Buoyant Surface Discharges into Water Bodies. I: Flow Classification and Prediction Methodology

Abstract

Buoyant surface discharges into ambient water bodies can exhibit multiple complex flow processes, which cover the spatial range from the near field with initial jet mixing to the far field with passive ambient diffusion. Multiple flow phenomena can occur, such as buoyant collapse motions, bottom attachment, deflection by the ambient current, and dynamic shoreline interaction, in the near field, and lateral and/or upstream spreading motions and turbulent diffusion processes, in the far field. Efficient and reliable predictive techniques covering the whole range of these processes are needed for the design and prediction of wastewater effluents that are subject to water quality regulations that can apply in either near and/or far field. A new comprehensive classification framework distinguishes among ten hydrodynamically distinct flow classes within four major flow categories: free jets, shoreline-attached jets, wall jets, and upstream intruding plumes. A prediction methodology for these discharges has been presented that covers the entire spatial domain from the near to the far field. It is based on the linkage of separate predictive modules in form of the expert system CORMIX3. These hydrodynamic modules are implemented by specific flow protocols and transition criteria determine their spatial extent. The methodology, corroborated by numerous detailed laboratory and some field data sources, constitutes a simple and efficient, yet accurate and robust, tool with few data requirements for surface discharge design and mixing analysis.