Showing papers by "Alan Robins published in 1999"
TL;DR: Physical and numerical simulations of the flow of atmospheric boundary layers around a number of building configurations, with pollutant releases from them, are described in this article, where some inferences about the likely degree of uncertainty in the use of computational fluid dynamics for such cases, by using comparisons between the results obtained using different modeling choices, and between these results and experimental data.
Abstract: Physical and numerical simulations of the flow of atmospheric boundary layers around a number of building configurations, with pollutant releases from them, are described. Attention is concentrated on the issues that face the numerical modeller; as well as some inferences are drawn about the likely degree of uncertainty in the use of computational fluid dynamics for such cases, by using comparisons between the results obtained using different modeling choices, and between these results and experimental data. It is demonstrated that decisions concerning the precise details of the turbulence model may often be less important than those concerning details of the specifications of boundary conditions, the mesh construction, and the numerical schemes used to solve the modeled equations. All these factors lead to inevitable uncertainty about the quantitative accuracy of the calculation. The degree of uncertainty depends greatly on the particular quantity of interest and may or may not be significant in a practical case.
9 citations
TL;DR: This work uses this incident to show how marine and atmospheric dispersion modelling together with routine air quality monitoring can assist in identifying hazards to the population at risk from chemical incidents.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: About 7000 tonnes of unleaded petrol were discharged into the English Channel after a tanker collision off Ostend on Saturday 18 January 1997. The petrol evaporated and the vapour plume was carried across the central part of England to Wales, resulting in reports of unidentified odours, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and upper respiratory tract. This work uses this incident to show how marine and atmospheric dispersion modelling together with routine air quality monitoring can assist in identifying hazards to the population at risk from chemical incidents. METHODS: Public health surveillance and results from environmental sampling were compared with the behaviour of the plume as predicted by computer modelling. RESULTS: The predicted plume path and dispersion were shown to correlate well with the results from surveillance and environmental analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for public health professionals to interact with medical toxicologists, atmospheric and marine scientists and engineers, and other environmental experts in managing events of this nature.
8 citations