Abstract: The numerical simulation of influence of thermal discharge on near field dilution of liquid effluent at a typical inland nuclear power plant in China under three discharge scenarios (bottom, in water and above water) at four depths were carried out using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic mixing zone model and the decision support system CORMIX (Cornell Mixing Zone Expert System). The results showed that the influence of temperature on the near field dilution of liquid effluent would depend on the depth of the drain. The temperature had favorable effect on the near field relative dilution of liquid effluent under the near-bottom or lower-middle layer submerged discharge mode, whereas it would have a significant adverse impact under the upper-middle layer submerged or above the water surface discharge mode.

Key words: inland nuclear power plant, thermal discharge, liquid effluent, near field, influence