VENTSAR XL - A spreadsheet for analyzing building effects and plume rise

Effect of Updating Meteorological Data on Assessment Modeling Using VENTSAR XL©

“…The dose to individuals in or near the building can also be calculated if the pollutant is radiological. VENTSAR XL© "calculates the concentrations for a given meteorological exceedance probability or for a given stability and wind speed combination" (Simpkins, 1997). The switch to a spreadsheet-based code from Mainframe-based FORTRAN program makes it more user-friendly, allowing the user to have a better access to the code and run it without any knowledge of Mainframe commands.…”

“…The building being modeled can be a simple structure with or without a penthouse on its top. The model considers recirculation cavities, high turbulence zones, wakes beyond the building, and plume rise caused by buoyancy and momentum, and downwash (Simpkins, 1997). Doses are calculated at up to 200 user-specified increments and effective dose equivalents are estimated for plume shine and inhalation exposure pathways (Simpkins, 1997).…”

“…The model considers recirculation cavities, high turbulence zones, wakes beyond the building, and plume rise caused by buoyancy and momentum, and downwash (Simpkins, 1997). Doses are calculated at up to 200 user-specified increments and effective dose equivalents are estimated for plume shine and inhalation exposure pathways (Simpkins, 1997). VENTSAR XL© has been developed through the use of Macros, which are a group of coded instructions under Microsoft® Visual Basic® applications (e.g., Microsoft® Excel®) that are used to automate routine tasks and the resolution of complex mathematical calculations.…”

“…VENTSAR XL© has been developed through the use of Macros, which are a group of coded instructions under Microsoft® Visual Basic® applications (e.g., Microsoft® Excel®) that are used to automate routine tasks and the resolution of complex mathematical calculations. VENTSAR XL© can be run on any computer that supports Microsoft® Excel® 4.0 or later (Simpkins, 1997). The code is exceptionally user-friendly and the user-input template is easy to comprehend.…”

“…The typical input involves the location of the release, building dimensions, distance to the building, release height, vent diameter, vent gas temperature, gas molecular weight, ambient air temperature, breathing rate, meteorological conditions, radionuclides and their amount released. The output is easily converted into tables and graphs for further analysis and shows the concentrations and pathway doses for each of the incremental downwind distances (Simpkins, 1995(Simpkins, , 1997. VENTSAR XL© has been used at SRS to investigate building effects such as reactor cooling towers in support of safety analyses.…”