The flow quality around the circuit of the boundary layer wind tunnel being built at the St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory will be investigated using static and stagnation pressure tubes, hot-wire anemometry, pressure transducers, and flow visualization equipment. Distributions of mean velocity and turbulence intensity will be obtained at a number of cross-sections so that the performance of the contraction, the first diffuser, the first and second corner turning vanes, the wide-angle diffuser, the fan system, and the turbulence management devices can be quantitatively ascertained. Flow patterns and causes of flow unsteadiness and separation will be studied using the flow visualization equipment and pressure fluctuation measurements together with hot-wire measurements. The supercomputer facilities at the University of Minnesota will be used for flow calculations for the contraction and vaned bents, and the results will be compared with the experimentally measured performance. The P.I. is highly qualified to carry out this project. A Standard Grant is recommended for one year only in the amount of $80,514.
