Estimation of Flow Uniformity in Water Tunnel by Using CFD Analysis

It is easier to view flow visualization by using a water tunnel rather than a smoke wind tunnel because of low speed at same Reynolds number. Using a water tunnel also produces more definite flow visualization by the use of various color dyes. The flow uniformity in test section is very significant for accuracy of the test because most flow experiments elicit results through the installation of a model in uniform flow. The purpose of small-size desktop-type water tunnel is not to produce quantitative measurements, but rather to give a visualization of the fluid flow phenomenon. However, uniformity in the test section affects the accuracy of the results. Accordingly, this research estimates uniformity in a water tunnel test section by using the commercially available CFD code FLUENT. Results of the CFD analysis show that the flow uniformity of the test section is good.