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A Simplified Approach for Modeling a Thermal Plume in a Stratified Ambient

Article · March 2002

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Dudley J Benton
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 A Simplified Approach for Modeling a
Thermal Plume in a Stratified Ambient
Dudley J. Benton
February 2002

The entrainment for a buoyancy-dominated thermal plume can be estimated from the following
equation:
1 3
QE  ρ A - ρ D 3  D 5
=α     (1)
QD  ρ  W 
 A 

where QD and QE are the discharge and entrained flows, α is the entrainment coefficient (an
empirically-derived constant), ρA and ρD are the ambient and discharge density, D is the depth, and
W is the width. This equation assumes constant ambient conditions. An equation for variable
ambient conditions can be obtained by considering a differential equation with a power-law
relationship for the entrained flow:
1
d QE  ρ E - ρ P 3 n
=β   Z (2)
dZ  ρ 
 E 

where ρE and ρP are the entrained and plume density and Z is the vertical distance. For a uniform
ambient the density difference is approximately inversely proportional to the total flow. As the
plume is diluted by the ambient, the difference in density between the plume and the ambient
diminishes proportionally, which invites the following substitution:
n
d QE Z
=β 1 (3)
dZ (Q D + Q E )3
This ordinary separable differential equation can be solved for the dilution:
3

Q   Z  4
(n+1)

1 + E = 1 + β    (4)
Q D   W  

In order for the dilution to be proportional to the three-fifths power of the depth, n must equal
minus one-fifth. Further comparison implies:

Thermal Plume- a Simplified Approach page 1

 3
 4
4 4
QE  4  ρA - ρD   D  
9 5
1+ = 1+ α 3     (5)
QD   ρ  W  
  A  

The separable differential equation can be written in integral form:

4

= 3 α  ρ A - ρ D  Q D3
Q D+Q E

( ) 9 D
4 1 4 4 dZ
5W 5
∫ (Q D + Q ) d 3 Q D+Q 3
 ρA 
∫ 1 (6)
QD 0 Z5

The conservation of energy can also be expressed in integral form:

TP D
CW ∫ ρ P  Q D+Q E  dT = C ∫ ρ E Q E T E dZ (7)
TD
  0

where C is the specific heat. For a stratified ambient the density and temperature will vary as the
plume rises and entrains water. Any of a number of numerical integration techniques can be used to
solve these simultaneous integral equations. The fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is used here. A
comparison between field data, two zero-dimensional TVA models, this author’s three-dimensional
model (Benton '89), and the current one-dimensional model is shown in the following figure.

Figure 1. Comparison of Measured and Model Results

Thermal Plume- a Simplified Approach page 2

These calculations are based on a uniform upstream temperature, in which case, the current one-
dimensional plume model closely follows the TVA zero-dimensional model. The increase in
dilution with depth as computed using the two-dimensional Sequoyah plume model is shown in the
following figure.

Figure 2. Power Law Approximation of Model Results

The current one-dimensional plume model uses a separate entrainment coefficient for buoyancy-
driven and momentum-driven entrainment. The effective entrainment coefficient for a
momentum-dominated plume based on the zero-dimensional TVA plume model is compared to
the current one-dimensional plume model in the following figure.

Thermal Plume- a Simplified Approach page 3

 Figure 3. Entrainment Coefficient

REFERENCES

Abraham, G., and W. Eysink, 1968, "Jets Issuing into a Fluid with a Density Gradient," Journal of
Hydraulic Research, Vol. 7, pp. 145-147.

Adams, E. E., 1972, "Submerged Multiport Diffusers in Shallow Water with Current," Master's
Thesis, Ralph M. Parsons Laboratory for Water Resources and Hydrodynamics, Department of
Civil Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Alavian, V., P. Ostrowski, and J. A. Parsly, 1988, "Two Computer Models for Diffuser
Performance Evaluation," TVA Report WR28-1-900-162.

Albertson, M. L., Y. B. Dai, R. A. Jensen, and H. Rouse, 1948, "Diffusion of Submerged Jets,"
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Paper No. 2409.

Almquist, C. W., C. D. Ungate, and W. R. Walrdop, 1978, "Field Model Results for Multiport
Diffuser Plume," Proceedings of the ASCE Conference on Verification of Mathematical and
Physical Models in Hydraulic Engineering, College Park, Maryland.

Almquist, C. W., 1978, "Submerged Multiport Diffuser Analysis and Design for Hartsville Nuclear
Plant," TVA Report WR28-1-89-100.

Thermal Plume- a Simplified Approach page 4

 Benton, D. J., 1986, "Development of a Two-Dimensional Plume Model for Positively and
Negatively Buoyant Discharges into a Stratified Flowing Ambient," TVA Draft Report
WR28-1-45-105.

Benton, D. J., "Development of a Two-Dimensional Plume Model for Positively and Negatively
Buoyant Discharges into a Stratified Flowing Ambient, " Tennessee Water Resources
Symposium, 1989.

Cederwall, K., 1975, "Gross Parameter Solutions of Jets and Plumes," ASCE Journal of the
Hydraulics Division, Vol. 101, No. HY5.

Thermal Plume- a Simplified Approach page 5

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