Radionuclide Research

In preparation to model a case study in the Dallas/ Fort Worth subdivision using the Hotspot program to predict the concentrations in the environment from radioactivity I research radionuclides. In my research I found a few radionuclides that will assist me as I use the Hotspot software for scenarios.

Progression

Today was a very successful day!!! I chose the radionuclides I will be using to perform my Hotspot scenarios. J

In the Zone

Today was an exciting day I had an opportunity to use the Air Dispersion Modeling program Hotspot. I read the manual as well as practiced a couple scenarios. The research on radionuclides to use in the case study has been a bit of a challenge because of very little data on its association with Air Dispersion Modeling.    

Gaussian Plume Equation

Gaussian Plume Equation

Today I learned about the Gaussian Plume Equation and all the factors associated with that. The Gaussian Plume Equation is an equation used in a computer program to calculate and analyze meteorological dynamics under a variety of conditions.  As you input certain parameters into this equation you are able to see how various factors effect to overall value of the Gaussian Plume Equation such as the height of release, radionuclide mixture, and stability class.

Background Knowledge

Here are a few terms that will assist in better understanding the Air Dispersion Modeling Project.

Turbulence- rough, choppy, erratic, randomness, unevenness

Eddies-chunks of glob fluids (few centimeters to hundreds of meter)

Turbulence Types

A). Mechanical Turbulence- produce by wind speed and terrain roughness

B). Thermal Turbulence- increases with solar radiation

Researching Ideas on Air Dispersion Modeling

This project of Air Dispersion Modeling will have a few objectives that I will look at. It follow as height of release, radionuclide mixture and stability class. Stay tune for more to come.

The Start!

“Dilution is the solution to pollution. “  The statement that Dr. Sattler stated to Nathaniel (my fellow research partner) and I before she introduced her lecture on Air Quality and Wind concepts.  After receiving informative concepts on how wind takes place. Nathaniel and I begin to deliberate about how we can use Hotspot 2.07.2 to test and analyze of our theories.

What is Air Dispersion

What is Air Dispersion Modeling? Today a PhD student by the name of Roja Haritha answered this question in great detail. Air Dispersion Modeling is a method to analyze and evaluate concentrations of chemicals released into in the environment.  In addition to this lecture on Air Dispersion Modeling it was introduce to a program called Hotspot. The program Hotspot 2.07.2 will assist me in calculating the data once I have set certain parameters into the Hotspot system.  

Lecture on Engineering Ethics

Today’s lecture regarding Ethics on Practical and Research applications from Dr. Weatherton provided a wealth of knowledge. I learned the official definition of ethic which is simply a set of rules that protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. As we continued our lecture, we read and evaluated many case studies on current ethic problems to acquire further knowledge on this subject.

UTA 2012 Research Experience for Undergraduates

The National Science Foundation (NSF) believes educating future generations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to ensure that Earth’s Environment remains healthy.  To ensure this process is a success the NSF partners and funds universities to research projects regarding Earth’s Environment.  This summer I will be participating in the University of Texas at Arlington Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site on Hazard Mitigation Program.  The area I will be researching is Air Dispersion Modeling: Planning for Airborne Terrorism Releases in Dallas- Fort Worth subdivision.  As time passes throughout these six weeks of researching I will be posting new findings or anything important related to this project.