Repeating Water Tunnel Studies in Wind Tunnel

In summary: Same goes for other methods as well. Smoke visualization works great in wind tunnels, but naphthalene sublimation only works in air. Temperature- and pressure-sensitive paints only work in water.
  • #1
doubled
27
0
Is there any significance in repeating a water tunnel study in a wind tunnel?
If so, would the results be publishable or would it just be considered repetition of a previously published water tunnel study?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
There really is no significance if both flows are incompressible and at the same Reynolds number. All it really means is that the air really was incompressible. The main reason you would want to use a water tunnel would be if you need to reach a flow regime that you were simply unable to achieve for one reason or another in air or if you for some reason needed it to be incredibly easy to do PIV or various flow visualization techniques or something along those lines. Otherwise they are essentially interchangeable in most cases where they can both be used.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
boneh3ad said:
There really is no significance if both flows are incompressible and at the same Reynolds number. All it really means is that the air really was incompressible. The main reason you would want to use a water tunnel would be if you need to reach a flow regime that you were simply unable to achieve for one reason or another in air or if you for some reason needed it to be incredibly easy to do PIV or various flow visualization techniques or something along those lines. Otherwise they are essentially interchangeable in most cases where they can both be used.

Btw, why are flow visualization techniques easier in water tunnels?
 
  • #4
Do you watch Mythbusters? Have you seen them inject neutrally buoyant dye into the water tunnel and watch it flow over their models? You can't really do that with air. Nothing visible is neutrally buoyant in air like that.
 
  • #5
boneh3ad said:
Do you watch Mythbusters? Have you seen them inject neutrally buoyant dye into the water tunnel and watch it flow over their models? You can't really do that with air. Nothing visible is neutrally buoyant in air like that.
I don't watch Mythbusters.
Oh I see. I've never tried dye visualization. Have you tried smoke visualization using the smoke-wire technique in Lex Smits' Flow Visualization book? I presume that can only be done in wind tunnels?
 
  • #6
Sure I've used a smoke wire, which is all well and good, but it isn't truly neutrally buoyant so it doesn't work below a certain speed. The smoke particles will just settle.

Of course on the contrary, things like naphthalene sublimation only work in air flow. I'd imagine that temperature- and pressure-sensitive paints work in water, but I've never seen or heard of it being done.

Really, the reason to use water is if you need the match conditions that water can give you. Same goes for air. If you application would work in either, use the one that gives you the best chance of making the measurements you want.
 

What is a repeating water tunnel study?

A repeating water tunnel study is a scientific experiment that involves testing the aerodynamic properties of a model in a wind tunnel while simultaneously subjecting it to water flow. This method allows for the simulation of real-life conditions in a controlled laboratory setting.

Why is it important to conduct repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels?

Repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels allows researchers to accurately study the effects of both air and water flow on a model. This is crucial for understanding and predicting the behavior of objects in real-world scenarios, such as aircrafts or ships, which are subjected to both air and water forces simultaneously.

What are the advantages of using a repeating water tunnel for aerodynamic studies?

One of the main advantages of using a repeating water tunnel for aerodynamic studies is the ability to replicate and control real-life conditions. This allows for more accurate and reliable results compared to traditional wind tunnel studies. Additionally, the use of water in the tunnel can provide a higher degree of precision and resolution in the data collected.

What are some challenges of conducting repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels?

One of the main challenges of conducting repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels is the complexity of the setup and instrumentation. The use of water and air together requires specialized equipment and techniques, which can be costly and time-consuming to set up. Additionally, the interaction between the two fluids can be difficult to control and may introduce unexpected variables.

How can repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels benefit industries?

Repeating water tunnel studies in wind tunnels can provide valuable insights and data for industries such as aerospace and marine engineering. The results of these studies can inform the design and development of more efficient and effective products, leading to advancements in technology and improved safety for both air and sea travel.

Similar threads

  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
927
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
12
Views
895
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
844
Back
Top