Parameters Of Plumes Research Articles

Flow characteristic of steam jet condensed into a water pipe flow - a numerical study

• Numerical simulation of steam jet condensation in subcooled water flow is conducted. • Thermal hydraulic parameters of cone and cylinder-cone steam plumes are analyzed. • The total pressure in the centerline reaches maximum at steam volume fraction 0.01. • Heat transfer coefficients based on area and volume of two-phase region are obtained. Gas-liquid two-phase jet condensation has a property of high heat and mass transfer efficiency, thereby its theory and method becoming an urgent requirement for optimization design and safe operation of various industrial processes. Based on the experimental study of steam jet condensation in subcooled water flow in a vertical pipe, we have developed a numerical simulation method of steam-water two-phase jet condensation coupled with thermal phase change model and two-fluid model. Meanwhile, we emphasize on the shape of the steam plume, the distribution of pressure and velocity, and the heat and mass transfer of the two-phase interface. As the steam mass flux increases from subsonic to sonic, the steam plume becomes longer, and its shape transforms from cone to cylinder-cone gradually. The steam volume fraction is close to 0.01 at the end of the two-phase region, where the total pressure in the centerline approaches the total pressure of the water and reaches the maximum. The mass transfer process of steam condensed into liquid mainly occurs in the gas–liquid two-phase region, accompanied by drastic parameter change in pressure and velocity. Under the working conditions of this paper, the heat transfer coefficients based on the interfacial area of the steam plume and the volume of the two-phase region range from 1.71 MW/m 2 K to 3.51 MW/m 2 K, and from 2398.80 MW/m 3 K to 5040.07 MW/m 3 K, respectively.

Designing key parameters of bubble plumes to restore water quality by using conceptual models: a case study in a sub-deep reservoir

Abstract Bubble plumes are a popular hypolimnetic reaeration technique in deep-water reservoirs since they have the advantage of delivering direct reaeration to the hypolimnion. Improving the understanding of the integrated reaeration processes is beneficial to optimize the reaeration capacity of the aeration or oxygenation system. In this study, the discrete bubble model was first employed to design an oxygenation system for a sub-deep reservoir (the Aha Reservoir, southwest China, with water depths of 10–30 m). A new approach involving the discrete bubble model was used to determine the initial bubble size of the bubble plume applied. The intrusion models were demonstrated to be useful for designing the gas flow rate of the reaeration system. Using the intrusion models, we predicted the intrusion thickness and intrusion distance during operation for the first time. Subsequently, we verified the predictions and produced more realistic empirical formulas. At present, reports about recommendations on initial bubble size and gas flow rate are rare, and practical verification is absent. Taking the Aha Reservoir as an example, the initial bubble radius of 1 mm and the gas flow rate of 20 m3·h−1 were recommended for bubble plume oxygenation and were found to be successful in the field. Our understanding of the reaeration processes during the operation of the bubble plume system is far from comprehensive, but this study serves to highlight the potential of the discrete bubble model and the intrusion models for designing a bubble plume system in an individual lake.

Nonlinear behavior of organic aerosol in biomass burning plumes: a microphysical model analysis

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) is a major component of smoke plumes from open biomass burning (BB). Therefore, adequate representation of the atmospheric transformations of BB OA in chemistry-transport and climate models is an important prerequisite for accurate estimates of the impact of BB emissions on air quality and climate. However, field and laboratory studies of atmospheric transformations (aging) of BB OA have yielded a wide diversity of observed effects. This diversity is still not sufficiently understood and thus not addressed in models. As OA evolution is governed by complex nonlinear processes, it is likely that at least a part of the observed variability in the BB OA aging effects is due to the factors associated with the intrinsic nonlinearity of the OA system. In this study, we performed a numerical analysis in order to gain a deeper understanding of these factors. We employ a microphysical dynamic model that represents gas–particle partitioning and OA oxidation chemistry within the volatility basis set (VBS) framework and includes a schematic parameterization of BB OA dilution due to dispersion of an isolated smoke plume. Several VBS schemes of different complexity, which have been suggested in the literature to represent BB OA aging in regional and global chemistry-transport models, are applied to simulate BB OA evolution over a 5 d period representative of the BB aerosol lifetime in the dry atmosphere. We consider the BB OA mass enhancement ratio (EnR), which is defined as the ratio of the mass concentration of BB OA to that of an inert tracer and allows us to eliminate the linear part of the dilution effects. We also analyze the behavior of the hygroscopicity parameter, κ, that was simulated in a part of our numerical experiments. As a result, five qualitatively different regimes of OA evolution are identified, which comprise (1) a monotonic saturating increase in EnR, (2) an increase in EnR followed by a decrease, (3) an initial rapid decrease in EnR followed by a gradual increase, (4) an EnR increase between two intermittent stages of its decrease, or (5) a gradual decrease in EnR. We find that the EnR for BB aerosol aged from a few hours to a few tens of hours typically increases for larger initial sizes of the smoke plume (and therefore smaller dilution rates) or for lower initial OA concentrations (and thus more organic gases available to form secondary OA – SOA). However, these dependencies can be weakened or even reversed, depending on the BB OA age and on the ratio between the fragmentation and functionalization oxidation pathways. Nonlinear behavior of BB OA is also exhibited in the dependencies of κ on the parameters of the plume. Application of the different VBS schemes results in large quantitative and qualitative differences between the simulations, although our analysis suggests also that the main qualitative features of OA evolution simulated with a complex two-dimensional VBS scheme can also be reproduced with a much simpler scheme. Overall, this study indicates that the BB aerosol evolution may strongly depend on parameters of the individual BB smoke plumes (such as the initial organic aerosol concentration and plume size) that are typically not resolved in chemistry-transport models.

