Transfer Coefficients in Stratified Channel Flow

Empirical equations based on laboratory data were developed to predict the turbulent momentum and solute transfer coefficients in stratified open channel flows. In flows where the primary source of turbulence was the bottom boundary and the density stratification was continuous, a high degree of correlation was found to exist between the momentum transfer coefficient and a bulk Richardson number based on the shear velocity, the depth of flow, the average density, and the maximum change in density across the flow. The degree of correlation between the solute transfer coefficient and this Richardson number was not as high. Although several limitations are noted, the work represents an improvement over alternative theories.