Water Qual. Res. J. Canada, 2002 Volume 37, No.

3, 599612
Copyright 2002, CAWQ

The Effect of Nozzle Type on Air Entrainment by Plunging Water Jets

TAMER BAGATUR,1 AHMET BAYLAR1* AND NUSRET SEKERDAG2
1Frat 2Frat

University, Department of Civil Engineering, Elazig, Turkey University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Elazig, Turkey

In this study, for the plunging water jet aeration system using various inclined nozzle types, bubble penetration depth, air entrainment rate, water jet expansion, effect of water jet circumference at impact point, oxygen transfer coefficient and oxygen transfer efficiency which changed depending on the water jet velocity, were researched in an air-water system. Numerous studies were conducted with circular nozzles. The present study describes new experiments performed with different nozzle types. Three types of nozzles were examined, i.e., those with circular, ellipse and rectangle duct with rounded ends. Experimental results showed that water jets produced with ellipse and rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzles have very different flow characteristics, entrainment patterns on free water jet surface, and submerged water jet region within the receiving tank. Higher air entrainment rate and oxygen transfer efficiency was observed in the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle due to water jet expansion. Bubble penetration depth, however, is lower for the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle than for the other nozzles. The ellipse nozzle provided the highest bubble penetration depth. These results showed that it is appropriate to use ellipse nozzle in aeration of deep pool and rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle in the applications where high bubble concentration is desirable. Key words: plunging water jet, nozzle, air entrainment, aeration, dissolved oxygen

Introduction
When a water jet impinges a tank filled with water at rest, air bubbles may be entrained and carried below the tank free surface. This process is called plunging water jet entrainment and aeration. Plunging water jets are used in a wide variety of industrial and environmental situations. In the natural process of self-purification (re-aeration) of rivers, streams, waterfalls and weirs, water jets which entrain air and provide good contact and dispersion of air bubbles into the body of water play a significant role. Plunging water jets are used to stir chemicals as well as to increase gas-liquid transfer. In sewage and water treatment plants, aeration cascades combine the effects of flow aeration and high turbulence levels, enhancing the mass transfer of volatile gases (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, volatile organic com-

* Corresponding author; [email protected]

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pounds). Plunging water jets are also used in industrial processes (e.g., water jet mixers and bubble flotation of minerals, oil, and grease). In hydraulic structures, plunging water jets are often a primary cause of air entrainment (e.g., in industrial siphons, spillways, weirs). A substantial number of research workers have studied air entrainment and oxygen transfer in plunging water jets (Van de Sande and Smith 1973, 1975; McKeogh and Elsawy 1980; McKeogh and Ervine 1981; Ohkawa et al. 1986). These researchers have assumed that the factors affecting the air entrainment characteristics of a water jet are: nozzle diameter (dO), water jet velocity (Vj), nozzle length (LN) to diameter ratio, water jet length (Lj), water jet impact angle (), and water jet surface roughness (). However, it is insufficient to investigate or discuss the characteristics of a water jet based on these six factors only. In this study, dO, LN, Lj, and were assumed as constant. Hence air entrainment rate (QA), water jet expansion, effect of water jet circumference (Uj) at impact point, oxygen transfer coefficient (kLa) and oxygen transfer efficiency (OE) were evaluated depending on the nozzle type and Vj. Three types of nozzles, i.e., circular, ellipse, and rectangle duct with rounded ends, were used in experiments. The residence time of entrained air bubbles in a water body directly affects aeration performance. The residence time is related to the bubble flow path and hence the bubble penetration depth (HP) into a tank. The tank depth is an important factor with regard to the plunging water jet aeration since aeration performance increases with increasing water depth. There is a limit, however, because the penetrating air bubbles will not go to infinite depths. In this study, HP depending on the nozzle type and Vj were examined.

Experimental Methods
Experimental Apparatus A schematic flow diagram of the experimental arrangement used in the study is shown in Fig. 1. The apparatus consists of a centrifugal pump (0.850 kW, Pedrollo Co. Ltd.) and a water tank 1.0 m long, 1.0 m deep and 0.70 m wide, with glass walls. The total water volume in this water jet system, which also included the volume in circulation pipes, was held constant at 0.500 m3. Nozzles were made of copper with dO = 8 mm. Cross section of nozzle outlets depending on the nozzle type was changed in the experiments. Lj and were selected at 15 cm and 45 respectively. Details of the nozzles are shown in Fig. 2. Tap water was used throughout the experiments. The water in the tank was deoxygenated by the sodium sulfite method. Theoretically, 7.9 g/m3 of sodium sulfite is required to remove 1 g/m3 of DO. Based on the DO of the test tap water, the approximate sodium sulfite requirements are estimated (a 1020% excess is used). Usually, addition of cobalt II chloride is required at a dosage of 3.3 g/m3 as a catalyst for the deoxygenation reaction. In this study, 70 g/m3 of sodium sulfite and 3.3 g/m3 of cobalt II chloride were

