Effect of tank size and geometry on the flow induced by circular bubble plumes and water jets

Ambient flow field and circulation patterns induced by circular bubble plumes and water jets in tanks of different sizes were studied in rectangular and square water tanks. A nonstationary nature of the flow was observed in all experiments and its dominant oscillation frequency was found to directly relate to the tank size. The flow circulation patterns were similar for bubble plumes and water jets, but changed significantly with tank size and geometry. Strong three-dimensional effects were observed in a rectangular tank, resulting in flow entraining in the longer plane and flow detraining in the shorter plane, especially for the bubble plume tests. A relationship was developed to relate the tank size to the patterns of circulation cells. Nearly isotropic turbulent flow conditions were obtained in all experiments, but the effect of tank size and geometry on the magnitude of the turbulent stresses was more pronounced in the bubble plume tests. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2008)134:6(833) CE Database subject headings: Bubbles; Water circulation; Water tanks; Water jets; Mixing; Plumes; Geometry; Turbulent flow.