Effectiveness of turbulent fountains in frost mitigation and pollution control.

This article investigates the effectiveness of turbulent fountains—vertical buoyant jets opposing their initial velocity—in mitigating frost and controlling pollution within stratified ambient fluids, focusing on their impact on temperature distribution and contaminant return near ground level. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations validated by laboratory experiments, the study analyzes how fountain parameters, specifically the Froude number (Fr) and turbulence intensity (u′/U), influence the average temperature increase in lower ambient layers and the concentration of ejected fluid returning to the surface. Results identify an optimal semi-collapse regime where the fountain fluid mixes with warmer upper layers before descending, maximizing temperature rise near the ground while reducing contaminant concentration. The findings emphasize tailoring fountain characteristics to specific environmental goals, such as frost protection or pollution control, and provide predictive tools applicable to atmospheric conditions typical of radiation frost events.