Journal of Radiation Protection and Research

The Korean Association for Radiation Protection (대한방사선방어학회)
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Development of a Dynamic Downscaling Method for Use in Short-Range Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Near Nuclear Power Plants

  • Sang-Hyun Lee (Department of Atmospheric Science, Kongju National University) ;
  • Su-Bin Oh (Research and Development Department, BomIn Science Consulting) ;
  • Chun-Ji Kim (Research and Development Department, BomIn Science Consulting) ;
  • Chun-Sil Jin (Department of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety) ;
  • Hyun-Ha Lee (Department of Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety)
  • Received : 2022.05.06
  • Accepted : 2022.09.06
  • Published : 2023.03.31
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Abstract

Background: High-fidelity meteorological data is a prerequisite for the realistic simulation of atmospheric dispersion of radioactive materials near nuclear power plants (NPPs). However, many meteorological models frequently overestimate near-surface wind speeds, failing to represent local meteorological conditions near NPPs. This study presents a new high-resolution (approximately 1 km) meteorological downscaling method for modeling short-range (< 100 km) atmospheric dispersion of accidental NPP plumes. Materials and Methods: Six considerations from literature reviews have been suggested for a new dynamic downscaling method. The dynamic downscaling method is developed based on the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.6.1, applying high-resolution land-use and topography data. In addition, a new subgrid-scale topographic drag parameterization has been implemented for a realistic representation of the atmospheric surface-layer momentum transfer. Finally, a year-long simulation for the Kori and Wolsong NPPs, located in southeastern coastal areas, has been made for 2016 and evaluated against operational surface meteorological measurements and the NPPs' on-site weather stations. Results and Discussion: The new dynamic downscaling method can represent multiscale atmospheric motions from the synoptic to the boundary-layer scales and produce three-dimensional local meteorological fields near the NPPs with a 1.2 km grid resolution. Comparing the year-long simulation against the measurements showed a salient improvement in simulating near-surface wind fields by reducing the root mean square error of approximately 1 m/s. Furthermore, the improved wind field simulation led to a better agreement in the Eulerian estimate of the local atmospheric dispersion. The new subgrid-scale topographic drag parameterization was essential for improved performance, suggesting the importance of the subgrid-scale momentum interactions in the atmospheric surface layer. Conclusion: A new dynamic downscaling method has been developed to produce high-resolution local meteorological fields around the Kori and Wolsong NPPs, which can be used in short-range atmospheric dispersion modeling near the NPPs.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Nuclear Safety Research Program through the Korea Foundation Of Nuclear Safety (KoFONS) funded by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (No. 1805018).

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