FORCED PLUMES IN A STABLY STRATIFIED FLUID

Abstract

Predictions are given of the final height to which a fluid emitted from a finite actual source with buoyant force will rise in a stably stratified fluid. The effects of velocity and temperature of effluent are discussed. The results show that the increase in the discharging velocity does not necessarily contribute to the increase in the height of the plume top, reducing it in some cases of small mass flux and relatively slow velocity, although increasing the temperature is always effective. Also, virtual sources are determined which correspond to the actual sources of mass, momentum and buoyancy.One of the practical problems to apply the proposed solution is an estimate of the necessary amount of temperature or velocity increase as required for stack gases of a thermal plant which is sufficient to penetrate the top of inversion layer in smog seasons and reach an upper atmosphere where they may be rapidly diffused by strong turbulence ; another such problem will be encountered in sewage disposal in the marine environments.