Plume modelling for a moving source.

Topics about the HYSPLIT dispersion model.
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tomking
Posts: 1
Joined: March 10th, 2023, 9:28 am
Registered HYSPLIT User: No

Plume modelling for a moving source.

Post by tomking »

Greetings Forum Members,
Tom King here, Staff Officer Meteorology with Joint Task Force Atlantic, Canadian Forces, Halifax NS. Does anyone know if the HYSPLIT dispersion model can handle a moving source? The (admittedly unlikely) scenario in question would be a reactor mishap aboard a nuclear-powered vessel resulting in the vessel being disabled and set adrift. Many thanks for any info regarding my query.. Tom.
alicec
Posts: 411
Joined: February 8th, 2016, 12:56 pm
Registered HYSPLIT User: Yes

Re: Plume modelling for a moving source.

Post by alicec »

Hi Tom,
We usually handle complex emission scenarios by using an additional file called an EMITIMES file
as input into HYSPLIT.
In the EMITIMES file, many emissions can be defined, each with their own start time, duration, location, rate, area
and even a heat value which will cause plume rise to be calculated. Differing emission rates for different species is also
handled as each species defined in the CONTROL file will have its own line in the EMITIMES file.

This allows HYSPLIT to handle any type of emission scenario.

There is a relatively simple example in the tutorial
https://www.ready.noaa.gov/documents/Tu ... _emit.html
The example is for a volcanic eruption. Obviously the volcano doesn't move, but the emissions
vary temporally and with height.

Because the different types of emission scenarios that end users want vary quite a bit, we don't have that many
tools for automating the construction of the EMITIMES files. Generally users need to build their own
scripts and processes for writing them. You will find many other posts in the forum on the construction of EMITIMES files and
are welcome to post further questions about them here.

Let me know if that helps.
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