Development and Implementation of PIV Systems with Selective Particle Seeding For Production Wind Tunnel Testing
Abstract
This thesis presents designs and implementations of 2-D Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), stereo-PIV, and selective seeding that enable application of PIV in large-scale, production-type wind tunnels. The PIV systems use conventional tools and methods to capture flow characteristics in the 7 foot x 10 foot test section of the Oran W. Nicks Low Speed Wind Tunnel at Texas A&M University (LSWT). The systems are designed to measure velocity fields noninvasively to prevent affecting flow quality. Validation tests demonstrate that in-plane velocity measurements obtained using the 2-D PIV system have measurement uncertainty below 0.5% which meets industry standards. Validation tests of stereoscopic PIV produced a similar result with a measurement uncertainty below 0.5% for in-plane velocities and below 5% for the out of plane velocity. Both values also meet their corresponding standards. A selective seeding system is implemented as a proof of concept for a method to overcome particle seeding challenges associated with very large-scale facilities. Velocity deficit measurements show the system does not significantly impact flow quality in the test section. Stereo PIV measurements captured behind a model demonstrate that the seeding column produced provides PIV data of equivalent quality to traditional, flooded-tunnel approaches.
Citation
Leber, Edward James (2020). Development and Implementation of PIV Systems with Selective Particle Seeding For Production Wind Tunnel Testing. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /191733.