Development of an Automated Regional Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Modeling System for Coastal Kalpakkam

Abstract

In this paper the development of an automated flux coupling mechanism applied to a Regional Coupled Atmosphere-Ocean Model (RCAOM) is reported. The coupler serves as an interface between two state-of-the-art models viz. Advanced Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and Princeton Ocean Model (POM). It has direct significance for ocean state forecasting studies such as prediction of sea-surface temperature (SST), surface circulations etc. RCAOM simulates local processes like upwelling along coastal Kalpakkam situated on the east coast of India and is also used to observe thermal recirculation at intake locations of cooling Jetties for the two nuclear power plants, Madras Atomic Power Plant (MAPS) and Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). The simulations reveal that the rise of temperature at intake locations of MAPS and PFBR occurs due to reversal wind system and exchange of heat fluxes and secondly upwelling is observed at the outfall location due to topographically induced effect in the absence of thermal discharge.