Two‐Dimensional Numerical Model of Thermal Discharges in Coastal Regions

Abstract

This paper describes a two‐dimensional numerical model of thermal discharge in coastal regions. The model uses potential flow theory to calculate the ambient velocity field of the coastal water. Using the calculated velocity field, the heat transport equation is solved to define the excess temperature field. The finite difference method for arbitrary boundary shapes is used to solve the stream function for the current velocity calculation and the two‐dimensional heat transport equation for the excess temperature calculation. To illustrate the computational procedure, the model is applied to the case of a recently developed industrial complex in the Red Sea region. The power and desalination plants of the industrial complex require a large amount of seawater for cooling purposes. The used cooling water is discharged into the Red Sea. Hypothetical values for the various parameters are used in this case study. The model is run on a minicomputer, a VAX‐11/730. The case study demonstrates the usefulness of the stream function to obtain the velocity field. It also demonstrates that the model can provide a first approximation of the temperature field. Therefore, the use of the model is justified where field data are not readily available.