Abstract

This work contributes to the study of nuclear plant thermal discharges in coastal areas by using a numerical model which solves the Navier-Stokes-Reynolds equations for shallow waters and the energy equation for computing temperature variations. The numerical model takes into account the heat flux given in the upper layer, where the free surface and the atmosphere interact. In this study, the thermal plume dispersion from the nuclear power plant Laguna Verde, Veracruz, Mexico, is analyzed. Bathymetry, oceanographic, meteorological, hydrologic and plant operating data are used to run numerical simulations. The results are compared against observed data showing good agreement. The Nash-Suffles criterion is also applied to verify the quality of the numerical solution obtaining suitable results.