Specifications
Test Section
- Max speed = 10 m/s (32.8 ft/s)
- Length = 1 m (3.3. ft)
- Cross section: 152×152 mm (6”×6”)
Overview
- 150 hp motor
- 7.3 ft (height)× 21 ft (length)
- Max pressure: 30 psi
Description
The Experimental Flow Physics Lab (EFPL) Large Water Tunnel at Oklahoma State University is a low-turbulence, recirculating water tunnel (Elbing et al., 2018). The test section can have acrylic walls for optical access or solid (stainless steel or anodized aluminum) walls for rigidity. The test section is 1.1 m long with a 152 mm (6-inch) square cross-section. A maximum empty test section speed of 10 m/s is achieved with a horizontal split case centrifugal pump (S10B12A-4, Patterson) that is powered by a 112 kW (150 hp) motor (MP44G3909, Baldor). Flow conditioning with a tandem configuration of honeycombs and settling-chambers, an 8.5:1 area contraction and gradual expansion in diffuser sections results in an inlet turbulence level < 0.3% and negligible mean shear within the test-section core. Additional details on the design and characterization of the facility is available in Daniel (2014) and Farsiani et al. (2016).
Documentation
Libin Daniel (2014) “Design of a high-Reynolds number, multiphase water tunnel facility,” M.S. Thesis, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, USA.
BR Elbing, L Daniel, Y Farsiani & CE Petrin (2018) “Design and validation of a recirculating, high-Reynolds number water tunnel,” ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 140(8), 081102 (doi:10.1115/1.4039509).
Y Farsiani & BR Elbing (2016) “Characterization of a custom-designed, high-Reynolds number water tunnel,” 2016 ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, FEDSM2016-7866, Track 10 Forum on Fluid Measurements and Instrumentation, Washington, DC (July 10-14).
