Modeling Underwater Oil/Gas Jets and Plumes: Comparison with Field Data

Abstract

A jet and plume model previously developed to simulate underwater blowouts of liquid/gas mixtures is used here to simulate five field experiments. The field experiment data that became available only after the previous paper was published are unique. In this technical note, the variation of jet/plume diameter with depth for all five field experiments is compared with model simulations. The model simulations were carried out without changing any coefficients from one simulation to another. The comparisons between the observed data and model results of two surface oil slicks are also included.