INFLUENCE OF A STRONG DENSITY STRATIFICATION ON THE ENTRAINMENT OF A TURBULENT AXISYMMETRICAL PLUME

The effect of entrainment and the role of the interface during the int eraction between an axisymmetric turbulent mass plume and a strong str atified layer are investigated. We describe mainly the characteristics of the plume: the change in the profiles of the density, the horizont al component of the velocity and the corresponding intensity of turbul ence, the change in the entrainment co-efficient, when the plume goes through the impingement interface, assuming a self-similar Gaussian pr operty of the axial velocity component and of the density difference. The influence of the stratification on the plume angle coefficient is studied, and compared with the results related to a homogeneous enviro nment, obtained elsewhere. Experimental correlation on the mean entrai nment coefficient in a given plume cross-section, is formulated.