• Water Engineering Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.93-111
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• 2002

In this paper, mixing characteristics and dilution of the merging buoyant discharges from array of multiple jets has been extensively studied in the hydraulic model experiments. New equations for dilution, which include the merging effects correctly, were derived. Experiments were constructed in a 20-m long, 4.9-m wide and 0.6-m deep flume, and the model diffuser was manufactured to indicate the typical characteristics of the existing ocean wastewater outfall in South Korea. Buoyant discharge from the diffuser was reproduced using heated water. Water temperature was measured using CC-Type thermocouple sensors, which were connected to a 40-channel data logger. Experimental results show that merging between ports in a particular riser is dependent upon the discharge densimetric Froude number, whereas merging between two ports which are facing each other at 90$\circ$ at the adjacent risers is dependent upon the discharge densimetric Froude number and distance from the port and port spacing. Centerline dilution increase with distance from the port outlet until two plumes has merged. However, after merging occurs, increase of the centerline dilution almost stops. Further distance from the position where merging occurs, centerline dilution increases again.