Stratified Flows

The dynamics of flows in density-stratified fluids has been and remains now an important topic for scientific enquiry. Such flows arise in many contexts, ranging from industrial settings to the oceanic and atmospheric environments. It is the latter topic which is the focus of this book. Both the ocean and atmosphere are characterised by the basic vertical density stratification, and this feature can affect the dynamics on all scales ranging from the micro-scale to the planetary scale. The aim of this book is to provide a “state-of-the-art” account of stratified flows as they are relevant to the ocean and atmosphere with a primary focus on meso-scale phenomena; that is, on phenomena whose time and space scales are such that the density stratification is a dominant effect, so that frictional and diffusive effects on the one hand and the effects of the earth’s rotation on the other hand can be regarded as of less importance. This in turn leads to an emphasis on internal waves.

Explore the nature of density-stratified flow over and around topography, including applications to the flow of the atmosphere and ocean.

Stratified Flows is the second edition of the book Dynamics of Nonhomogenous Fluids. This book discusses the flow of a fluid of variable density or entropy in a gravitational field. In this edition, corrections have been made; unnecessary parts have been omitted; and new sections as well as notes on results related to the subject have been added. This book includes a general discussion of the effects of density or entropy and the structure of stratified flows; waves of small amplitude; the Eigenvalue problem; dependence of phase velocity on wavelength; wave motion; steady flows of finite amplitude; and types of solutions for steady flows. This edition also covers other topics such as hydrodynamic stability; flows in porous media; and the analogy between gravitational and electromagnetic forces. This text is recommended for those in the field of physics who would like to be familiarized with stratified flows and its related concepts.

This book covers the theory of stratified flows, from basic concepts to recent developments in environmental fluid mechanics. State-of-the-art numerical techniques suited for stratified flows are given, along with results of recent research in the areas of environmental stratified flows. The book offers a unified view of stratified turbulent flows, from small-scale mixing to large-scale environmental phenomena, including detailed discussion on interaction between turbulence and internal gravity waves.

The present lecture notes cover a first course in th~ most common types of stratified flows encountered in Environ mental Hydraulics. Most of the flows are buoyancy flows, i.e. currents in which gravity acts on small density differences. Part I presents the basic concepts of stagnant, densit- stratified water, and of flowing non-miscible stratified fluids. The similarity to the (presumed) well-known open channel flow, subject to a reduced gravity, is illustrated. Part II treats the miscible density stratified flows. In outlining the governing equations, the strong coupling between the turbulence (the mixing) and the mean flow is emphasized. The presentation and discussions of the basic governing equa tions are followed by illustrative examples. Separate chapters are devoted to Dense Bottom Currents, Free Penetrative Convec tion, Wind-driven Stratified Flow, Horizontal Buoyancy Flow and Vertical jet/plumes. Part III presents some examples of practical problems solved on the basis of knowledge given in the present lecture notes. It is the author's experience that the topics treated in chapter 8 and in the subsequent chapters are especially well suited for self-tuition, followed by a study-circle. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The author has benefited by the valuable help of his col legues at the Institute of Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Engin eering, the Technical University of Denmark, especially our librarian Mrs. Kirsten Dj¢rup, our secretary Mrs. Marianne Lewis and our technical draftsman Mrs. Liselotte Norup.

Stratified flows are important in determining how various atmospheric and environmental processes occur. The book investigates these processes and focuses on the methods by which pollutants are mixed and dispersed in natural and industrial environments.

This publication presents new conceptions and new methods for protecting the larger of the reservoirs that may be built this year and next as part of the war program. It puts in the hands of engineers, agronomists, and others an increased knowledge of a subject of importance in the field of land use and good water use.