NUREG/CR-2260 NUS-3854 RB, R6

Technical Basis for Regulatory

Guide 1.145, "Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential Accident

Consequence Assessments at

Nuclear Power Plants"

Manuscript Completed: July 1981

Date Published: October1981

Prepared by

W. G. Snell, R. W. Jubach

NUS Corporation

4 Research Place

Rockville, MD 20850

Prepared for

Division of Health, Siting and Waste Management

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Washington, D.C. 20555

NRC FIN B7116
NOTICE

This report was sponsored by the Division of Health, Siting, and Waste Management, Office of Nuclear Regulatory

Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission under P.O.

No. NRC-01-81-009. NUS Corporation was not involved in

the generation of the original data or procedures for the

analyses discussed herein. This report represents only a

compilation of data and procedures as obtained, unmodified,

from the NRC staff.
TECHNICAL BASIS FOR REGULATORY GUIDE 1.145, ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION

MODELS FOR POTENTIAL ACCIDENT CONSEQUENCE ASSESSMENTS

AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

W. G. Snell and R. W. Jubach

ABSTRACT

Regulatory Guide 1.145, Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential Accident

Consequence Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants, presents several substantial

changes in the previous methodology of atmospheric dispersion analyses described in Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4. This new methodology discussed in

Regulatory Guide 1.145 includes, 1) the reduction in estimated ground-level

concentrations due to plume meandering during the occurrence of stable atmospheric stability conditions and light wind speeds, and 2) the recognition

that atmospheric dispersion conditions are directionally dependent. As a

result of these developments, the NRC Meteorology Staff conducted a parametric

study to examine the consequences of these changes on previous and future

licensing activities. This parametric study was instrumental in the determination of appropriate probability levels for the risk assessment methodology

discussed in the guide. The technical basis for the new methodology and the

results of the parametric study are documented in this NUREG. This documentation includes the relationship of the new approach to the previous methodology.

i ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title

Abstract

Table of Contents

List of Figures

List of Tables

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

B. Background

II. Determination of Plume Meander Methodology

A. Introduction

B. Test Data

C. Development of Meander Factors

III. Basis and Use of the Equations for Ground Level Releases

IV. Parametric Study Results

A. Purpose

B. Data Used

C. Study Result

1. Effect of Sector Dependency

2. Effect of Meander

3. Selection of Sector Probability Level

4. Overall Impact of Regulatory Guide 1.145 Methodology

5. Conclusions

Page

iii

v

vi

vii

I-2

I-i

I-2

II-1.

11-2

11-3

III-I

IV-1

IV-1

IV-1

IV-2

IV-2

IV-6

I V-9

IV-10

IV-13

References IV-15

v
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure No.

II-'

11-2

11-3

11-4

11-5

11-6

IV-1

Title

Measured Values of Sigma y for Rancho Seco (X) and

EOCR* (0) for Stability Class A.

Measured Values of Sigma y for Rancho Seco (X) and

EOCR (0) for Stability Class D.

Measured Values of Sigma y for Rancho Seco (X) and

EOCR (0) for Stability Class E.

Measured Values of Sigma y for Rancho Seco (X) and

EOCR (0) for Stability Class F.

Measured Values of Sigma y for Rancho Seco (X) and

EOCR (0) for Stability Class G.

Meander Factors for Correction of Pasquill-Gifford

Sigma y Values by Atmospheric Stability Class.

Number of Hours the 5 Percent Relative Concentration

Page

11-4

11-5

11-6

11-7

11-8

I1-11

is Exceeded in the Worst-Sector Using the R.G. 1.145

Methodology With a Variable Site Boundary and No Meander. IV-11

r

*EOCR = Experimental Organic Cooled Reactor.

vi
LIST OF TABLES

Title No. Title Page

IV-1 Parametric Study Site Characterization. IV-3

IV-2 Number of Hours the 5 Percent X/Q Value is Equalled

or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering a Constant

Boundary and No Meander. IV-5

IV-3 Number of Hours the 5 Percent X/Q Value is Equalled

or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering the Actual

Exclusion Area Boundaries and No Meander. IV-7

IV-4 Number of Hours the 5 Percent X/Q Value is Equalled

or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering a Constant

Site Boundary and Meander Included. IV-8

IV-5 Comparison Between the Past and Regulatory Guide

1.145 Methodology. IV-12

IV-6 Percent of the Time the X/Q Calculated by the

Indicated Methodology is Exceeded Over the Actual

Exclusion Area Boundary. IV-14

vii

i. INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose

The development of Regulatory Guide 1.145, Atmospheric Disperison Models for

Potential Accident Consequence Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants (Ref. 1),

was initiated in order to modify the methodology in Regulatory Guides 1.3 and

1.4 (Refs. 2 & 3) for accident assessments to reflect the recent developments

in atmospheric dispersion modeling and more realistic considerations of sitespecific meteorology.

The methodology in Regulatory Guide 1.145 allows for consideration of the

directional variability of wind flow and diffusion conditions at a site, and

also permits consideration of directional variability of Exclusion Area Boundary (EAB) and Low Population Zone (LPZ) distances. In addition, the guide

incorporates the results of recent field tracer tests which indicate that

under certain atmospheric conditions, horizontal dispersion is enhanced due to

lateral plume spreading (i.e., meander effects).

Because the methodology described in the guide represents a substantial change

from the approach described in Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4, the NRC meteorology staff conducted a parametric study in the summer and fall of 1978 to

examine the consequences of these changes on previous and future licensing

activities. This NUREG discusses the basis for and development of these modifications including a parametric study that examines these changes. The purpose of this NUREG is to present information on which Regulatory Guide 1.145

is based and not to provide an indepth analysis of the scientific basis for

any of the methodology proposed by the guide. Only the calculations of 0-2

hour relative concentrations are discussed.

