Dynamics of the spout of gas plumes discharging from a melt: Experimental investigation with a large-scale water model

In the present study, the spout region of a gas plume discharging from a me lt has been investigated using a water model of 180 cm in height and 160 cm in diameter. The lateral movement of the spout, as measured optically, inc reases with the gas flow rate and has been found to be +/- 20-cm wide or wi der, and very fast. The spout height, as measured with video-optical and el ectrical methods, strongly fluctuates with time. Clear definitions have to be made of the quantities to be determined in the highly dynamic process. L ong-time averages of the radial height profiles and momentary maximum heigh t values are reported. It is confirmed that the nondimensional spout height , defined and measured in a certain manner, is independent of the Froude nu mber and of the nondimensional nozzle diameter.