Gravitational spreading of heavy gas clouds instantaneously released (Q1059476)

This paper tackles the topical subject of heavy gas dispersion in a way which avoids the limitations of simple box models and the complications of a full numerical solution. The basis of this middle of the road approach is to simplify the equations of motion using ''thin layer'' assumptions which are typical of most cloud releases. Similarity solutions of the simplified equations can be obtained. The major problem is to introduce a physically realistic treatment of entrainment, which is based on observations actually illustrated in the paper. It is shown that a ''plume model'' of entrainment in which the entrainment velocity is proportional to the velocity difference across the top of the cloud leads to unreasonable cloud configurations. If entrainment is associated with atmospheric turbulence, then reasonable and consistent results are obtained.