Author(s): G. Zhang; H. Chanson

Linked Author(s): Hubert Chanson

Keywords: Free-surface aeration; Stepped spillways; Inception point; Rapidly varied flow; Physical modelling; Turbulent mixing

Abstract: Self-aeration has important civil and environmental applications in stepped chutes, ranging from cavitation protection to enhanced air-water mass transfer. Air bubble entrainment occurs when the turbulent stresses in the boundary layer exceed the combined effects of surface tension and buoyancy. The governing equations for air diffusion in the rapidly-varied region next to, and in the gradually-varied region away from the inception point of aeration are introduced. New and existing solutions to these equations are discussed and compared with new experimental data. An analytical model for flow bulking is introduced. The concept of negative diffusivity is discussed.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15142/T3670628160853

Year: 2016