Thermal Infrared Signatures and Heat Fluxes of Sea Foam
Abstract
The goal of this research is to quantitatively characterize the temperature change of natural sea foam in the wake of breaking surface waves as observed with thermal imaging. Measurements in a set of laboratory experiments were carried out to verify or refute the supposition thatenhanced evaporative-cooling is responsible for this phenomenon. A control volume technique was successfully used to estimate the heat flux from foam and foam free surfaces in alaboratory wind tunnel. The results show that foam enhances the heat flux from seawater by afactor of 3-5. The surface thermal signature of the sea foam observed using long- and mid wave thermal cameras, reveals an unexpected mottled texture. We infer this is due to the cooled surface fluid draining from large bubbles to the extent that they are thin enough to transmit IR radiation from warmer bulk water and foam below. A parametric bulk flux method for the heat flux due to foam and analysis of the remote sensing signature are key results of this project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 13, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1001866
Entities
People
- C. Chris Chickadel
Organizations
- University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory