studies with an instrumented platform, were performed..© Results indicated
that the flow disturbances and turbulences that existed above the platform
followed a particular geometry. In the peripheral area where the collectors
were located, smoke studies indicated the occurrence of an ill-defined but
orderly recirculatory flow system, moving upward in the windward section and
downward in the leeward section. Since the vertical component of the recirculatory flow is greatest at the extreme upwind and downwind peripheral positions,

minimum and maximum collections might be expected at these positions, respec-

tively. Due to the circular platform geometry, it was also expected that the
variation of collection would be symmetrical about the minimum-maximum collection axis.

Ground Bias

At present the relationship between the mean platform value and the equivalent ground value is empirical. It is assumed that for each bias ratio, with
or without qualifications, there is a factor which empirically relates the mean
platform value to the ground value. This ground factor, g, is defined as
follows:
equivalent ground value = gxmean platform value
The relationship automatically takes into account the intrinsic efficiency of
the platform collectors which, in this study, are limited to periphery-located

OCC's and AOC)'s.

SINGLE-WIND SYSTEM
The most important bias characteristic of a s.w. system is the bias ratio
because it not only describes the extent of relative bias but also determines

the ground factor (assuming the information is available).

With the ground

factor known, the ultimate objective of most bias studies is met, i.e., the
computation of the equivalent ground value. Thus there exists a need for
fundamental experimental data to describe the variation of ground factor with
bias ratio. Also needed is data to study the variation of the bias ratio
with wind speed, particle size and density. In this system an unqualified
and particular ground factor is associated with each bias ratio since the ratio
is a specific measure of the resultant bias effects. In the case of uniform
collection (bias ratio of unity) the values are ground values if collecting
efficiency is 100 %.

For practical reasons, a system with winds of approxi-

mately equal speeds and of directions varying within a 30° sector are considered to be a s.w. systen.

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