Section B of the Introduction discusses the background of the atmospheric

dispersion methodology for accident assessments in order to compare the Regulatory Guide 1.145 approach with the past methodology. Sections II and III

discuss the development of the meander factor and the equations utilized in

the guide. The parametric study provides insight to changes in methodology

I -1
and the resultant effects on relative concentration calculations. The results

of the parametric study were utilized in determining the probability level

discussed in Section 2.1 of Regulatory Guide 1.145. This study is discussed

in Section IV.

B. Background

The pre-Regulatory Guide 1.145 (hereafter "direction-independent") methodology

to characterize atmospheric dispersion conditions for licensing and siting of

nuclear power plants had been developed through a series of changes to a simple model used in the 1950's and early 1960's. The simple model is described

in TID-14844 (Ref. 4) and referenced in 10 CFR Part 100 (Ref. 5). The meteorological conditions assumed in TID-14844 were a very stable atmosphere and a

light wind speed corresponding closely to Pasquill Type "F" stability (see

Regulatory Guide 1.23, Ref. 6, for a discussion of atmospheric stability classification), and a 1 meter/second wind speed. This stability and wind speed

combination represents an infrequent and conservative atmospheric dispersion

situation. During the 1960's these assumptions were changed to reflect more

reasonable atmospheric dispersion conditions allowing for variations in wind

speed, atmospheric stability, and wind direction.

Safety Guides 3 and 4 (now.Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4), originally issued

in 1970, recommended the use of Pasquill Type "F" stability, a wind speed of 1

meter/second, and an invariant wind direction to represent atmospheric dispersion conditions for time periods less than 8 hours. The selection of these

atmospheric dispersion conditions was based on examination of available meteorological data from a small number of reactor sites representing different

topographical and meteorological regimes (i.e., inland, river valley, and

coastal). The examination indicated that the short-term (0-2 hour) atmospheric dispersion conditions represented by Pasquill Type "F" stability associated with a wind speed equal to 1 meter/second, independent of wind direction, were exceeded an average of about 5 percent of the total time on an

hourly basis. Subsequently, to acknowledge site-to-site variability in meteorological conditions, the "5-percentile criterion" was selected as the probability level of the atmospheric dispersion condition to be considered in a

calculation to demonstrate compliance with the dose objectives specified in 10

CFR Part 100.

I - .2
A relative concentration (X/Q) value which would not be expected to be exceeded more than 5 percent of the time on an annual basis at a minimum EAB

radial distance and at the minimum distance to the outer boundary of the LPZ

was used in this calculation. These X/Q values are functions of wind speed,

atmospheric stability, distance from the effluent source to a potential receptor and lateral and vertical distance from the center of an airborne effluent

plume. The distribution of the effluent plume about the plume centerline is

assumed to be Gaussian, but with additional spreading of the plume in the wake

of plant structures due to mechanical mixing of the atmosphere induced by air

flows over and around these obstructions.

Using the direction-independent methodology, X/Q values are determined by

first calculating individual X/Q values for hourly pairs (or joint frequency

occurrences) of wind speed and atmospheric stability conditions, independent

of direction, at a distance equal to the shortest radial distance between the

reactor and the exclusion area boundary or outer boundary of the LPZ. These

individual X/Q values are then ranked from highest to lowest and their associated frequencies are summed to generate a. cumulative probability distribution

of X/Q values. From this probability distribution, the X/Q value that is

exceeded 5 percent of the time around the entire circumference (exclusion area

or LPZ) is selected as appropriate for the Part 100 evaluation. The theoretical assumption was that this value was to be equalled or exceeded

approximately 5 percent of the total time or 438 hours per year (5% x 8760

hours per year).

However, the frequency of occurrence of this X/Q value at any specific location on the exclusion area boundary is expected to be substantially less than

5 percent of the time annually, because the particular location is less than

the entire circumference of the appropriate boundary. For example, if one

considers a segment of a circular exclusion area boundary which extends only

one fifth of the way around the circumference of the boundary, then the expected frequency of the X/Q value in that segment would be one fifth of 5

I -3
percent or 1 percent (approximately 88 hours) of the total time. This example, of course, does not consider any directional variability of meteorological conditions or variable distances to the boundary. The inclusion of such

considerations might cause the frequency in the example sector to vary about

the 1 percent level, but it would be very unlikely to approach 5 percent. It

is evident then, that if an evaluation is to be made on a directional basis

consistent with past practice for specified locations on a boundary, an appropriate percentile level for each direction segment which is much less than

5 percent must be selected.

I -4
II. DETERMINATION OF PLUME MEANDER METHODOLOGY

A. Introduction

The basic atmospheric dispersion model and methodology discussed in Section

I.B have been developed for calculating relative concentrations (X/Q) to be

used in assessments of the consequence of accidental releases from nuclear

power plants (see Ref. 7). This model assumes that the plume spread has a

Gaussian distribution in both the horizontal and vertical and, therefore,

utilizes the standard deviations of plume concentration distribution in the

horizontal (a ) and vertical (az). Applications of this model normally

utilize the traditional Pasquill-Gifford curves for a and o (Ref. 7) for

estimating concentrations for release periods of nominally one hour. For

ground-level releases the model calculates the highest effluent concentrations

under low wind speed and stable atmospheric conditions. The Pasquill-Gifford

dispersion coefficients, (ay and a z) are selected independent of wind

speed and are based on diffusion test data for release periods of much less

than one hour.

Quantitative atmospheric tracer studies representing ground level releases

without the effects of buildings have been performed at the River Bend, Three

Mile Island and Clinch River power reactor sites (Refs. 8-10). These tests

have shown that during stable (E, F, and G) atmospheric conditions, as defined

by AT criteria in Regulatory Guide 1.23, when the wind speed is light, measured effluent concentrations are usually substantially lower than those predicted by the use of the traditional Pasquill-Gifford prediction curves of

lateral and vertical plume spread. These reduced concentrations are due primarily to enhanced horizontal spreading of the plume as it meanders over a

large area which occasionally may exceed a 180 degree arc. This meandering of

the plume produces ay values that are much larger than have been assumed for

these conditions.

