Wind Tunnel Power Requirements

In summary, the conversation discusses designing a wind tunnel for a final year project and the power requirements for the fan. The speaker understands the need for a fan with higher pressure rise to overcome pressure drops throughout the tunnel. They also mention calculating individual pressure losses and the total power required as the sum of these losses. However, they are unsure if this is the total power required, as they are also concerned about the power needed to maintain the flow with no losses. The wind tunnel has a 12"x12" test section and is designed for a 25m/s wind speed. The conversation also mentions the difference between open and closed loop wind tunnels and the need for the fan to accelerate the air in an open loop system. The speaker has calculated
  • #1
lifenexus
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I am designing a wind tunnel for my final year project. I am am now a little lost at the power requirements area. To select a fan, i understand that i have to overcome the pressure drops through out the tunnel by choosing a fan that has a higher pressure rise. So far i have figured out that i have to calculate individual pressure losses through out the various sections of the tunnel and the total loss should be the sum of the individual section losses. And therefore the power required should be pressure loss x flow rate.

Now what i want to know is, is that really the total power required? Dont i have to be bothered about the power required to maintain the flow if there were no losses? (ie, Power = actual power required + power required to over come losses)

My wind tunnel has a 12"x12" test section and i am designing it for a 25m/s wind speed.

Could someone assist me regarding this? Also I am a mechanical engineering student and a aviation is a new field to me.
 
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  • #2
Depends: is this an open or closed loop wind tunnel? In an open wind tunnel, the fan also has to accelerate the air. In a closed one, it just has to keep it moving.
 
  • #3
Its an open loop one. So about the acceleration, i have calculated the loss coefficients.
And then i got the pressure drop using K=[itex]\frac{\DeltaP}{q}[/itex]
Where q is dynamic pressure. Does this dynamic pressure stand for the pressure required for the flow?
Its Pstatic + P dynamic = P total right?
 

1. What is a wind tunnel power requirement?

A wind tunnel power requirement is the amount of power needed to generate the necessary air flow and pressure within a wind tunnel for testing purposes. This power is typically measured in horsepower (hp) or kilowatts (kW).

2. How is the wind tunnel power requirement determined?

The wind tunnel power requirement is determined by several factors, including the size and shape of the wind tunnel, the desired air flow velocity, and the type of test being conducted. It is typically calculated using complex equations and simulations.

3. Why is the wind tunnel power requirement important?

The wind tunnel power requirement is important because it directly affects the performance and accuracy of the wind tunnel. If the power requirement is not met, it can result in incorrect or unreliable test results.

4. Can the wind tunnel power requirement be reduced?

Yes, the wind tunnel power requirement can be reduced by implementing design changes or using more efficient equipment. However, reducing the power requirement may also affect the performance and accuracy of the wind tunnel.

5. How does the wind tunnel power requirement differ for different types of wind tunnels?

The wind tunnel power requirement can vary significantly depending on the type of wind tunnel. For example, a subsonic wind tunnel may require less power than a supersonic wind tunnel due to differences in air flow velocity. Additionally, the power requirement for a closed-circuit wind tunnel may be lower than an open-circuit wind tunnel due to recirculation of air.

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