NUMERICAL COMPUTATION OF CONVECTIVE DISPERSION IN TURBULENT BUOYANT JETS

Numerical predictions of mean and turbulent characteristics of the axi symmetric vertical jet and plume are reported. An algebraic stress and flux model is used to close the time-averaged Navier-Stokes and energ y equations. Special attention was given to the numerical model, which is based on a finite-volume discretization of the elliptic form of fl ow equations. A special procedure is used to treat free boundaries and to compute the flow up to the similarity regime. The model was applie d to the prediction of the flow for the momentum-dominated (jet) and b uoyancy-dominated (plume) regime. The results show that the essential characteristics of the flows, especially for the plume, are correctly reproduced. However, some discrepancies arise from the comparison of p redicted and experimental levels.