Taibah University

College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Department

Design and manufacture an educational low speed wind tunnel

By

Abdullah H. Al-Muzaini
Mustafa A . Al-Shanqiti
Rayan R. Bakhsh
Sulaiman H. Al-Mohammadi

Advisor
Dr. Nasser Ahmed
 Contents
Introduction
Aim and Objectives
Customer requirements
Alternative design
Detailed Design
CAD and Simulation
Budget
Future work
Subsonic Wind Tunnel
An extremely useful tool for industry and academia.

What is subsonic?

Components

Figure 1: Wind Tunnel Components

Aim and Objectives
Aim
Design and manufacture a subsonic wind tunnel to be used as an academic
lab equipment.

Objectives
To gather needed information and resources.
To design the wind tunnel.
To have a simulation and CAD model.
To complete the manufacturing stage.
To submit the product to Taibah University.
Customer Requirements
1. Sub-Sonic Wind tunnel
2. Fan
3. flow conditioner
4. Test Section
5. Sensor and Control
6. Stand
 Design Brief
System Subsonic Wind Tunnel

Sub- Contraction Test Diffuser Drive

Systems Section Section

Contraction Test Section Diffuser Fan

Body Body Body
Components

Honeycomb Fan Speed

Structure Controller

Figure 2: Subsonic Wind Tunnel Design Brief

Wind Tunnel Circuit Type
Table 1: Wind Tunnel Circuit Type Comparison
Wind tunnel Type Advantages
Construction cost is much less.
Easier to build.
Perfect for educational purposes.
Open Wind Tunnel If smoke flow visualization is used,
no need for clean the tunnel.
The flow can be well controlled.
Less energy required.
Less environmental noise.
Closed Wind Tunnel
Disadvantages
The wind tunnel size depend
on the room size, it requires
screening at the inlet to get
high quality flow.
It tends to be noisy.
Not very accurate.
Construction cost is much
higher.
More complex design.
If smoke flow visualization is
used, there must be a way to
clean the tunnel.
The temperature of air may
increase; it may require a
cooling system.
Wind Tunnel Body Material
Table 2: Alternative Wind Tunnel Materials

Properties Fiberglass Aluminum

Manufacturing Process Molding Bending

Elongation 1.0% to 2.5% 10 to 25%

Density, Kg/m3 1281 to 1762 2600 to 2800

Life expectancy +80 years +20 years

Fan Type
Table 3: Fan Type Alternatives

Type Volume Flow Rate Static Pressure

Resistance
Axial High Low

Centrifugal Low High

Table 4: Fan Motor Type

Motor Type Advantages Disadvantages

DC Easer control More expensive

For small applications Bigger
AC Cheaper Expensive control
Smaller
Fan Location
Suckdown wind tunnel

Blower wind tunnel

Figure 3: Different Fan Locations[1]

Flow Conditioner

Figure 4: Circular and Hexagonal Structure[2]

Test Section Material
Table 5: Alternatives of the Test Section Material

Material Advantages Disadvantages

Glass Low cost Light reflection

Scratch resistance Low Safety

Plexiglas Erosion resistance Expensive

Shatter proof
Light weight
Anemometer

Figure 5: Pitot Tube and Vane Anemometers[3]

Volume Flow Rate Equation
Test Section

Figure 6: Test Section Layout and CAD Model

 Fan Specification
m/min- m/min-
Model/Spec Blade Dia. Poles Power (W) S.P.-50Hz S.P.-60Hz Kgs Weight
50Hz 60Hz

JAF-DA30 30" 6 3 HP 290 350 40 57 65

Figure 7: Selected JOUNING Fan Specifications

Fan speed Controller
Variable Frequency Drive VFD
Table 6: Selected VFD

Manufacturer
Model RM5G-2003
Motor power 3/2.2
HP/kW
Output voltage 200V-240V, 3
Power input 3*, 200V-240V, 50-60
Frequency range 0.1 -400
Weight 2 kg
Price 2100 SR
Shipping from Egypt

Drive overview
 Contraction
Dimensions : At = 0.09 m
Contraction ratio : 8:1
Ac = o.72 m2
Contraction length : 1 m

Figure 8: Contraction Layout and CAD Model

 Diffuser
Dimensions :
At = 0.09 m2
Ad= 0.56 m2
Area Ratio: 1:6
Diffuser length : 1.6 m

Figure 9: Diffuser Layout and CAD Model

Stand
Function

Specification

Figure 10: Stand CAD Model

Wind Tunnel System 3D CAD Model

Figure 11: Wind Tunnel CAD Model

Result and CFD Simulation

Figure 12: Wind Tunnel Simulation

Budget
Table 7: Budget
Components Cost in SAR Description
Contraction and diffuser 7000 The main body of the wind
(fiberglass) tunnel (inlet and outlet)

Test section 2000 The work section in wind

tunnel

Honeycomb structure 2000 Reduce the turbulence of the

air flow

Fan 4600 Produce the air flow

Fan controller 2500 Control the wind speed
Anemometer 1200 Measure the wind speed
Stand 2000 Hold the wind tunnel
Screens 700 For safety and velocity
regulation

Total 22,000 SAR

Future work
Did the team meet the objectives

What's Next?
Materials/goods purchase.
Manufacturing and Assembly.
System programming.
Testing and quality insurance.
User manuals and product submission.
Final report.
References
1. HM170 Gunt Educational wind tunnel, product lab
manual.
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aluminum_Honec
omb
3. http://www.omega.com/pptst/HHF11.html
4.http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?ca
tid=1&prodid=600
Comments and Questions