Research Article
May 1982
Thermal Fronts in Heated Water Discharges
Publication: Journal of the Hydraulics Division
Volume 108, Issue 5
Abstract
Large scale, periodic motions known as thermal fronts, which are observed in surface, heated water discharges were investigated in a laboratory model. Characteristic length scales corresponding to various regions of flow in a heated water discharge are evolved from the kinematic mass, momentum, and buoyancy fluxes and the ambient velocity considerations. A one-dimensional, wave type model, describing the velocity of propagation of fully-developed thermal fronts, is developed. Experiments show that thermal fronts become fully developed in the far field region of the discharge mixing zone where the horizontal motions due to the discharge buoyancy and to the ambient water velocity dominate the discharge behavior. The mean behavior of the heated discharges with thermal fronts is found to be similar to heated discharges without thermal fronts. The measured velocities are in good agreement with the one-dimensional, wave model predictions. Criteria for the discharge densimetric Froude number and discharge-ambient velocity ratio are developed for the occurrence of thermal fronts.
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Published In
Journal of the Hydraulics Division
Volume 108 • Issue 5 • May 1982
Pages: 707 - 725
Copyright
© 1982 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published in print: May 1982
Published online: Feb 3, 2021
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Authors
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Vahid Alavian, AM.ASCE
Asst. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.
John A. Hoopes, M.ASCE
Prof., Dept. of Civ. and Environmental Engrg., Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.
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ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.