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Comparison of Two Aerial Dispersion Models for the Prediction of Chemical Release Associated with Maritime Accidents Near Coastal Areas

Full text of this paper is not available in the ETD Center. Copies may be available for inter-library loan from University of Cincinnati or may be available for purchase from Proquest/UMI.

Degree
MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine : Environmental Health Sciences, .
Abstract
Two computer models for predicting the aerial dispersion from chemical releases were compared. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Aerial Location of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) model and the RITE Emergency Response Software model’s predictions were compared. A sector of Cincinnati, which most closely resembles the coastal, urban terrain of Singapore, was chosen to test the models. Two chemicals, chlorine and propane, were used to simulate accidental releases. Release data for a range of meteorological conditions were input to both models. The plume travel directions and maximum plume travel distances at Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) values from source, were predicted by the models. Results were compared by paired t-Test and Analysis of Variance methods. Analysis showed statistically significant difference ( p=0.001) between the predicted angles of the ALOHA and RITE models. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for the RITE predicted angles showed that stability class will significantly affect the predicted angle for both chemicals. Chemical type, temperature and humidity were not significantly related to the RITE model’s predicted plume direction. Analysis also showed statistically significant difference ( p=0.001) between the ALOHA and RITE models in predicting maximum distances at IDLH values. The ANOVA for the RITE model predicted distances at IDLH values showed that both stability class and chemical type were statistically significant predictors of distances at IDLH values. Temperature and humidity were not significantly related to the RITE model’s predicted maximum plume distances.
Subject Headings
Environmental Sciences
Keywords
plume modeling and prediction; Gaussian Modeling; rite emergency modeling; aerial dispersion modeling; atmospheric dispersion modeling
Advisor
Dr. Scott Clark
Pages
1p.

Document number: ucin1014648666
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