Two-Dimensional Numerical Model of the Near-Field Flow for an Ocean Thermal Power Plant. Part I. The Theoretical Approach and a Laboratory Simulation,

摘要

This report describes the computer model NRFL02 which has been developed to calculate the near-field stratified turbulent flow driven by the intakes and outflows of an ocean thermal power plant. A two-dimensional geometry is assumed, with the power plant intakes and jet outflows modelled by boundary conditions on the left boundary of a rectangular domain. Horizontal flow through the right boundary, to or from the far-field, is allowed by assuming a pressure in hydrostatic equilibrium with the ambient density distribution. The code uses a first-order closure model to treat the stratified turbulence. Advanced numerical methods enable convergent and accurate solutions to be obtained rapidly and economically. A simple laboratory simulation of two-dimensional stratified turbulence driven by intakes and jet outflows is proposed in order to address the general question of near-flow recirculation. Numerical results from NRFL02 are presented for the proposed experimental simulation. They confirm our analysis predicting a stability limit on the far-field horizontal flow, and demonstrate the occurrence of recirculation for fast flow cases.