Record Details
The influence of stratification on plume structure
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | The influence of stratification on plume structure |
| Names |
Frick, Walter Eugen
(creator) Mahrt, Larry J. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1976-02-18 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1977 |
| Abstract | In plume theory it is generally assumed that a plume issuing from a round source maintains a round cross section throughout. The consequences of this hypothesis are significant; this fact should motivate research into its validity. This paper investigates conditions and analyzes mechanisms that cause fluid plumes to undergo systematic deformation in their cross section. The process of deformation is referred to as differential growth. In search of support for these ideas some available plume experiments are investigated and some supporting evidence is found and presented. It is argued that ambient wind and variations in vertical buoyancy cause these effects. A rudimentary examination of plume physics tends to support these ideas. Approximations for these mechanisms are developed. For simplicity an important approximation is made in characterizing the plume cross section with an ellipse. By way of illustrating the effect of such cross sections on plume dynamics the computer plume model of Winiarski and Frick is adapted for differential growth. Based on the results of these modifications of the model compared with round plume results and compared with some plume data it is found that the modified model is able to predict behavior the conventional theory does not predict. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Plumes (Fluid dynamics) |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/28874 |