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Fig. 1. Schematic flow diagram of experimental apparatus: (1) water tank; (2) recirculation pump; (3) water rotameter; (4) thermometer; (5) DO meter; (6) DO probe; (7) nozzle; (8) bubble trap; (9) air rotameter; (10) vacuum pump; and (11) scale.

added. Salt content was consequently low and was monitored constantly during the experiments to prevent any buildup of residues caused by the deoxydant chemicals added to the water. Therefore it might be concluded that the presence of chemicals did not affect the results. DO concentration of the receiving tank was analyzed at constant intervals with a DO meter (Hanna Instruments, HI 9142). The DO meter was calibrated daily prior to use by the air calibration method. Calibration procedures followed those recommended by the manufacturer. The calibration was performed in humid air under ambient conditions. Nozzle Types Three nozzle types (circular, ellipse, rectangle duct with rounded ends) changing according to cross section of nozzle outlet were used. The cross section of nozzle inlet was circular. The ellipse nozzle was produced by cutting a circular nozzle outlet at a 45o angle. The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle was also produced by contracting circular nozzle outlet. For this nozzle type, nozzle contraction ratio (a/dO) was selected at 1.2 (Table 1 and Fig. 2).

Results and Discussion

Bubble Penetration Depth HP produced by the water jet, which was defined as the vertical distance from the water surface to the lower end of the submerged biphasic

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Fig. 2. Details of the nozzle types.

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Table 1. Dimension of nozzle types

Nozzle Type Circular nozzle Ellipse nozzle Rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle

dO (mm) 8 8 8

Lj (cm) 15 15 15

(degree) 45 45 45

A 10-5 (m2) 4.41 6.00 4.36

LN (cm) 5 5 5

region in the water, was measured with a scale fitted to the tank wall. Figure 3 shows the typical results of HP in which HP is plotted versus Vj for various nozzle types. Based on the results it was concluded that HP increases with increasing Vj. The increase in HP with increase in Vj may be attributed to the increased momentum of the water jet. The data points show that HP for the ellipse nozzle is higher than for the circular and the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzles due to increasing of the water

Fig. 3. Effect of water jet velocity and nozzle type on bubble penetration depth.

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jet momentum. The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle has the lowest HP due to expansion of free water jet. Air Entrainment Rate For measurement of the air entrainment rate, the bubbles from obliquely impacting water jets were collected under the bubble trap. An obliquely impacting water jet introduces a horizontal velocity component in the water and the hole created by the water jet in the water gets larger. Figure 4 shows the typical effects of Vj and nozzle type on QA in which QA is plotted versus Vj for various nozzle types. The increase of QA with increases of Vj may be attributed to the increased momentum of the water jet flow and increased contacting perimeter between the water jet flow and the water surface, and increased water jet surface roughness (). The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle was observed to have the higher values of QA than the other nozzle types. The circular nozzle had the lowest values of QA among all nozzle types. Air Entrainment Curve The air entrainment curve represents the entrainment ratio (QA/Qw). It is a measure of performance of the plunging water jets. Figure 5 shows

Fig. 4. Effect of nozzle types on air entrainment rate.

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effect of Vj and nozzle type on air entrainment. (QA/Qw) is plotted versus Vj depending on nozzle types. The ellipse and the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle showed higher performance than the circular nozzle due to higher air entrainment rate. Free Water Jet Expansion The change in effective jet diameter at the plunge point was studied by Evans et al. (1996) as a function of free jet length for circular nozzle. In this study, effect of Vj on expansion of water jet was examined for rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle. Figure 6 shows expansion of water jet. Figure 7 shows effect of Vj on water jet expansion ratio (aj/a). The increase in aj/a with increases in Vj may be attributed to the increased air friction forces. In any case, this nozzle type carries more QA due to increase of Uj. Free water jet expansion width (aj) was measured between 10 mm and 50 mm with millimetric scale at the plunge point. Circumference of Water Jet Some theoretical models predicting air entrainment rates were presented by Sene (1988). The model considerations of Sene (1988) provide so

Fig. 5. Effect of nozzle type on air entrainment curve.

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Fig. 6. Free water jet expansion for rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle.

far the most convincing, although rather simplified, approach to predicting QA by plunging water jets (Bin 1993). The quantitative derivation of QA is based on balancing the pressure gradient in the air layer by the shear forces exerted on the air by the receiving flows (Fig. 8). This leads to the equation for circular water jets.

Fig. 7. Effect of water jet velocity on expansion of water jet for rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle.

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Fig. 8. Details of free water jet.

QA ~ ( dj) Vj L or QA ~

1 2ma ( dj) Vj3/2 r g sin q 3

(1)

Where dj is diameter of the circular water jet at the impact point; is thickness of the air layer; a is viscosity of the air; is density of the water; and g is gravitational acceleration. Equation 1 demonstrates that QA can be scaled up by relating it to Uj in the case of circular water jets, i.e., QA/( dj). Similarly, for planar water jets the air entrainment rate is referred to the unit width of the water jet (aj) at the impact point. The results of Fig. 4 are replotted in Fig. 9 in the form suggested by equation 1. The correlation between theory and experiment is very good for all nozzle types. It was found from the experimental results that QA increases with increasing Vj and varying nozzle types. The increase in QA with increase in Vj and variation of nozzle types may be described by the increased Uj.

