Designing a Wind Tunnel: Homework Assignment and Bernoulli Principle Explanation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design and construction of a wind tunnel capable of generating wind speeds of 20 m/s, focusing on the application of the Bernoulli principle and the feasibility of using different types of fans or compressors. Participants explore various design considerations, materials, and equations relevant to the project.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the wind tunnel chamber must be sealed and suggests using transparent materials like plastic for the test section.
  • Another participant mentions that the fan needs to establish a pressure difference to account for friction, implying that it might be feasible to achieve the desired wind speed.
  • A participant proposes using a compressor instead of a fan but expresses uncertainty about converting the compressor's pressure to wind speed.
  • Concerns are raised about whether a compressor can provide sufficient airflow for a functional wind tunnel, with a suggestion that a small pipe could achieve the desired speed more easily.
  • One participant discusses using the Continuity Equation to predict output velocity, questioning if it is the correct approach for their setup.
  • Another participant notes that while density does not have to be constant, it is a good approximation for most setups, and emphasizes that pipe design will influence velocity.
  • A participant presents two design ideas, questioning the suitability of wood for construction and the use of acrylic for the test section, while also calculating potential air delivery rates from a fan.
  • It is pointed out that the air delivery value from the fan requires the full cross-section, and that airflow will be reduced due to pressure buildup behind the fan in the wind tunnel design.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the feasibility of using fans versus compressors, the design of the wind tunnel, and the application of relevant equations. There is no consensus on the best approach or design, and multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations related to the availability of materials and the design challenges posed by the size of the fan and the need for a proper tube. There are also unresolved questions regarding the accuracy of calculations and assumptions about airflow and pressure differences.

shinnsohai
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Homework Statement


Recently I've been given an assignment
Build a Wind Tunnel(That can generated wind speed of 20m/s)
-Izzit the chamber(whole tunnel) must be sealed ?
-The material of the wind tunnel must be transparent(something like plastic?)on the test section??



Homework Equations


Bernoulli EQN
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/%E2%80%8Chbase/imgmec/bernoul.gif
Copyrights towards hyperphysics

Is there any relevant equation that I left out?


The Attempt at a Solution


Due to not enough money$$
I am planning to use ordinary standing fan to do so...but will it reach 20m/s ??
Just now at the lab, I've taken a stationary fan and test it with a anemometer
the maximum that i can get is 6 to 7m/s(tested just on putting infront of the fan)
http://www.tecpel.com/My%20Pictures/avm-702s.jpg

-Based on the Bernoulli principle, by decreasing the cross-sectional area it will increase the speed of air(or other flows). Perhaps it will increase the speed as the area close down

Currently Drawing the concept...To Be updated soon.:-p

Sorry for the broken language
@_@
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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To use such a tunnel, the fan has to establish some pressure difference to account for friction... but it might be possible.
 
Thanks for replying mbf
From what you wrote, I do think that the fan could actually establish a pressure difference as if the wind tunnel are totally closed and fan output is fixed closely on the input of the tunnel
But is it okay to use fan? due to the fan cross-sectional area kind ar BIG and to find a tube that fix the fan is quite hard, can't seen over the hardware shop.

I'd have an another idea...
Instead of using fan, can i just use a compressor ? but how do I covert the compressor's pressure to m/s ??
free-shipping-Car-font-b-air-b-font-font-b-pump-b-font-car-font-b.jpg

Something like this ??
But the output of this kind of compressor is so small
only few inch @@
 
I'm not sure if the compressor gets enough air flow for a reasonable wind tunnel. It is possible to get 20m/s easily with a small pipe, however.

due to the fan cross-sectional area kind ar BIG and to find a tube that fix the fan is quite hard, can't seen over the hardware shop.
Well, that is an engineering problem. Maybe you can use something like a box where one side gets the fan and the other side gets the tunnel.
 
I think , I could Predict the output velocity(that I wanted to calculate)
by using
Continuity Equation ??
as
ρ x A1 x V1 = ρ x A2 x V2
(Since the liquid/air density should be the same)
A1 x V1 = A2 x V2
So I Have Area 1 and Area 2
and of coz the Velocity at the beginning

Am I Using the Correct Equation for this case?
IM Still A Newbie in applying formulae to real cases
 
ρ does not have to be constant, but for most setups this should be a good approximation.
and of coz the Velocity at the beginning
Well, that velocity will be influenced by your pipe design.
 
BUMP!
Sorry for super duper late reply due to no internet connection:-p

Anyway I'd comeup with two design. which is better?
fan.png

I am thinking of it , the chocolate part is made up of wood?
will wood eventually works?(FINE wood boards)
wooden_board.jpg

something like this.

As if for the test part, it should be made up of acrylic(Perspex)

for the fan.

http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/10/12/flowpro-q-standard-premium-cooling-fan-25in-2-3-hp-9500-cfm-model-11409_3197984_100.jpg
http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/flowpro-premium-cooling-fan-25in-2-3-hp-9500-cfm-model-11409-reviews#Description

With Air Delivery CFM 8,100-9,500
And The Volume of test area of 15cm x 15cm x15cm
I'll get the max of 70m/s?
is this for real?
By using the converter
air.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Your air delivery value requires the full cross-section of the fan - with your wind tunnel design, air flow will be reduced (as air pressure builds up behind the fan).
 

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