Numerical Modeling of a Round Jet Discharged into Random Waves

Coastal disposal of waste water can be idealized as the problem of a jet under random waves. Understanding of this phenomenon is important for engineering design and environmental impact assessment. The present study aims to simulate such phenomenon by using a 3D numerical model based on the solution of the spatially filtered and σ-transformed Navier–Stokes equations with dynamic sub-grid scale model of turbulence. The numerical solution procedures are split into three steps: advection, diffusion and pressure propagation, and a Lagrange–Euler method is used to track the free surface. Cases of vertical jet in stagnant water, pure random waves and vertical jet in random waves are simulated with the same grid system for comparative study. Different methods of generating jet inflow turbulence have been tested and the method of jet azimuthal modes is found to be the optimum. The numerical results reproduce the distinct characteristics of jet in waves, including faster decay of centerline velocity, wider lateral spreading and the occurrence of wave tractive mechanism.