Temperature Rise, Bank Erosion, and Jet Velocity Effects of Submerged Multiport Diffusers in an Estuary

Bowen, James D.; Wolf, Steven H.; Adams, E. Eric; ,

Temperature Rise, Bank Erosion, and Jet Velocity Effects of Submerged Multiport Diffusers in an Estuary

by James D. Bowen, ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Acton, United States,
Steven H. Wolf, ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Acton, United States,
E. Eric Adams, ENSR Consulting and Engineering, Acton, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Temperature distributions, potential bank erosion, and jet velocity and trajectory of submerged multiport diffusers were predicted as part of the permitting process for an fossil fuel fired electric power plant. Simulated temperature distributions indicated that water quality standards for temperature rise could be achieved with a submerged tee diffuser only during slack tide due to dilution reductions caused by cross-currents. It was predicted that erosion of the far bank during slack tide conditions could be a serious problem, with the possibility of more than 0.1 meter of far bank erosion per day. Tidal currents were found to be sufficient to deflect the plume by more than 45 degrees, with plume velocities comparable to those during slack tide conditions even though dilutions were decreased several fold.

Return to search