Computational Model for the Rise and Dispersion of Wind-Blown, Buoyancy-Driven Plumes. Part 1. Neutrally Stratified Atmosphere.

Published

January 1, 1993

Author(s)

X Zhang, A F. Ghoniem

Abstract

A multi-dimensional computational model for the rise and dispersion of a wind-blown, buoyancy-driven plume in a calm, neutrally stratified atmosphere is presented. Lagrangian numerical techniques, based on the extension of the vortex method to variable density flows, are used to solve the governing equations. The plume rise trajectory and the dispersion of its material in the crosswind plane are predicted. It is found that the computed trajectory agrees well with the two-thirds power law of a buoyancy-dominated plume, modified to include the effect of the initial plume size. The effect of small-scale atmospheric turbulence, modeled in terms of eddy viscosity, on the plume trajectory is found to be negligible. For all values of buoyancy Reynolds number, the plume cross-section exhibits a kidney-shaped patern, as observed in laboratory and field experiments. This pattern is due to the fomation of two counter-rotating vortices which develop as baroclinically generated vorticity rolls up on both sides of the plume cross-section. Results show that the plume rise can be described in terms of three distinct stages: a short acceleration stage, a long double-vortex stage, and breakup stage. The induced velocity field and engulfment are dominated by the two large vortices. The effect of a flat terrainon the plume trajectory and dispersion is found to be very small. The equivalent radii of plumes with different initial cross-sectional aspect ratios increase at almost the same rate. A large aspect-ratio plume rises slower initially and then catches up with smaller aspect-ratio plumes in the breakup stage. The Boussinesq approximation is found to be valid if the ratio of the density perturbation to the reference density is less than 0.1.

Citation

Atmospheric Environment

Publisher Info

, -1

Pub Type

Book Chapters

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Keywords

buoyant flows, computation, entrainment, fire phases, large fires, simulation, urban fires, wildland fires, wind effects

Citation

Zhang, X. and Ghoniem, A. (1993), Computational Model for the Rise and Dispersion of Wind-Blown, Buoyancy-Driven Plumes. Part 1. Neutrally Stratified Atmosphere., Atmospheric Environment, , -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=916988 (Accessed November 8, 2024)