Phase mixing of Alfvén waves in two-dimensional magnetic plasma configurations with exponentially decreasing density

We study damping of phase-mixed Alfvén waves propagating in axisymmetric magnetic plasma configurations. We use the linear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in the cold plasma approximation. The only dissipative process that we take into account is shear viscosity. We reduce the MHD equations describing the Alfvén wave damping to a Klein–Gordon-type equation. We assume that the two terms in this equation, one describing the effect of inhomogeneity and the other the effect of viscosity, are small. Then we use the WKB method to derive the expression describing the wave energy flux attenuation with the height. We apply the general theory to particular equilibria with the exponentially divergent magnetic field lines with the characteristic scale H. The plasma density exponentially decreases with the height with the characteristic scale Hρ. We study the wave damping for typical parameters of coronal plumes and various values of the wave period, the characteristic scale of the magnetic field variation H, and kinematic shear viscosity ν. We show that to have an appreciable wave damping at the height 6H we need to increase shear viscosity by at least six orders of magnitude in comparison with the value given by the classical plasma theory. Another important result is that the efficiency of wave damping strongly depends on the ratio H/Hρ. It increases fast when H/Hρ decreases. We present a physical explanation of this phenomenon.

Quantification of tracer plume transport parameters in 2D saturated porous media by cross-borehole ERT imaging

Cross-borehole ERT imaging was tested to quantify the average velocity and transport parameters of tracer plumes in saturated porous media. Seven tracer tests were performed at different flow rates and monitored by either a vertical or horizontal dipole-dipole ERT sequence. These sequences were tested to reconstruct the shape and temporally follow the spread of the tracer plumes through a background regularization procedure. Data sets were inverted with the same inversion parameters and 2D model sections of resistivity ratios were converted to tracer concentrations. Both array types provided an accurate estimation of the average pore velocity vz. The total mass Mtot recovered was always overestimated by the horizontal dipole-dipole and underestimated by the vertical dipole-dipole. The vertical dipole-dipole was however reliable to quantify the longitudinal dispersivity λz, while the horizontal dipole-dipole returned better estimation for the transverse component λx. λ and Mtot were mainly influenced by the 2D distribution of the cumulated electrical sensitivity and the Shadow Effects induced by the third dimension. The size reduction of the edge of the plume was also related to the inability of the inversion process to reconstruct sharp resistivity contrasts at the interface. Smoothing was counterbalanced by a non-realistic rise of the ERT concentrations around the centre of mass returning overpredicted total masses. A sensitivity analysis on the cementation factor m and the porosity ϕ demonstrated that a change in one of these parameters by 8% involved non negligible variations by 30 and 40% of the dispersion coefficients and mass recovery.

Heat and mass transfer in the mushroom-shaped head of mantle plume

The results of experimental and theoretical modeling of free-convection flows in the melt of the plume conduit and in the mushroom-shaped head are presented. It was shown that the plumes with the mushroom-shaped heads can be responsible for the batholith formation. The main parameters of such plumes are estimated.

