Environmental Flow (EnFlo)
University of Surrey
The EnFlo laboratory was established to simulate a wide range of atmospheric boundary layer conditions at a laboratory scale and apply them to the study of flow and dispersion processes. The EnFlo wind tunnel is the only wind tunnel in the UK, and one of a few worldwide, designed specifically for this purpose. It has a working section that is 20 m long, 1.5 m high and 3.5 m wide, and features a comprehensive inlet flow and surface heating and cooling systems for the generation of neutral, stable and unstable boundary layers and neutral and stable free flows.
Surrey’s EnFlo facility works with defence organisations to prepare for potential chemical attacks in urban environments. It can also detect pollution spread in urban environments. This includes noxious fumes that can cause long-term harm to cyclists and pedestrians.
- Location:
- Surrey
- Test Section 1 size:
- 20 x 3.5 x 1.5 m
- Operational Status:
- Active
- Number and Type of Staff:
- Scientific: 4-6
Technical Support: 2
- Test support:
- In-lab 3D-printing, CNC machine, hot-wire cutter, and fully-equipped workshop for wind tunnel model design, manufacture and modification capability.
- Designation:
- Meteorological Wind Tunnel
- Performance:
-
Maximum Flow Speed: 0.5 m/s to 5 m/s
Reynolds No: 3.3x105/m (max)
Total Pressure: Ambient
Pressure: Up to 15 N/m2
Temperature: Inlet and surface heating/surface cooling
Stable and unstable boundary layer simulation
Temperature differences, surface and air flow: +100K to -60
Run Time: Continous
- Testing Capabilities:
-
Model Support: Turntable: centred at 14 m from inlet
Outputs: Simulation of a range of deep boundary layers with stability from stable (cold wall, hot fluid) to unstable (hot wall), that represent conditions in the atmospheric boundary at scales from about 1:200 to 1:1000.
Measurement of mean and turbulent momentum, mass and heat fluxes (simultaneously), surface mean and fluctuating pressures.
Fully automatic operation and data archive, plus real-time data processing and visualisation.
EnFlo is a specialist facility unique in the UK and is one of the few in the world that allows experiments to be carried out in controlled conditions simulating the Earth's atmosphere in non-neutral conditions.
- Specialist Rigs:
- Fine control of boundary-layer temperature profile for non-neutral atmospheric flows.
Fully-automated laser-Doppler anemometry and tracer concentration scanning capability, a six-component force balance, a five-axis traversing system and a suite of other fully-automated instrumentation systems for quick-turnaround, high-yield experimental testing.
- Equipment:
- LDA: 1,2,3 component, Dantec fibre-optic systems
PIV: Tomographic PIV system (5.5 Mpixel sCMOS cameras) - LaVision - Planar PIV system - TSI
FFID: 4 channels fast flame ionization detector system (concentration measurement) - Cambustion
HWA: Multi-channel Dantec HWA systems
Pressure: Purpose-built mutli-channel pressure scanners
Others:
Miniature seven-hole probes
Cold-wire anemometer for temperature measurement
Thermistor
Capability for momentum, heat and mass flux measurement
Surrey Sensors: www.surreysensors.com
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