Collapse of Partially Mixed Regions in Stratified Fluids
Abstract
The collapse of a partially mixed fluid mass immersed in a stably stratified fluid is studied with a finite difference formulation of the Navier- stokes equations. In a series of tests, the mixed region is assumed to have various types of density structure including ones derived from both uniform and nonuniform amounts of mixing. The shape of the mixed region is followed in detail. The temporal history of the width of the mixed region agrees with a simple analytical model in the initial stage of collapse in the case where the amount of mixing is uniform. It also compares well with a previous analytical theory in the case of a small amount of mixing where that theory is valid. Most of the energy stored in the mixed region is given up to the surrounding fluid in one Brunt-Vaisala period.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0786355
Entities
People
- A. C. Warn-varnas
- J. P. Dugan
- S. A. Piacsek
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory