An Investigation of Flashing-Driven Natural Circulation

Natural circulation driven boiling systems are extensively used for passive heat removal, such as in nuclear power plants. The flashing phenomenon and the associated flow instabilities in a natural circulation loop are reported here. An experimental facility is constructed with a heater, an adiabatic riser, a condenser and an adiabatic down comer to study the instability regions. The experimental geometry is modeled using RELAP5. At high power (i.e., at 6 kW) flashing instability is observed when the inlet sub cooling is within the range of 7° C to 12° C. It is also found that the presence of an inlet restriction does not help to suppress the flashing induced flow oscillation. A good comparison between the experimental and numerical results is observed and this loop can be used for validation exercises of commercial codes.     

Differences among model simulations of climate change on the scale of resource regions

The climate simulations from atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) are often used to analyze the potential effects of climate change on environmental resources. It has been demonstrated that there are differences among the simulations from various GCMs, on spatial scales ranging from global to regional. This paper quantifies the differences in temperature and precipitation simulated by three major GCMs for four specific regions: an agricultural region (the North American winter wheat belt), a hydrologic region (the Great Basin), a demographic region (the high-density population corridor of the northeast United States), and a political region (the state of Texas). Both the current (control) climate and the climatic response to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) are consideredIn each region, even when the data are averaged on a seasonal basis, marked differences occurred in the areal average climate simulated by the different GCMs for both the control climate and the doubled-CO₂ climate. Thus, climate impact studies based on the simulations of more than one GCM could easily yield a range of possible results     

河北平原的地面沉降

本文通过分析河北省的水准测量资料，揭示了河北平原的地面沉降情况。整个河北平原都存在着下降的趋势。在大范围的下降背景上，又分布着许多大大小小的沉降中心。这些沉降区多数都是以城市为中心，互相连成一片，下沉速度有逐渐加快的趋势。河北平原地面沉降的原因，除少数有构造运动的因素以外，绝大多数都是集中过量开采地下水造成的。     

ON THE USE OF SEEPAGE METERS TO ESTIMATE GROUNDWATER NUTRIENT LOADING TO LAKES1

Data from a study on East Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida, indicate that the seepage meter measurement method may often overestimate nutrient contributions to lakes. Nutrient loading data from this method and a method employing lakeside piezometer nutrient data and seepage meter flows were not comparable. Seepage nutrient loading from the meter and piezometer methods comprised 39 and 18 percent of the nitrogen budget and 38 and 9 percent of the phosphorus budget, respectively, for East Lake Tohopekaliga. In terms of water, groundwater seepage accounted for only 14 percent of the total input to the lake. It is felt that some of the past studies using the seepage meter method to estimate nutrient loading may be in error due to reasons related to the enclosure of lake sediments by the meter and the accompanying anaerobic conditions which quickly result.     

GEOLOGIC INFERENCE FROM “FLOW NET” TRANSMISSIVITY DETERMINATION: THREE CASE STUDIES1

A graphical inverse method for determining the regional transmissivity distribution was applied to three field problems. The study areas were the Hanford Site, Washington; the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Colorado; and the Nevada Test Site, Nevada. This method can aid in flow system conceptualization by revealing the location of bedrock controls for groundwater flow. It is a valuable tool for aiding the hydrogeologist in asking questions about the nature of trends in the pattern of transmissivity values. Quantitative estimates of regional transmissivities can be used as starting points for further parameter refinement. Sensitivity analysis using Monte Carlo simulation shows that quantitative estimates of transmissivity can be obtained when measurement error in the hydraulic head does not cause a large error in the hydraulic gradient.     

