Title: Evaluation of the Lagrangian particle dispersion model DIPCOT against data from wind tunnel simulations of quasi two-dimensional turbulent flow

Authors: Efstratios Davakis, Spyros Andronopoulos, George A. Sideridis, Eleftherios G. Kastrinakis, Stavros G. Nychas, John G. Bartzis

Addresses: Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Box 453, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Environmental Research Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection, NCSR 'Demokritos', 15310, Ag. Paraskevi, Greece. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Box 453, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Box 453, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Box 453, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Department of Energy Resources Management Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece

Abstract: The stochastic dispersion model DIPCOT was validated against data from wind tunnel experiments where heat, used as the tracer, was released in a quasi two-dimensional turbulent flow. Dispersion simulations, based on Langevin equation, were performed using measurements and the model predictions were quantitatively compared to the experimental data. Two approaches of the drift term in Langevin equation were examined, utilising the first three and the first four moments of turbulent velocity, respectively. The overall behaviour of the model is quite satisfactory. The form of the drift term affected the predictions; the introduction of the fourth moment resulted in better estimations of the maximum concentrations. However, the mean performance of the model remained stable, irrespective of the drift term formulation.

Keywords: atmospheric dispersion modelling; Lagrangian particle dispersion model; Langevin equation; probability density function; validation; quasi two-dimensional flow; wind tunnel simulations; turbulent velocity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007389

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2005 Vol.24 No.1/2/3/4, pp.114 - 126

Published online: 15 Jul 2005 *

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