Field and Laboratory Validation of High-Flow Air Bubbler Mechanics

Abstract

Recent physical model studies have refined designs for high-flow air diffusers for managing accumulations of broken ice at navigation projects. Although these solutions are successful in the model, implementing them in the field can be difficult because of uncertainties in airflow scaling. This study uses field and laboratory data to test theoretical relationships between airflow from the diffuser and the resulting near-surface water velocity. In the experiments, water velocities were measured adjacent to bubbler plumes for depths ranging from