AN EXAMINATION OF THE MECHANISMS CONTROLLING GROUNDWATER GRADIENTS IN HYPER-ARID REGIONAL SEDIMENTARY BASINS1

ABSTRACT: Although evidence of modern recharge in the North African and Arabian sedimentary basin aquifers exists, it is difficult to determine the volume of recharge. Also, from the evidence of regional groundwater gradients, the flow within the aquifers seems to be appreciably greater than one would intuitively expect. A hypotehtical model embodying the characteristics of the aquifers has been used to investigate the likely significance of various possible flow mechanisms. It is shown that while dewatering in the unconfined area can possibly contribute to flows for a considerable period of time, the maintenance of water levels in the unconfined zone must be the result of modern recharge. It is also shown that recharge depths of less than 10 mm per annum are sufficient given suitable aquifer parameters. Results for various combinations of aquifer parameters and configurations are given, including layered aquifers and the effects of restricted oufflows. Comparisons are made using a “bench mark” example. The work indicates that there is little point in carrying out conventional hydrological balance studies in hyper-arid areas and that, instead, more emphasis should be placed upon good groundwater hydrographic data and modeling.     

EFFECTS OF NO-FLOW RIVER CONDITIONS ON THE PLATTE RIVER WELL FIELD1

ABSTRACT: Effects of no-flow river conditions on the quantity and quality of water in the Platte River well field of the City of Grand Island, Nebraska, were examined utilizing a finite-difference computer simulation model specifically developed for this well field. Results suggest that the effects of these no-flow periods on water quality may be most important. In particular, the no-flow periods eliminate the hydraulic barrier between the well field and an area north of the River that is contaminated with nitrate (concentrations in the 20 to 40 mg/1 NO₃-N range). They also change the direction and velocity of movement of the contaminated ground water. Simulation results indicate that contaminated ground water moves toward the well field with a velocity of 0.42 ft/d after 30 days of no-flow and 1.43 ft/d after 180 days of no-flow. Limiting no-flow conditions to 10 consecutive days would protect the well field.     

NUMERICAL MODELING OF SALTWATER INTRUSION IN THE NORTHERN GUAM LENS1

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the application of a two-dimensional, saltwater intrusion model to the aquifer in Northern Guam. The model used finite element theory and the Galerkin, weighted-residual technique as its basis. The Northern Guam lens was discretized into 299 linear, triangular elements and 189 nodes. The model was calibrated using 1978 hydrologic data. The output of the model was compared with measured water levels in six observation wells. The calibrated values of permeability and porosity were then used to verify the model using 1979 data. A calibrated and verified model can be used to make an infinite variety of management and planning studies. In this study, three applications are provided that would be considered typical management runs. Steady state runs were made to compare the four conditions of no pumping, 1978 pumping levels, twice 1978 pumping levels, and five times 1978 pumping levels. The water levels due to these conditions are shown in plan and in cross sections of the aquifer. The effect of zero recharge to the aquifer is next demonstrated for the pumping levels existing during 1978. The final run shows how long the aquifer takes to reach steady state when the pumping rate is increased from the 1978 pumping level to twice that value. The program can be used for numerous other studies for management and planning purposes.     

废物库周围地下水中的放射性核素铀和锶-90分布研究

中国工程物理研究院核　物理与化学研究所原工作地点（老点）存在两个放射性废物库５３７－１和５３７－２。年内分别在库周围取地下水（或土）６次，对５３７－１得到地下水和泥土中的铀含量大约为１．２７μｇ／Ｌ和３．０μｇ／Ｌ，对５３７－２得到的地下水中的９０Ｓｒ含量约为５．３５×１０－３Ｂｑ／Ｌ。上列数据与本底无明显差异。可见，５３７－１废物库周围地下水中铀含量与生活区河水中含量无明显差异，５３７－２废物库周围地下水中锶含量与生活区河水中含量也无明显差异。至今未监测到两个废物库中的放射性核素对周围地下水中的明显　影响。     

黑河流域生态环境的脆弱性及其对地下水的依赖性

本文通过翔实的素材阐述了河西走廊黑河流域生态环境的脆弱性及其对地下水环境的依赖性,根据野外实地考察实料揭月了适合西北生态脆弱区的地下水可持续利用模式,并指出了生态环境保护与水资源利用协调发展的国土安全意义.