Since these tracer studies represented only near ground level, point source

releases without the effects of release elevation and building influences, and

were carried out in terrain exhibiting characteristics unique to each site,

they were not considered appropriate for generic application to all nuclear

power reactor sites.

II - 1
To obtain data representative of releases at constructed nuclear power plants,

the NRC and NOAA jointly funded atmospheric duffusion tests in the fall of

1975 at the Rancho Seco nuclear facility in California (Ref. 11). Data from

these tests, along with consideration of the results already generated by past

diffusion tests, were used to determine the combined effects of meander and

building wake on values of X/Q. Analyses of these tests, along with consideration of the results already generated by past diffusion tests, provide the

meander factors discussed later in this section applicable during light wind,

relatively stable atmospheric stability conditions.

For releases through vents or other building penetrations, the meander factor

allows credit for the combined effects of plume meander and building wake. As

the effects of meander diminish with increasing wind speed and decreasing

stability, the effects of building wake become more dominant. For elevated

releases, the dispersion assessment remains unchanged because the data collected to date does not confirm the existence of meander at elevations greater

than 60m. Because enhanced plume dispersion due to meandering appears to be

most prevalent during periods of low wind speed and stable atmospheric conditions, which are the same conditions that give the highest concentrations for

ground-level releases, the NRC has incorporated plume meander into the model

in an effort to provide more realistic assessments of atmospheric dispersion.

B. Test Data

A quantitative assessment of effects of plume meander at an actual nuclear

power plant site was made, utilizing data from the Rancho Seco tests. Atmospheric stability during these tests was determined from the NRC AT classification scheme (Ref. 6). No test data were available for the B or C atmospheric

stability classes. Samplers were located in arcs with radii of 100, 200, 400,

and 800 meters from the reactor containment vessel. Data from all the available tests were utilized in the analysis. More detail on the field program is

provided in Reference 11.

In addition to the tests conducted at Rancho Seco, similar tests were jointly

funded by NOAA and the NRC and performed at the Experimental Organic Cooled

Reactor (EOCR) test reactor building complex at the Idaho National Engineering

Laboratory in Idaho in 1975 and 1976 (Ref. 12). Although data from of the

EOCR

II - 2
Lests were not available to be included in the original assessment of plume

meander, they have since become available and have been plotted with the Rancho Seco data (Figures II-i through 11-5). The results of the EOCR tests were

very similar to those of Rancho Seco.

The NRC analysis of the results of the Rancho Seco tests focused on the measured values of the horizontal dispersion coefficient, ay* Measurements of

the vertical dispersion coefficient, az, were not made. The measured values

of a y from the tests that were used in the NRC analysis were calculated

using the second moment method. An important consideration was that atmospheric stability was based on the NRC AT classification scheme as per Regulatory Guide 1.23. Use of other classification schemes may not provide similar

results in analysis of these data relative to NRC assessments.

C. Development of the Meander Factors

The values of ay that were obtained from the Rancho Seco and EOCR studies

are shown by atmospheric stability class in Figures II-i through 11-5. Also

shown are the Pasquill-Gifford ay curves for each stability class and a ay

curve enhanced by an appropriate multiplier to give a lower envelope to the

test results. Because the results of this evaluation were to be used in

safety assessments of nuclear power plant design and in siting evaluations for

sites located in various topographical and meteorological regimes, a lower

envelope of this measured test data was selected as a reasonably conservative

approach for estimating increased horizontal dispersion. Selection of the

lower envelope curve was subjective. Various whole number multipliers were

examined and the curve which most appropriately, considering the objective in

determining these meander factors, enveloped the data was selected. This

lower envelope multiplier to the Pasquill-Gifford a was then selected as Y

the meander factor applicable to the appropriate atmospheric stability class.

As indicated in Figure II-i, no increase in the Pasquill-Gifford a value is Y

applicable for A stability because the a curve is consistent with the lower

Y envelope.

II - 3
A -STABILITY

1000

500

Uo

UY

mL

W

V200

100

CD

C') 50

20

10

100 200 500 1000

DISTANCE (METERS)

FIGURE II-i. Measured Values of Sigma y for

Rancho Seco (X) and EOCR (0)

for Stability Class A.

II-4
D STABILITY

1000

500

200

U-)

77

I

100 200 500 1000

DISTANCE (METERS)

FIGURE 11-2. Measured Values of Sigma y for

Ranoho Seco (X) and EOCR (0)

for Stability Class D.

11-5
E STABILITY

1000

500

U)

LOJ

200

100

50

20

10

100 200 500 1000

DISTANCE (METERS)

FIGURE 11-3. Measured Values of Sigma y for

Ranoho Seco (X) and EOCR (0)

For Stability Class E.

11-6
F STABILITY

1000.

500

U)

U)

200

100

50

20 -

10-

100 200 500 1000

DISTANCE (METERS)

FIGURE 11-4. Measured Values of Sigma y for

Rancho Seco (X) and EOCR (0)

for Stability Class F.

11-7
G STABILITY

1000

500

Ui)

Lii

200

100

50

03CD-.

U)

20

10

100 200 500 1000

DISTAN\CE (METERS)

FIGURE 11-5. Measured Values of Sigma y for

Rancho Seco (X) and EOCR (0)

for Stability Closs G.

II-8
The NRC analysis of the Rancho Seco data was accomplished specifically for

Regulatory Guide 1.145 and application to the design and siting of nuclear

power plants. Application of the meander factors developed by the NRC to

other assessments should not be accomplished without a thorough examination of

all test data provided in References 11 and 12.

At this point two limiting criteria were imposed on the application of the

meander factors. Since the Rancho Seco measurements were limited to a distance of 800m from the release point, it was not deemed appropriate to apply

any values for distances beyond this. Therefore, credit for additional plume

spread from meander would only be applied to a downwind distance of 800m from

the release point. Beyond 800m, additional credit would not be allowed.

However, any credit received up to 800m would be retained. To account for

this, the following equations were adopted.