Parameters of plumes of North Asia

This paper presents the thermal and hydrodynamic structure of the conduit of a thermochemical mantle plume based on the results of experimental and theoretical modeling of thermochemical plumes. The basic relations for determining the thermal power and diameter of plumes are given. Depending on the geodynamic setting of eruption, the following types of plumes are distinguished: plumes responsible for the formation of large igneous provinces (LIP); plumes with a mushroom-shaped head, responsible, in particular, for batholith formation; and plumes producing rift zones. Using geological data (extent of magmatism, age of igneous provinces, and sizes of igneous areas), we estimated the parameters of plumes in Siberia and its folded framing: mass flow rate of melt, thermal power, depth of origin, and diameters of plume conduits and heads. The plumes responsible for the formation of the Siberian LIP (relative thermal power Ka = 114.9) and the West Siberian rift system (Ka = 37.8 for each of the three plumes) originated from the core-mantle boundary and erupted in the presence of a refractory layer in the lithosphere. The Vilyui plume (Ka = 27.3) originated from the core-mantle boundary and caused the formation of a rift system in the absence of a refractory layer. The plumes that produced the Hangayn (Ka = 6.8) and Hentiyn (Ka = 5.5) batholiths were initiated at the core-mantle boundary and had mushroom-shaped heads. The plumes responsible for the formation of rift zones might have originated from the 670 km discontinuity.

Solar Coronal Plumes

Polar plumes are thin long ray-like structures that project beyond the limb of the Sun polar regions, maintaining their identity over distances of several solar radii. Plumes have been first observed in white-light (WL) images of the Sun, but, with the advent of the space era, they have been identified also in X-ray and UV wavelengths (XUV) and, possibly, even in in situ data. This review traces the history of plumes, from the time they have been first imaged, to the complex means by which nowadays we attempt to reconstruct their 3-D structure. Spectroscopic techniques allowed us also to infer the physical parameters of plumes and estimate their electron and kinetic temperatures and their densities. However, perhaps the most interesting problem we need to solve is the role they cover in the solar wind origin and acceleration: Does the solar wind emanate from plumes or from the ambient coronal hole wherein they are embedded? Do plumes have a role in solar wind acceleration and mass loading? Answers to these questions are still somewhat ambiguous and theoretical modeling does not provide definite answers either. Recent data, with an unprecedented high spatial and temporal resolution, provide new information on the fine structure of plumes, their temporal evolution and relationship with other transient phenomena that may shed further light on these elusive features.

Modification of modulated plasma plumes for the quasi-phase-matching of high-order harmonics in different spectral ranges

We demonstrate the technique allowing the fine tuning of the distance between the laser-produced plasma plumes on the surfaces of different materials, as well as the variation of the sizes of these plumes. The modification of plasma formations is based on the tilting of the multi-slit mask placed between the heating laser beam and target surface, as well as the positioning of this mask in the telescope placed on the path of heating radiation. The modulated plasma plumes with the sizes of single plume ranging between 0.1 and 1 mm were produced on the manganese and silver targets. Modification of the geometrical parameters of plasma plumes proved to be useful for the fine tuning of the quasi-phase-matched high-order harmonics generated in such structures during propagation of the ultrashort laser pulses. We show the enhancement of some groups of harmonics along the plateau range and the tuning of maximally enhanced harmonic by variable modulation of the plasma.

Characterization of laser ablation sample introduction plasma plumes in fs-LA-ICP-MS

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a well-established elemental analysis technique which has been applied to a variety of fields. However, LA-ICP-MS still faces substantial challenges in the deviation of detected elemental concentrations from the known composition of the sample, or elemental fractionation. Applying optical emission spectroscopy (OES) during the LA process for LA-ICP-MS can help to characterize the emitted plasma plume and potentially identify sources of elemental fractionation during LA. We characterize LA sample introduction plume using OES during fs-LA-ICP-MS analysis of a brass sample. Fundamental plume parameters, i.e., electron temperature and density are estimated and correlated with ICP-MS signal characteristics, which give insight into how laser ablation plume parameters are related to LA-ICP-MS results. The hydrodynamic expansion features of fs-LA sample introduction plumes are evaluated using shadowgraphy and time- and spectrally-resolved fast-gated photography. Results showed dissimilarities in Cu I and Zn I expansion features. There is a very good correlation between the ICP-MS signal intensities and characteristic parameters of the sample introduction plumes. However, the crater formation during single spot ablation caused significant changes in line emission intensities though the estimated temperature and density showed constant values.

Emission characteristics and parameters of tin and CuSbSe2 laser plumes

The emission characteristics and parameters of laser plumes of tin and CuSbSe2 compound are studied at distances of 1 and 7 mm from the target. The recombination times of singly and doubly charged tin ions are, respectively, 116 and 27 ns at a distance of 1 mm from the target and 148 and 64 ns at a distance of 7 mm. In the case of the CuSbSe2 compound, the recombination times of antimony and copper ions are determined to be, respectively, 60 and 75 ns at a distance of 1 mm and 707 and 976 ns at a distance of 7 mm. The time-averaged temperatures and concentrations of electrons of the tin laser plasma are determined at a distance of 7 mm from the target (T e = 0.42 eV and n e = 2.9 × 1015 cm−3), and the same parameters for the laser plasma based on the CuSbSe2 compound are determined at distances of 1 and 7 mm from the target (T e = 0.62 eV, n e = 1.4 × 1016 cm−3 and T e = 0.86 eV, n e = 8.4 × 1015 cm−3).

