Gerald C. Gill

An Inexpensive Rocket Technique for Obtaining Low Level Wind Profiles

Abstract An inexpensive, reusable, cold propellant (no fire) rocket has been adapted so a continuous smoke stream is emitted from the instant of launching to an altitude of 1200 ft. The smoke column is photographed simultaneously at 10-sec intervals by two cameras located 2000 ft from the launch site and at right angles to each other. Results are presented in terms of north–south and east–west components of the wind speed at any desired altitude to 1200 ft. A brief cost analysis is presented as evidence that the rocket technique is quite inexpensive relative to other systems in use today.

A Technique for Measuring Atmospheric Diffusion

Abstract A technique for measuring atmospheric diffusion with a “floating grid” system is described. Tracer sampling is accomplished using one or two airplanes flying arcs of circles at selected radial distances from the release point and flying selected levels on each arc. The planes are guided by a ground based radar. The centerline of the “floating grid” sampling network is aligned in the direction toward which the mean wind is blowing and can change during an experiment. Instrumentation necessary for the dispensing, sampling and analysis of the tracer material is described as well as the associated meteorological instrumentation. A brief description of the analysis of data using the “floating grid” system is also presented.

A Meteorologically Operated Stack Control System

Abstract The standard deviation of wind direction and the mean wind speed have been incorporated in to a system for controlling the release of radioactive gaseous wastes from the 200-ft stack of the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant. The meteorological sensor used in the system is a Bendix-Friez Aerovane, located on top of a 100-ft meteorological tower near the stack. Data from the Aerovane are processed by a small analog computer whose outputs are displayed on the control board of the reactor control room and recorded on strip chart recorders. The display enables the reactor operator to know whether the stack is open to the atmosphere or whether the gases are being stored in containment tanks. Averaging times of the meteorological variables may be switched to 3, 6, 12 or 24 minute periods. The paper concludes with a discussion of several representative records from the computer and the Aerovane, pointing out some of the interesting features of this system.