We present a combined theoretical-experimental investigation of particle-driven gravity currents advancing in circular cross section channels in the high-Reynolds number Boussinesq regime; the ambient fluid is either homogeneous or linearly stratified. The predictions of the theoretical model are compared with experiments performed in lock-release configuration; experiments were performed with conditions of both full-depth and partial-depth locks. Two different particles were used for the turbidity current, and the full range 0<=S<=1 of the stratification parameter was explored (S = 0 corresponds to the homogeneous case and S = 1 when the density of the ambient fluid and of the current are equal at the bottom). In addition, a few saline gravity currents were tested for comparison. The results show good agreement for the full-depth configuration, with the initial depth of the current in the lock being equal to the depth of the ambient fluid. The agreement is less good for the partial-depth cases and is improved by the introduction of a simple adjustment coefficient for the Froude number at the front of the current and accounting for dissipation. The general parameter dependencies and behaviour of the current, although influenced by many factors (e.g., mixing and internal waves), are well predicted by the relatively simple model.

Zemach, T., Chiapponi, L., Petrolo, D., Ungarish, M., Longo, S., Di Federico, V. (2017). On the propagation of particulate gravity currents in circular and semi-circular channels partially filled with homogeneous or stratified ambient fluid. PHYSICS OF FLUIDS, 29(10), 106605-1-106605-17 [10.1063/1.4995388].

On the propagation of particulate gravity currents in circular and semi-circular channels partially filled with homogeneous or stratified ambient fluid

Di Federico, V.
2017

Abstract

We present a combined theoretical-experimental investigation of particle-driven gravity currents advancing in circular cross section channels in the high-Reynolds number Boussinesq regime; the ambient fluid is either homogeneous or linearly stratified. The predictions of the theoretical model are compared with experiments performed in lock-release configuration; experiments were performed with conditions of both full-depth and partial-depth locks. Two different particles were used for the turbidity current, and the full range 0<=S<=1 of the stratification parameter was explored (S = 0 corresponds to the homogeneous case and S = 1 when the density of the ambient fluid and of the current are equal at the bottom). In addition, a few saline gravity currents were tested for comparison. The results show good agreement for the full-depth configuration, with the initial depth of the current in the lock being equal to the depth of the ambient fluid. The agreement is less good for the partial-depth cases and is improved by the introduction of a simple adjustment coefficient for the Froude number at the front of the current and accounting for dissipation. The general parameter dependencies and behaviour of the current, although influenced by many factors (e.g., mixing and internal waves), are well predicted by the relatively simple model.
2017
Zemach, T., Chiapponi, L., Petrolo, D., Ungarish, M., Longo, S., Di Federico, V. (2017). On the propagation of particulate gravity currents in circular and semi-circular channels partially filled with homogeneous or stratified ambient fluid. PHYSICS OF FLUIDS, 29(10), 106605-1-106605-17 [10.1063/1.4995388].
Zemach, T.; Chiapponi, L.; Petrolo, D.; Ungarish, M.; Longo, S.; Di Federico, V.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/614433
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