| Abstract: | This paper presents the results of a numerical study of laminar axisymmetric plumes that emanate from a point source of mass
diffusion. Various flow configurations that arise in mass diffusion plumes are identified. In the ambient, the cases of constant
concentration and stable density stratification are considered. The governing conservation equations of mass, momentum, and
species diffusion are cast in finite-difference form using an explicit scheme. Boundary layer and Boussinesq approximations
are incorporated. Upwind-differencing is employed for convective terms. Velocity and concentration fields are obtained for
various values of Schmidt number, and concentration stratification levels in the ambient. The results are explained in terms
of the basic physical mechanisms that govern these flows. The complex interactions between the buoyancy and the Schmidt number,
and the stratification parameter are discussed. |
