• Developed a dynamic water temperature model based on real-time meteorological and hydrological conditions.
• Validated the model using multi-source observational data like satellite and aerial measurements.
• Analyzed the impacts of background water temperature and key factors on numerical simulation results.
• Background water temperature significantly affects temperature rises in the modeled area.
• Assuming a uniform background temperature leads to overestimations in summer and underestimations in winter.
• Wind field has a notable impact on the shape and extent of temperature rises.
• Diffusion coefficient and heat exchange coefficient differently influence temperature rise outcomes.