Xy = Ma for distances less than or equal to 800 m

yy

y =(M-1)OySO0m] + cy for distances greater than 800 m

where:

XIy is lateral plume spread with meander and building wake

effects, meters,

a is lateral, plume spread based on Pasquill-Gifford,

meters,

ay8wOm is ay at a distance of 800m, meters, and

M is the meander factor, dimensionless.

Analysis of the Rancho Seco and other tests indicated that meander is most

prevalent during D, E, F, and G stability conditions accompanied by low wind

speeds. A wind speed of 2.0 meters/second was selected as a limit below which

full meander credit could be received and a speed of 6.0 meters/second was

selected as a limit above which no additional credit could be received. Between these two values the meander factor varies logarithmically from full

credit at 2.0 meters/second to no credit at 6.0 meters/second. The selection

of these wind speeds was based on the many different atmospheric dispersion

II - 9
studies performed over the past several decades (e.g., Prairie Grass (Ref.

13), Green Glow (Ref. 14), and others mentioned previously). A graph of the

meander factors developed from this analysis versus wind speed can be found in

Figure 11-6.

II - 10
10

6

ICD,

ILL

CD

4

3

2

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 10

WINDSPEED (M/SEC)

FIGURE 11-6. Meander Factors for Correction of

Pasquill-Gifford Sigma y Values by

Atmospheric Stability Class.

II-11

Ill. BASIS AND USE OF THE EQUATIONS FOR GROUND-LEVEL RELEASES

Regulatory Guide 1.145 incorporated the use of three principal equations for

calculating ground-level relative concentrations at the plume center line.

These equations, referred to in the guide as Equations 1, 2 and 3, are as

follows:

X/Q = 1 (1)

ulO(1ay az+A/2)

X/Q = 1 (2) ulO0 3 T a y az

X/Q = 1 (3)

u10 ITIy

where

X/Q is relative concentration, sec/m 3 ,

7T is 3.14159,

ulO is windspeed at 10 meters above plant grade, m/sec,

ay is lateral plume spread, a function of atmospheric stability

and distance, meters,

z is vertical plume spread, a function of atmospheric stability

and distance, meters,

iy is lateral plume spread with meander and building wake effects, (see Section II.C), meters, and,

A is the smallest vertical-plane cross-sectional area of the

reactor building, square meters.

The bases for Equations 1 and 2 can be found in Meteorology and Atomic Energy1968, (Ref. 7) and Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4 (Refs. 2 and 3). The factor

A/2 in Equation 1 and the factor 3 in Equation 2 are included to give additional credit for turbulent mixing in the wake of buildings and structures.

The A/2 term in Equation 1 is better known as the cA term with c being conservatively assigned a value of 0.5. The factor of 3 in Equation 2 is used as

III - 1
upper limit to the amount of credit that can be obtained from the building

wake effect. This is the basis for choosing the higher value between Equations 1 and 2. Credit is given for building wake effects based on Equation 1

until it reaches the upper limit determined by Equation 2, then the value from

Equation 2 is used.

Equation 3 was formulated based on inclusion of the meander factor which included credit for building influences. (See Section II.) By comparing the

higher value derived from Equations 1 and 2 with the value from Equation 3 and

picking the lower of the two values, additional credit may be received for

enhanced plume spreading under low wind speed and stable atmospheric conditions as well as for building wake effects. For further information, Appendix

A of Regulatory Guide 1.145 contains several examples of the selective use of

Equations 1, 2 and 3 under various wind speed and stability conditions.

The dispersion equations in the guide for elevated releases are essentially

the same as discussed in Meteorology and Atomic Energy and Regulatory Guide

1.3. Since these equations or their use does not entail significant changes

from past practice (except for the direction dependent applications), they are

not discussed here. For further information, refer to Regulatory Guide 1.145.

III - 2
IV. PARAMETRIC STUDY RESULTS

A. Purpose

As discussed in the Introduction of this report, the parametric study was

accomplished in order to examine the effects of the Regulatory Guide 1.145

accident analysis dispersion methodology relative to the direction-independent

methodology. The Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodology utilizes the critical

sector relative concentration (X/Q) approach in which the effects of the directional dependence of boundary distances, wind direction frequencies, and

frequencies of atmospheric stability conditions are considered. The guide

also incorporates credit for horizontal diffusion by considering the effects

of plume meander. The critical sector refers to the selection of X/Q values

for the determination of compliance with the dose guidelines contained in

1OCFR Part 100. Regulatory Guide 1.145 should be referred to for additional

guidance. Because this approach is a marked departure from the directionindependent method, the effects of each of the three features of the model

(i.e., direction-dependent consideration, a variable exclusion distance as a

function of direction, and meander), as well as the complete Regulatory Guide

1.145 approach, were examined in the parametric study. The basis for all the

analyses in the parametric study was to determine the effect on the directionindependent 5 percent X/Q value used for accident consequence assessments.

This approach puts the effect of the Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodology in

perspective relative to the direction-independent method.

B. Data Used

Data that were used for the parametric study were the most recently available

meteorological data from 18* nuclear power plant sites which were representative of the meteorological and topographical regimes encountered during the

various licensing activities. All sites utilized had meteorological programs

*Initially, 18 sites were examined in detail while three additional sites were

evaluated later. The three additional sites were not studied to the extent of

the original 18; most figures and tables provided in this NUREG are discussed

or based on 18 sites.

IV - I
consistent with the 1972 version of Regulatory Guide 1.23 Onsite Meteorological Programs. The data were obtained in the form of joint frequencies of wind

direction, wind speed, and atmospheric stability as provided on the plant

docket with the NRC. Atmospheric stability was based on vertical temperature

differential (AT) and wind speed and wind direction were collected at a nominal height of 10 meters. Values of relative concentrations (X/Q) calculated

for the study are all for ground-level releases since this represents the vast

majority of licensing assessments. Table IV-1 provides the meteorological/

topographical regime of each site examined. The reference numbers on this

table will be utilized throughout this section. Boundary distances utilized

in various aspects of the study were actual distances for a given site.

