Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / iii / Paper 84 / 6 / b / Solution

Let $z_f(t)$ be the filling-box first front, with $z_f(0)=H$. Below it the original fluid has not yet been through the plume. In the filling box model, the turbulent plume adjusts rapidly and occupies a negligible fraction of the room's area. A point source with negligible source volume flux supplies $Q(z)=C{F}_s^{1/3}{z}^{5/3}$. All its volume crossing the front grows the processed region, so volume conservation givesPut $a_p=\pi C{F}_s^{1/3}/A_c$. Integrating $d(z_f^{-2/3})/dt=2a_p/3$ yieldsThe first front approaches the floor only as $t\to \infty$. A nonzero source volume flux would require an equal exhaust to keep the room volume fixed; it is treated in the following parts.