Use of Jet Pumps in Marine Waste Disposal

The prime objective of a marine waste disposal installation is to maximize the physical dilution of wastewater with seawater. Very often the formation of a submerged plume is desirable. Application of the jet pump principle for achieving these objectives was investigated in a laboratory model. Tests were performed in both homogeneous and stratified environments. The experimental results and a theoretical analysis show that in a homogeneous environment the use of a jet pump results in a significant increase of the initial dilution. Under stratification conditions the use of a jet pump increases the probability of forming a submerged plume. However, the dilution obtained under these conditions is considerably lower compared to a simple jet.