Density stratification from buoyancy-driven exchange flow through horizontal partitions in a liquid tank

This paper presents an experimental study of the transient density stratifi cation from buoyancy-driven and forced-convection flows through horizontal partitions in a liquid tank. When strongly stratified, an enclosure's ambie nt density distributions can be considered as one-dimensional, with negligi ble horizontal gradients except in narrow regions around buoyant jets. The vertical density distribution was measured by sheet laser light passing thr ough the corner of the tank, using the change of light reflection index ass ociated with the local fluid component concentration and density. The resul ts of these experiments gives an important information to improve the model ing of transient stratification evolution induced by jets and plumes in lar ge enclosures, as well as the prediction of exchange flow rates through hor izontal openings between inter-connected compartments. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.