Air-Water Gas Transfer in Uniform Channel Flow

• Published in: Journal of hydraulic engineering (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 125; no. 1; pp. 3 - 10
• Main Authors: Moog, Douglas B, Jirka, Gerhard H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Society of Civil Engineers 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Air; Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computational fluid dynamics; Exact sciences and technology; Flow of fluids; Freshwater; Gases; Hydraulic constructions; Phase interfaces; Reynolds number; TECHNICAL PAPERS; Transport properties; Turbulent flow; Stirred vessel; Air content; Theory; Open channel flow; Reynolds number; Solubility; Turbulent transfer; Air water interface; Experimental study; Experimental protocol; Aeration; Parametric method; Renewal theory; Penetration; Burst
• ISSN: 0733-9429; 1943-7900
• DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1999)125:1(3)

Transfer of low-solubility gas between air and flowing water is studied experimentally and through analysis of previous studies. The smallest turbulent motions are seen to have a theoretical advantage in overcoming interfacial resistance, and measurements of oxygen absorption rates are found to agree with small-eddy scaling. Though recent studies have emphasized large motions, this conflict is resolved by a conceptual framework incorporating both scales in terms of the distribution of near-surface turbulent energy dissipation rates. At higher Reynolds numbers, such as in natural streams, transfer rates are expected to be controlled by mean dissipative scales.