Experiments in liquid-spray physics

Waves on the ocean surface interacting with solid objects create complex and visually spectacular patterns of spray. The solid object can be a breakwater, drilling rig, or a ship. Another spray-related case is the presence of large industrial tanks of liquid, and often dangerous liquids, that exist throughout the world. These tanks are becoming obsolete in great numbers. When such tanks burst it is often catastrophic. Recent experience has shown, that when such tanks burst, the resulting spray may shoot several hundreds of meters from the tank—distances that are not readily explained. These tanks often have a wall or dam (containment barrier) surrounding them in an attempt to contain a violent breach or leakage. When the tank bursts it is akin to the dam-break problem. A wall of water rushes forth and impinges on the barrier creating spray. Previous experiments (McHugh and Watt, 1998) considered the related configuration of a solitary wave impinging on a vertical wall. Present experiments discussed will include tank experiments that more closely model the bursting tank case and smaller-scale experiments that attempt to identify some of the fundamental mechanisms of spray formation.