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Fig. 9. Effect of water jet circumference on air entrainment depending on nozzle type.

Oxygen Transfer Coefficient The values of kLa were determined by equation 2 based on the liquid phase concentration changes, which can be established using the following assumptions: i) ii) iii) iv) Constant volume in the system; Perfect mixing in a liquid phase; Constant equilibrium concentration of the solute in a liquid phase; and Negligible effect of free surface transfer. ln (CS-Ct)/(CS-CO) = - kLat (2)

Where Ct and CS are the instantaneous and the saturation DO concentrations in the water, respectively. Equation 2 shows that the kLa value can be obtained from the slope of the straight line in plot ln (CS-Ct)/(CS-CO) versus contact time (t). In this study, kLa was measured by varying Vj for various nozzle types at the water tank bottom. As a result, kLa was found to tend to increase with increases in Vj, as illustrated in Fig. 10. This may be explained by the increased QA and the increased bubble penetration depth.

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Oxygen Transfer Efficiency OE is defined as the ratio of oxygen transfer rate (OR) to net power of water jet (Nj) times the total volume of water (V). Experiments with all three nozzle types indicate that Vj is the most important factor influencing the oxygen transfer efficiency. OE decreases with increased Vj, as shown in Fig. 11. The variation in OE depending on nozzle type may be explained by variation in expansion of water jet. Expansion of water jet increased the values of QA and hence OE. The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle had higher values of OE than the other nozzle types. The circular nozzle was observed to have the lowest values of OE among all nozzle types.

Conclusions
A series of laboratory experiments have been carried out to measure the aeration performance of different nozzle types over a range of velocities between 2 and 20 m/s with Lj = 0.15 m, dO = 8 mm, and = 45. The following conclusions may be drawn about plunging water jets.

Fig. 10. Effect of nozzle type on oxygen transfer coefficient.

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Fig. 11. Effect of nozzle type on oxygen transfer efficiency.

1. 2.

3.

4.

5. 6.

The nozzle shape has been found to be an important factor influencing aeration performance. HP increased with increasing Vj. HP is highest with the ellipse nozzle. The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle produced the lowest HP due to water jet expansion. These results showed that the ellipse nozzle is the most efficient for aeration of deep tanks. The air entrainment rate increased with increasing Vj. The rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle produced the highest air entrainment rate due to water jet expansion. The volumetric flow rate is lowest with the circular nozzle. These results showed that the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle is the most suitable for applications where high bubble concentration is required. The water jet expansion is greatest for the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle. For a range of velocities between 3 and 11 m/s, aj/a changed between 1.5 and 4 in the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle. kLa was found to increase with increases in Vj. kLa is the highest for the ellipse nozzle and lowest for the circular nozzle. OE decreased with increasing Vj. Experimental results showed that the rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle has better OE than the other nozzle types due to higher air entrainment rate. OE is the lowest for the circular nozzle.

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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this work was provided by FIRAT University Research Fund (FNAF).

Symbols
a, b a/dO aj aj/a A CO CS Ct CS* dj dO DO g HP kLa (kLa)20 Lj LN Nj OR OE Oh ReLj QA QW QA/QW t Uj V Vj a Dimension according to nozzle geometry, m Nozzle contraction ratio for rectangle duct with rounded ends nozzle Free water jet expansion width at impact point, m Free water jet expansion ratio Nozzle cross section area, m2 Initial oxygen concentration (t = 0), mg L-1 Oxygen concentration of saturated water under given conditions, mg L-1 Oxygen concentration of water at a given point of time, mg L-1 Concentration of saturated water under standard conditions, mg L-1 dj Diameter of circular water jet at impact point, m, ( -1 = 0.0085 do Oh 0.83 ReLj0.63) Nozzle diameter, m Dissolved oxygen concentration, mg L-1 Gravitational acceleration, m s-2 Bubble penetration depth, m Oxygen transfer coefficient, h-1 Oxygen transfer coefficient, under standard conditions, h-1 Length of water jet, m Length of nozzle, m Water jet power, W, (Nj = 1/2 QW Vj2) Oxygen transfer rate under standard conditions, mg h-1 L-1, [OR = (kLa)20 CS*] Oxygen transfer efficiency, kg O2 (kW h)-1, (OE = OR V/Nj) Ohnesorge or stability number, (Oh = m r dos ), dimensionless Jet Reynolds number, (ReLj = r Vj Lj/), dimensionless Air entrainment rate, m3 s-1 Water discharge, m3 s-1 Entrainment ratio Contact time, s Circumference of water jet, m Total volume of water, m3 Water jet velocity, m s-1 Plunge angle of water jet, degree Water jet surface roughness, m Density of water, kg m-3 Viscosity of air, Pa s or Ns m-2 Thickness of air layer, m Surface tension, N m-1

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References
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