Attracting structures in volcanic ash transport

Abstract Volcanic ash clouds are a natural hazard that poses direct threats to aviation safety. Many volcanic ash transport and dispersion (VATD) models have been developed to forecast trajectories of volcanic ash clouds and to plan safety measures in the events of eruptions. Predictions based on these models are heavily dependent on accuracy of wind fields and initial parameters of ash plumes. However, these data of high accuracy are usually difficult to obtain, leading to possible inaccurate predictions of ash clouds trajectories using VATD models. In this study, a new method is developed to predict volcanic ash transport. In contrast to many existing VATD models that simulate the evolution of volcanic ash clouds, the new method focuses on the overall properties of the wind field in which volcanic particles are transported and correlates particle motion to the attracting structures that dictate the transport. As demonstrated in the study of Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland in April, 2010, these structures act as attractors in the atmosphere towards which volcanic ash particles are transported. These attracting structures are associated with hazard zones with high concentrations of volcanic ash. The advantages of the method are that the attracting structures are independent of particle source parameters and are less prone to inaccuracy in the wind field than particle trajectories. The new approach provides the hazard maps of volcanic ash, and is able to help improve long-term predictions and to plan flight route diversions and ground evacuations.

Boundary-layer model of mantle plumes with thermal and chemical diffusion and buoyancy

SUMMARY We present a boundary-layer model for mantle plumes driven by thermal and chemical diffusion and buoyancy. The problem is solved for a Boussinesq, Newtonian fluid with infinite Prandtl number and constant physical properties. We focus on axisymmetric mantle plumes, but also solve 2-D plumes due to line-sources for comparison. The results show that chemical plumes are much thinner than thermal plumes because of small chemical diffusivity in the mantle. When pressure-release partial melting occurs in a thermal-chemical plume, at least two mantle components may be involved: one from the chemical plume and one from the ambient mantle. A buoyant chemical boundary layer in the plume source region tends to cause narrow and strong plumes. A dense chemical source would have the opposite effect. The effects of chemical buoyancy diminish as the Lewis number, the ratio of thermal to chemical diffusivity, increases. For fully developed mantle plumes, the effects of chemical buoyancy may be insignificant. The physical parameters of mantle plumes may be estimated using surface information deduced from swell models. The total heat input from the Hawaiian plume source is about 1.3 x lo1' W, nearly 5-10 per cent of the total heat loss from the core. The depth of the Hawaiian plume source is constrained to be near the core-mantle boundary. Our results show that 2-D plumes are generally stronger than axisymmetric plumes.

Parameters of hotspots and thermochemical plumes during their ascent and eruption

Thermochemical plumes develop at the core-mantle boundary in the presence of a heat flow from the outer core and at local chemical doping that decreases the melting temperature near the bottom of the lower mantle (this dope triggers the melting of the mantle material and the ascent of the plume). The paper presents evaluations for the heat power of the Hawaiian and Iceland plumes and the results of the experimental modeling of a thermochemical plume. The diameter of a plume conduit was determined to remain virtually unchanging in the course of plume ascent. When the top of a plume reaches a “refractory” layer, whose melting temperature is higher than the melt temperature in the plume conduit, a mushroom-shaped head of the plume develops beneath the bottom of this layer. The analysis of geological and geophysical data and the results of experimental modeling are used to develop a thermal physical model for a thermochemical plume. The balance relations for the mass and thermal energy and systematic tendencies in the heat and mass transfer during free convection were utilized to derive a system of equations for the heat and mass transfer of a thermochemical plume. Parameters were determined for a thermochemical plume ascending from the core-mantle boundary. Geodynamic processes are considered that occur during the ascent of a plume before it reaches the surface. The effect of the P-T conditions on the shape and size of a plume roof is analyzed, and a model is proposed for mass transfer between a thermochemical plume and the lithosphere, when the plume reaches the bottom of a “refractory” layer in the lithosphere.

On the dispersion parameters of plumes from tall stacks in a shoreline environment

Experimental data for buoyant plumes released from high sources into layers having little ambient turbulence show that plume dispersion parameters vary in a manner similar to that during initial plume rise. This is consistent with general plume rise theory. Dispersion of plumes from tall stacks in a shoreline environment where a thermal internal boundary layer is formed often demonstrates this behaviour.