SCALING AND ANALYSIS OF MIXING IN LARGE STRATIFIED VOLUMES

This work develops scaling and governing equations for mixing processe s in large interconnected enclosures under stratified conditions. Inje cted buoyant jets, plumes from heat sources, and wall jets from heat t ransfer to structures can generate such mixing. Using the hierarchical two-tiered scaling analysis method, criteria are developed for the pr ediction of ambient enclosure fluid stratification due to temperature and/or concentration gradients. Simplified governing equations for mas s, energy, and species conservation result. In their simplified form, the governing equations allow both scaling and simplified modeling and analysis of integral system behavior. The application to numerical an alysis of mixing is illustrated with an example related to nuclear rea ctor containment mixing.