Surface Buoyant Jets in Steady and Reversing Crossflows

Abstract

Experimental data on surface buoyant jets in steady and reversing crossflows is presented. The experiments were conducted in a 130 ft (40 m) by 81 ft (25 m) by 1.5 ft (0.45 m) deep basin, which was large enough to ensure negligible boundary effects while allowing controlled ambient, conditions. The test results are presented nondimensionally and referenced to controlling length scales. The steady crossflow results are trajectories and longitudinal temperatures, which show the effects of the discharge buoyancy and initial flowrate. Comparing these results with those of other experimental studies leads to the suspicion that boundary effects may be present in some of the latter. The reversing crossflow tests furnish surface temperature patterns and plume depths for a range of conditions. These results can be used to evaluate mathematical models. In addition, the effects of tidal reversals on the offshore extent and depth of the plume are examined. Dispersion tests reveal that buoyancy played an important role in plume spreading. This factor is important as buoyant spreading is frequently omitted in two dimensional farfield mathematical models of thermal plumes.