C. Study Results

1. Effect of Sector Dependency

Atmospheric diffusion conditions are directionally dependent for a particular

location, with some wind direction flows associated with poor diffusion and

others with relatively good diffusion. The differences in atmospheric diffusion as a function of wind direction can be especially prominent at sites on

the shores of large bodies of water (e.g., lakes and oceans) and in deep river

valleys. Knowledge of these directionally-dependent conditions plus consideration of variable Exclusion Area Boundary (EAB) or Low Population Zone (LPZ)

distances results in a more realistic evaluation. The Regulatory Guide 1.145

methodology considers the directional variability of diffusion conditions and

boundary distances by dividing the boundaries into 16 22.5-degree sectors.

Although wind direction data are recorded in 22.5-degree sectors, the

direction-independent methodology did not consider this information. Additionally, the direction-independent methodology utilized circular boundaries

with a radius equal to the minimum distance of the actual boundary, as opposed

to the actual boundary distances. The first part of the parametric study was

to examine the effect of the Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodology relative to

the direction-independent approach by examining the relationship of the two

methods for sector dependency.

IV - 2
TABLE IV-1

Parametric Study Site Characterization

Site Site Characteristics

1 Midwest (Flat)

2 Southeast (Valley)

3 Southeast (Rolling Hills)

4 Midwest (Flat) 5 East-Central (Valley)

6 South (Coastal) 7 Midwest (Valley)

8 Midwest (Flat)

9 East (Valley)

10 Southeast (Rolling Hills)

11 Southeast (Rolling Hills)

12 Southeast (Rolling Hills)

13 Southeast (Rolling Hills)

14 Northeast (Valley)

15 Southeast (Coastal)

16 Midwest (Coastal)

17 Northeast (Coastal)

18 Southeast (Coastal)

19 Midwest (Coastal)

20 East (Valley)

21 East (Valley)

IV-3
it atmospheric dispersion conditions (represented by stability and wind speed

pairings) and boundary distances are identical in each of 16 22.5-degree wind

direction sectors, and if the wind direction frequencies are identical in each

of the 16 directions (i.e., 100%/16 or 6.25%), then the calculated directionindependent 5 percent X/Q value (see Section I.B) would be equalled or exceeded about 27 hours in each sector (i.e., 5% x 8760 hours per year/16).

Since atmospheric dispersion conditions and wind direction frequencies can

vary considerably from sector to sector, the direction-independent 5 percent

X/Q value is equalled or exceeded a different number of hours in each sector.

The total number of hours for all sectors is still 438 (5% x 8760 hours per

year). The likelihood that the direction-independent 5 percent X/Q value

would be equalled or exceeded in a specified sector would be less than 5 percent, and usually much less than 5 percent of the total time, averaging 27

hours in each sector (approximately 0.31%).

Table IV-2 shows the distribution of the number of hours per year that X/Q

values exceed the direction-independent 5 percent X/Q value in each of 16

sectors for the 18 sites, considering only the variation of diffusion conditions by direction (i.e., a circular boundary). Meander is not included. For

example, an analysis of 18 of the sites (Table IV-2) shows that the maximum

number of hours per year the direction-independent 5 percent X/Q value was

exceeded in a specific direction was 158 hours (158/8760, 1.8% of the total

time) at Site 6. The minimum number of hours per year the directionindependent 5 percent X/Q value was exceeded in a specific direction was zero

hours also at Site 6. This is indicative of a very high frequency of winds in

those sectors with the maximum number of hours and a corresponding low frequency in those sectors with the minimum number of hours. The greater the

. number of hours the 5 percent value is exceeded, the more frequently it occurs, and consequently, the poorer the diffusion conditions are. Note that

the average per sector for each site is about 27 hours and the average around

the site is nearly 5% x 8760, or 438 hours.

IV - 4
Table IV-2. Number of Hours the 5 Percent X/Q Value is Equalled or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering a Constant

Boundary and No Meander.

Site

Direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

N

NN E

N E

ENE

E

ESE

S E

SSE

S

SSW

SW

WSW

W

WNW

NW

N NW

44

39

37

32

31

24

27

34

45

24

15

12.

16

20

23

28

31

26

25

34

39

73

30

23

13

15

19

13

15

32

22

40

15 48 19

12 3 16

12 4 27

3 40 32

4 28 16

5 22 10

7 23 14

13 18 18

17 21 29

29 22 40

101 38 75

141 33 71

34 33 43

17 34 27

11 32 17

14 28 16

135 22

39 10

20 24

10 14

3 14

0 20

0 12

0 21

0 22

0 15

1 26

1 17

2 26

14 50

71 86

158 49

454 428

28 27

41 25 21

26 27 28

38 30 28

26 28 41

27 32 16

22 25 21

20 14 31

20 26 28

31 24 31

23 17 40

44 17 39

21 25 35

21 30 23

24 37 22

31 39 18

31 28 21

446 424 443

28 27 28

18 8 15 17 16 72 31

28 15 12 19 30 23 63

36 31 17 15 23 19 77

25 71 20 10 42 21 47

34 113 29 20 36 18 37

30 88 21 39 44 16 11

36 28 28 54 43 15 9

26 13 19 57 39 12 25

28 11 35 68 21 12 19

25 8 29 79 12 9 13

23 7 50 57 17 10 11

20 9 55 11 8 17 8

29 6 56 3 27 45 12

25 7 27 1 22 59 14

22 6 15 4 27 53 20

20 8 14 5 26 54 20

425 429 442 459 433 455 417

26 27 28 29 27 28 26

15

12

18

30

46

43

58

92

43

24

10

14

7

11

5

7

435

27

Total

Average

451 450 435 427 470

28 28 27 27 29

Average

440

27.5

U,
Consideration of a variable EAB or LPZ as a function of direction will always

result in equal or lower calculated X/Q values for ground-level releases compared to the direction-independent methodology. This is because circular

boundaries were chosen as the minimum boundary distance and any increase in

distance to account for the actual boundary will result in lower values since,

for ground-level releases, X/Q decreases with distance. To examine this effect, the number of hours the direction-independent 5 percent value is

equalled or exceeded by sector with a variable boundary was calculated. This

is shown in Table IV-3. For this and other evaluations in the parametric

study involving variable boundaries, over-water boundaries at coastal sites

were assigned a distance equal to the shortest overland boundary distance, and

actual site boundary distances were used to define the EAB boundary over land.

