Numerical simulation of an industrial cumulus and comparison with observations

Francis W. Murray, Lloyd Randall Koenig, Paul M. Tag

Expert InsightsPublished 1977

A two-dimensional field-of-flow numerical model of cloud development is used to study clouds over a refinery resulting from heat dissipation. The observed vertical structure of the atmosphere provided initial conditions. When conditions were matched to those reported, the simulated cloud agreed in most particulars with observations. Sensitivity tests showed that the simulated cloud too strongly depends on ambient wind speed and shear. This perhaps is a generic defect of two-dimensional formulations. The simulated cloud's response to expected changes in heat flux density appears more realistic than its response to small changes in ambient wind. The cloud evolution consists of bubbles forming and breaking away from the main cloud mass, then moving downwind and dissipating. This behavior characterizes real clouds associated with a stationary heat source. The simulation also predicts that under appropriate conditions secondary clouds form far downwind.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1977
  • Pages: 44
  • Document Number: P-6041

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Murray, Francis W., Lloyd Randall Koenig, and Paul M. Tag, Numerical simulation of an industrial cumulus and comparison with observations. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1977. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6041.html.
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