Near Field Mixing of Staged Diffuser

A two-dimensional theory that models a staged diffuser as a continuous line source of mass, heat, and momentum has been formulated and solved. The model assumes the major dilution mechanism is due to side entrainment, and involves the use of only an entrainment coefficient obtained from classical jet literature. Constant induced velocities and excess temperatures are predicted. Solution properties are compared with that of a turbulent free jet, and the theoretical predictions are validated against existing experimental data. In the case of a diffuser discharging on a sloping bottom, the theory also suggests an optimal distribution of the momentum and heat load to take advantage of the increasing depth in the offshore direction.