Modeling Study of a Flow Generated by the Local Imposition of Thermal Load on the Surface of a Water Body

This work aims to develop and apply a mathematical model for heating in the water body of an open channel via the local imposition of a thermal load on the water’s surface. The study was supplemented with laboratory experiments. The mathematical simulation includes the processes of mass, temperature-density and momentum transport. The finite differences method was used, while momentum and mass conservation equations were applied. Regarding the laboratory experiments an open channel and a thermal radiation source were used. The research focused on the temperature distribution and the two-dimensional velocity field (XZ plane) along the channel, which is developed due to the temperature and waters’ density differences. The numerical model results were compared with laboratory experiments and a good agreement was showed. The study showed that the process of advection was the prevailing factor of mass and temperature transport in relation with the diffusion process. In addition, the isothermal curve diagrams revealed the final length of the motion of heated masses when the phenomenon reaches steady and thermal equilibrium is achieved. Furthermore, under the influence of thermal load the motion of the heated mass was determined depending on the amount of heat imparted to the surface water.