Mechanics of Turbulent Buoyant Jets and Plumes

Abstract

The mechanics of submerged turbulent jets has received a good deal of research attention. This work has resulted in an understanding of the process by which jets grow by entrainment of surrounding fluid. While of direct scientific interest, this work has practical implications that are of interest to engineers concerned with the design of systems that utilize jet concepts. A fluid motion is called a jet if its primary source of kinetic energy and momentum flux is a pressure drop through an orifice. A fluid motion whose main source of kinetic energy and momentum flux is body forces is called a plume. The flows, whose motion is in transition from a jet to a plume, are called a forced plume or a buoyant jet. Almost all jets whose fluid density differs from the ambient fluid density become plumes. This chapter discusses the mechanics of jets and plumes whose interactions with their environment are self-generated. It discusses how such jets and plumes are influenced by changes in the environment such as density stratification of the surrounding fluid, uniform motion of the ambient fluid, or turbulence within the ambient fluid.

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