Table IV-3 shows that the decrease in the number of hours the directionindependent 5th percentile value is equalled or exceeded (indicative of a

larger number of lower X/Q values in the distribution) can be significant for

some sectors at some sites. The maximum overall decrease was 281 hours at

Site 3. No change occured at Site 14 because the actual boundary was defined

as circular. On the average, the decrease was 127 hours around the site and

7.5 hours for a sector.

This portion of the study, then, shows the variability of diffusion conditions

by sector (Table IV-2), with some wind directions being associated with poorer

diffusion conditions and the expected changes due to the inclusion of a variable boundary (Table IV-3). Both results are reflected in the X/Q value.

2. Effect of Meander

Atmospheric diffusion tests have shown that short-term X/Q values may be reduced substantially due to lateral plume meander. The NRC analysis of these

tests has resulted in the development of conservative reduction factors for

X/Q values to describe the effect of meander.(See Section II). Consideration

of meander alone resulted in a decrease in the selected X/Q. value by about a

factor of two, varying between about 1.5 and 2.5 for the 18 sites. Table IV-4

gives the number of hours that the direction-independent 5 percent X/Q value

IV - 6
Table IV-3. Number of Hours The 5 Percent X/Q Value is Equalled or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering The Actual

Exclusion Area Boundaries and No Meander.

Site

Direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

N 44 21 15 28 4 135 1 9 15 19 17 6 14 17 15 72 31 15

NNE 34 21 13 0 5 39 0 10 26 24 21 6 11 19 30 23 63 12

NE 35 27 10 0 9 20 1 17 27 17 23 17 10 1523 14 77 11

ENE 30 34 1 40 9 10 14 8 28 24 22 69 12 1042 10 47 30

E 24 38 2 25 6 3 14 9 33 10 33 113 16 20 36 3 37 46

ESE 21 73 2 20 4 0 17 10 24 24 22 85 5 39 44 4 11 43

SE 19 7 3 19 8 0 3 14 18 13 25 20 11 54 42 5 6 58

SSE 29 4 9 15 12 0 7 18 14 10 22 6 6 57 36 10 21 92

S 41 3 11 17 25 0 9 28 9 11 24 5 13 68 20 7 14 43

SSW 21 5 3 18 36 0 3 21 8 11 22 4 2 79 12 9 10 17

SW 6 8 8 14 75 1 9 24 15 14 22 3 6 57 17 10 8 8

WSW 6 5 34 13 60 1 14 16 4 24 30 5 31 11 8 17 6 12

W 9 6 18 1 17 0 26 9 7 15 28 3 36 3 26 45 6 6

WMW 15 12 8 19 10 1 35 9 8 14 24 4 15 1 22 59 11 11

NW 20 15 4 11 3 6 43 10 6 18 21 4 7 4 26 53 13 6

NNW 29 27 13 20 4 59 3 4 23 20 19 6 14 5 25 54 20 7 Average

Total 383 306 154 260 287 275 199 216 265 268 375 356 209 459 424 395 381 417 313

Average 24 19 10 16 18 17 12 14 17 17 23 22 13 29 27 25 24 26 20.0
Table IV-4. Number of Hours the 5 Percent XIQ Value is Equalled or Exceeded in Each Sector Considering a Constant

Site Boundary and Meander Included.

Si te

Direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

N

NNE

NE

ENE

E

ESE

SE

SSE

S

SSW

SW

WSW

W

W NW

NW

N NW

16

13

14

15

13

9

11

12

16

8

4

4

5

6

8

10

9 5

8 5

7 4

10 1

10 1

21 5

9 2

7 6

4 8

4 13

6 41

4 56

5 14

10 7

7 4

11 6

16

0

0

10

9

7

7

6

5

3

8

4

8

3

9

6

5

8

7

4

2

4

4

9

8

16

16

12

8

3

5

11 9 0 11

2 4 0 14

2 12 1 12

2 7 0 14

0 7 1 11

0 10 0 12

o 5 1 9

0 10 0 11

o 28 1 12

o 7 1 6

0 13 4 7

0 8 3 9

0 13 2 13

0 23 2 11

5 46 1 14

15 21 1 9

10 11 12

4 8 1

10 12 2

10 5 4

12 13 8

5 17 12

7 16 10

10 16 4

8 11 2

9 10 '2

12 10 1

11 8 1

10 7 1

6 11 1

5 10 1

5 8 1

6 7 1

130 169 52

8 11 3

13 14 15 16 17 18

2

2

3

4

5

4

5

3

6

5

9

8

8

4

3

2

2 7 12

2 16 0

1 14 8

2 19 8

1 16 6

5 24 7

4 23 5

7 17 5

5 10 4

6 5 6

6 8 6

0 4 8

0 13 15

0 11 13

0 13 12

0 12 10

21 4

19 4

16 6

7 13

11 21

5 20

13 27

13 42

12 19

9 10

8 5

6 6

8 3

12 5

14 2

21 2 Average

195 189 129

12 12 8.0

Total

Average

164 132 177

10 8 11

100 117 37 223 18 175

6 7 2 14 1 11

73 41 212 125

5 3 13 8
is exceeded at each of the 18 sites due to meander alone (i.e., a circular

boundary). Consideration of meander significantly decreases the calculated

X/Q value. The number of hours the direction-independent 5 percent value was

equalled or exceeded decreased from the comparable analysis in Table IV-2 by

an average for all sites of 311 hours or 19.5 hours per sector. It is also

apparent that the magnitude of the effect of meander is site and direction

dependent.

