On the Condensation of Buoyant, Moist, Bent-Over Plumes

Abstract

The theory of growth of dry plumes is extended to include the effects of moisture in both the vapor and liquid forms. A relation determining the point at which a moist plume first condenses is derived. Numerical solutions of this relation indicate that, under most atmospheric conditions, condensation either occurs very close to the stack or not at all. A method for predicting whether or not condensation will occur for arbitrary conditions of atmospheric relative humidity and initial temperature excess and relative humidity of the plume is given. The special case where the plume is initially saturated, corresponding to cooling tower effluents, is considered in more detail.