A Three-Dimensional Potential Flow Model for the Prediction of the Behavior of Radioactive Plumes

A potential flow model was developed to predict wind fields in complex terrain. In this model, wind vectors and airflows are estimated from a velocity potential function. It was found that the velocity potential function is obtained by combining threedimensional doublets at each grid point on a horizontal plane and a uniform stream parallel to the surface of the earth. The strengths of the doublets were expressed as a function of the terrain height at each grid point. Wind components at an arbitrary point were easily calculated from the potential flow model proposed. Consequently, this potential flow model is useful in estimating airflows, the convergence and divergence of the distances between streamlines, and the trajectories of radioactive plumes.