Abstract |
Destratification of a two-layer reservoir by pumping fluid from one layer and jetting the discharge into the other was studied in the laboratory. The fluid layers were formed by hotwater - coldwater and saltwater - freshwater combinations. For a particular range of Richardson no., thermally stratified fluids mixed more readily than those formed by saline solutions indicating a greater interfacial entrainment rate. Although these differences may be influenced by molecular diffusivity as sugged by Turner, it is felt that there is at least one alternate explanation involving local viscous effects near the interface. The results of the study show agreement with previous laboratory investigations involving different geometric arrangements, and with two field studies of mixing in thermally stratified lakes. Insufficient field evidence exists for establishing precise model-prototype relationships, but the overwhelming dominance of the Richardson no. (or densiometric Froude no.) as a dynamic control is evident. (WRSIC abstract) |