3. Selection of the Sector Probability Level

To consider the variability of atmospheric dispersion conditions and wind

direction frequencies among 16 sectors from site to site in a consistent manner, the X/Q value exceeded for a specified fraction of the time in each sector should be considered. Since the direction-independent approach utilizes a

constant probability (5 percent) that is equalled or exceeded around the entire site, this can be used as a point of departure for selecting a constant

level of probability for considering X/Q values in each of the 16 directional

sectors. This would result in the determination of 16 X/Q values (one in each

sector) which are exceeded no more than some percentage of the total time in

each sector. The highest of these 16 X/Q values can then be selected for

determining compliance with 10 CFR Part 100. This procedure ensures that all

sites are evaluated on a consistent probabilistic basis.

Because the variable boundary distance concept, like the directional concept,

is a conceptual change from the direction-independent methodology, both these

changes will have to be considered in the selection of a "percentage of the

total time" that will be used to determine the controlling X/Q value in each

sector. However, since meander is credit to be given to better represent the

physical characteristics of dispersion and not a conceptual change, it is not

used for this determination.

To obtain a controlling sector percentile value consistent with the directionindependent 5 percent value for the site, the number of hours the 5 percent

X/Q value is exceeded in each of the 16 sectors for 18 of the sites, including

IV - 9
variable site boundaries (Table IV-3) was examined. From these data the sector at each site that the direction-independent 5 percent X/Q value was exceeded the greatest number of hours was chosen as the worst sector and plotted

in Figure IV-l. Figure IV-1 shows that,. on the average (geometric mean), the

direction-independent 5 percent X/Q is equalled or exceeded approximately 0.6

percent (about 53 hours) of the total time in the worst sector. Because there

is a large spread in the data, it was determined that the 0.5 percentile level

(about 44 hours) in the Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodology would be reasonably

consistent with the 5 percent value in the direction-independent approach

while not implying more refinement in the selection process than what existed.

This means the 0.5 percent X/Q value is selected from each of the 16 sectors,

and the highest of these (i.e., the critical sector) is used to determine

compliance with 10 CFR Part 100.

However, in unusual siting situations it is possible that a X/Q value determined by the Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodology may not be sufficiently

conservative. To avoid this, a 5 percent overall site (based on total observations) X/Q value is also calculated considering variable site boundaries and

meander. If this X/Q value is greater than the 0.5 percent sector X/Q value,

than it is used to represent the diffusion conditions at the site.

4. Overall Impact of the Regulatory Guide 1.145 Methodology

Table IV-5 shows a comparison of X/Q values selected using the directionindependent approach and the complete Regulatory Guide 1.145 methodologies

(i.e., with direction dependency, variable boundaries, and meander). For the

Regulatory Guide 1.145 approach, the highest X/Q value for all directions,

based on the 0.5 percent value, is presented in this table. The Regulatory

Guide 1.145 approach produced X/Q values which were about 70% of those produced by the direction-independent approach. For the 21 sites, the magnitude

of the decrease ranged from of a factor of 1.1 to a factor of 2.2 with an

average decrease of 1.4. At only one site, did the selected X/Q value increase (by about a factor of 1.3).

IV - 10
PERCENT OF TOTAL TIME

.25 .50 .75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.70

I I I I I

R F RF

R

V

FFF

V

C

Geometr

(53Hr-s

CRVCV C R C

0 Mean

,r- 0. 6%)

H--

H

21

0! 0 59 [ 10I 11 1 0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 I I

130 140 150

HOURS

FIGURE IV-1. Number- of Hour-a the 5 Per-cent

Relative Concentr-ation is

Exceeded in the Wor-st SectorUsing the R.G.. 145 Methodology

With a Var-iable Site Boundar-y

and No Meander-. Data ar-e

Plotted as Site Types.

Key Site Type

C Coastal

F Flat

R Rolling

V Valley
Comparison Between

Exclusion Area Boundary

Past Model

Site (5% X/Q)

Table IV-5

the Past and Regulatory Guide

Regulatory Guide 1.145 Model

Critical Sector X/Q

1.145 Methodology

Ratio (Past/R.G. 1.145)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

4.2

1.6

4.3

2.6

1.5

1.4

6.2

1.8

1.1

1.2

2.2

1.4

1.4

9.9

1.7

4.2

9.6

6.6

9.6

8.2

1.9

-4*

-3-3

-4

-3

-3

-3

-4

-3

-3

-4

-3

-3

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-3

2.9

1.4

2.2

1.6

1.2

1.2

5.2

1.3

6.5

5.7

1.8

1.1

6.4

7.1

1.6

3.4

8.7

8.8

7.9

6.1

1.7

-4

-3

-3

-4

-3

-3

-3

-4

-4

-4

-4

-3

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-4

-3

1.4

1.1

1.9

1.6

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.4

1.7

2.1

1.2

1.3

2.2

1.4

1.1

1.2

1.1

0.7

1.2

1.3

1.1

Average 1.4

*X/Q = 4.2 x 10-4 sec/m3

IV-12
lable IV-6 presents a comparison of the percent of the time the directionindependent approach and the Regulatory Guide 1.145 approach X/Q values are

exceeded at the actual EAB. Note that the X/Q value selected by the Regulatory Guide 1.145 approach for each site is actually exceeded between 0.4 percent and 3.4 percent of the time around the entire site, averaging about 1.8

percent for all 18 sites. For comparison, the direction-independent 5 percent

X/Q, calculated at an assumed circular exclusion area boundary, is actually

exceeded less than 5 percent of the time around the actual EAB, averaging

about 3.6 percent for the 18 sites examined.

5. Conclusions

The Regulatory Guide 1.145 approach permits consideration of the actual variations of atmospheric dispersion conditions and wind frequencies as a function

of direction from the plant, as well as allowing for more complete utilization

of site shape. This methodology also incorporates the results of recent atmospheric diffusion tests to better define dispersion during low wind speed

conditions. The approach is a significant improvement in the evaluation of

atmospheric dispersion characteristics at reactor sites. The methodology also

allows for a more consistent evaluation from site to site by ensuring that the

X/Q value used for evaluating plant design will be equalled or exceeded no

more than 0.5 percent of the time (44 hours/year) at any point around the

exclusion area boundary for any reactor site.

