The effect of spreading on vertically directed jet impinging a sharp density interface*

A large existing body of literature categorizes the flow behavior of negatively buoyant jets and fountains and characterizes their flow structure into distinct regimes and their maximum penetration depth predominately as a function of the Richardson number. In the present study, similar flow regimes have been identified and determined to be a function of Richardson number based on jet properties at the interface. This ``interface Richardson number'' increases as the jet is separated from the interface based on a jet spreading factor. The study uses immiscible fluids (silicone oil and a glycerin water mixture) with matched indices of refraction.