Pilot Experiments on Thermal Bar in Lock Exchange Flow

Abstract

The existence of a density extremum in water at 4 °C, and the resulting nonlinear relation between density and temperature gives rise to densimetric flows, which are markedly different from those in the linear range. Experiments are described that give some insight into the phenomenon of the thermal bar and the manner in which it may influence nearshore transport processes in the vicinity of a thermal outfall in a cold climate. The results are significant for the design of power station circulating water systems that must operate in severe winter conditions.