Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: f4c5fb1d-efb9-4168-9804-5ad3f6f64d06
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Reporting Procedure for Mathematical Models Selected To Predict Heated Effluent Dispersion in Natural Water Bodies
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 4
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0037/ML003739535.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-4.4
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
appendix. B. DISCUSSION As applied to nuclear power plants, thermal discharge mathematical modeling attempts to accurately 3UIDE simulate the dispersion of cooling water effluent within the receiving water body. Because of the unique properties of each plant site, no single available model is universally applicable to all site conditions. Therefore, a need exists to differentiate among existing models and to identify those that will yield an optimum simulation of effluent/receiving water interactions at a particular site. For background purposes, a qualitative account of the basic physical principles and critical site factors upon which such interactions are founded is presented in Appendix A. The fundamental differential equations, mathematical approximations, and solution techniques for simulating turbulent transport processes are discussed in Appendix B. The Regulatory staff regards Appendix B as representative of acceptable mathematical procedures used to model the dispersion of heated effluent in aquatic systems. C. REGULATORY POSITION To aid in the assessment of propoaed thermal discharge mathematical models by the Regulatory staff, a uniform reporting format is desirable. Consequently, an itemized table of relevant modeling factors, such as that shown in Exhibit 1, should accompany descriptive material for the one or more models submitted by an applicant. The table is a logical extension of that presented in an existing model review,' essentially differihg only in the level of detail specified. Upop completion of pertinent entries, the table functions as a comparative tool, enabling an analyst to assess the I Polfastro, A. J., "Heated Effluent Dspersion in Large Lakes, State-of-the-Art of Analytical Modeling, Surface and Submerged Discharges," presented at Conference on Water Quality Considerations: Siting and operating nuclear power plants, Proceedinp Atonic Industrial Foruan, New York, 1972. UAEC REGULATORY GUIDE$ Cqft at . f @mbe Smug, 6an0hs 1 d i i tsm