IV - 13
Table IV-6

Percent of the Time the X/Q Calculated by the Indicated Methodology

is Exceeded Over the Actual Exclusion Area Boundary

Si te

Past Approach

(5% X/Q)

Regulatory Guide 1.145

(0.5% maximum sector)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

4.4

3.5

1.7

3.0

3.3

3.1

2.3

3.3

3.0

3.0

4.2

4.0

2.4

5.0*

4.8

4.5

4.4

4.8

2.7

1.3

1.7

2.1

1.2

0.4

1.2

1.0

2.4

3.4

2.6

0.9

2.0

1.8

2.6

1.9

2.2

1.4

Average 3.6 1.8

*Circular Boundary

IV-14
REFERENCES

1. Regulatory Guide 1.145, "Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential

Accident Consequence Assessments at Nuclear Power Plants," USNRC, Issued

for Comment, August 1979.

2. Regulatory Guide 1.3, "Assumptions Used for Evaluating the Potential

Radiological Consequences of a Loss of Coolant Accident for Boiling Water

Reactors," USNRC, Rev. 2, June 1974.

3. Regulatory Guide 1.4, "Assumptions Used for Evaluating the Potential

Radiological Consequences of a Loss of Coolant Accident for Pressurized

Water Reactors," USNRC, Rev. 2, June 1974.

4. DiNunno, J.J., et al., "Calculation of Distance Factors for Power and

Test Reactor Sites," Technical Information Document 14844, USAEC, March

23, 1962.

5. "Code of Federal Regulations," Title 10-Energy, Part 100.

6. Regulatory Guide 1.23, "Onsite Meteorological Programs," USNRC.

7. Gifford, F.A., Jr., "An Outline of Theories of Diffusion in the Lower

Layers of the Atmosphere," Chapter 3 in Meteorology and Atomic Energy -

1968, (D.H. Slade, Ed.)

8. Gulf States Utilities Company, Dispersion of Tracer Gas at the Proposed

River Bend Nucleaer Power Station, Preliminary Safety Analysis Report,

Amendment 24, Dockets 50-458 and 50-459, 1974.

9. Metropolitan Edison Company, Atmospheric Diffusion Experiments with SF6

Tracer Gas at Three Mile Island Nuclear Station Under Low Wind Speed

Inversion Conditions, Final Safety Analysis Report, Amendment 24, Docket

50-289, 1972.

10. Project Management Corporation, Clinch River Breeder Reactor Plant Environmental Report, 1975.

IV - 15
REFERENCES (continued)

11. Start, G.E., et al., Rancho Seco Building Wake Effects on Atmospheric

Diffusion, NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL ARL-69, November 1977.

12. Start, G.E., et al., EOCR Building Wake Effects on Atmoshperic Diffusion, NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL ARL-91, November 1980.

13. Cramer, H.E., "A Practical Method For Estimating the Dispersal of Atmospheric Contaminants," Proceedings of the First National Conference on

Applied Meteorology, pp. C-33 to C-55, American Meteorological Society,

Hardford, Conn., October 1957.

14. Fuquay, J., C.L. Simpson, and W.T. Hinds, "Predicton of Environmental

Exposures from Sources Near the Ground Based on Hanford Experimental

Data," J. Appl. Meteorology, 3(6):761-770.

IV - 16
NRC FORM 335 1. REPORT NUMBER (Assignedby DOC)

(777) U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION NUREG/CR-2260

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET NUS-3854 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE (Add Volume No., if ppropriare) 2. (Leave blank)

Technical Basis for Regulatory Guide 1.145, Atmospheric

Dispersion Models for Potential Accident Consequence 3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.

Assessmentsat Nuclear Power Plants

7. AUTHOR(S) 5. DATE REPORT COMPLETED

MONTH YEAR

W. G. Snell and R. W.1Jubach .1Ql1 y 1

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS (Include Zip Code) DATE REPORT ISSUED

NUS Corporation MONTH YEAR

4 Research Place October 1981

Rockville, Maryland 20850 6. (Leave blank)

B. (Leave blank)

12. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS (Include Zip Code) 10. PROJECT:TASK'WORK UNIT NO.

Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Division of Health, Siting and Waste Management 11. CONTRACT NO.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission FIN B7116

Washington, DC 20555

13. TYPE OF REPORT PE R I OD COV E RE D (Inclusive dares)

NUREG/CR

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. (Leave blank)

16. ABSTRACT 1200 words or less)

Regulatory Guide 1.145, Atmospheric Dispersion Models for Potential Accident

Consequence Assessmentsat Nuclear Power Plants, presents several substantial

changes in the previous methodology of atmospheric dispersion analyses described in

Regulatory Guides 1.3 and 1.4. This new methodology discussed in Regulatory Guide

1.145 includes, 1) the reduction in estimated ground-level concentrations due to

plume meandering during the occurrence of stable atmospheric stability conditions and

light wind speeds, and 2) the recognition that atmospheric dispersion conditions

are directionally dependent. As a result of these developments, the NRC Meteorology

Staff conducted a parametric study to examine the consequences of these changes on

previous and future licensing activities. This parametric study was instrumental in

the determination of appropriate probability levels for the risk assessment

methodology discussed in the guide. The technical basis for the new methodology and

the results of the parametric study are dOcumented in this NUREG. This documentation

includes the relationship of the new approach to the previous methodology.

17. KEYWORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS 17a. DESCRIPTORS

17b. IDENTIFIERS/OPEN-ENDED TERMS

18. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 19. SECURITY CLASS (This report) 21. NO. OF PAGES

Unclrifi prl

Unlimited 20. SECURITY CLASS (This page) 22. PRICE

N ORi UncF fi In s N PC FORM 335 (7-7 7)