Abstract: The k-epsilon model was applied to establish the mathematical model of vertical round buoyant jet discharging into confined depth, and it was solved using the Hybrid Finite Analytic Method (HFAM). The numerical predictions demonstrate two generic flow patterns for different jet discharge and environmental parameters: (ⅰ)a stable buoyant flow discharge with the mixed fluid leaving the near-field warm in a surface warm water layer; (ⅱ)an unstable buoyant flow discharge with recirculation and re-entrainment of warm water in the near field. Furthermore, the mixing characters of vertical round buoyant jet were numerically predicted. Both the stability criterion and numerical predictions of bulk dilutions are in excellent agreement with Lee and Jirka's experiments and theory.

Key words: round buoyant jet, stability, numerical simulation, mixing character