Multiple-plume displacement ventilation ($h_{\ast },b_{\ast }$)

Suppose $n$ independent axisymmetric pure plumes share total buoyancy flux $B$ equally, have negligible source volume flux, and are supplied with a separate ambient ventilation flux $F$ at floor level. Their combined flux is $P(h)=\lambda n^{2/3}{B}^{1/3}{h}^{5/3}$. Volume conservation at a steady displacement-ventilation interface height and buoyancy flux conservation giveA positive two-layer state needs $0<h_{\ast }<H$, sources small relative to $h_{\ast }$, and plumes sufficiently separated to remain independent. Splitting the sources increases total fluid entrainment and reduces the interface height by $n^{-2/5}$. A finite source flux cannot simultaneously be neglected and supply all the replacement air; no steady displacement layer without ambient supply explains this restriction.