FLOW VISUALIZATION WIND-TUNNEL.

P.Susmitha(ae17b012),
K.R.Prasad(ae17b015),
Aishwarya Ray(ae17b018).
February 1, 2019

1 Objective:
To study the effect of smoke moving pass solid objects(circular cylinder).

2 Introduction
This experiment is about flow visualization of smoke around a circular cylinder. A vertical wind
tunnel (VWT) is a wind tunnel which moves air up in a vertical column is used to visualize the
flow around a cylinder Unlike standard wind tunnels which have test sections that are oriented
horizontally, as experienced in level flight, a vertical orientation enables buoyancy to act along the
flow direction.Just to make sure that buoyancy does not disturb.To avoid cross flow happening due
to buoyancy,which will happen if tunnel is horizontal.

3 Apparatus required:
• Demonstration wind-tunnel.

• smoke generator.
• circular cylinder.
• co2 cylinder.

4 Salient features of vertical wind-tunnel:

1. Uses smoke trails to show air flow around different shaped models.
2. Ideal for small group experiments or classroom demonstrations.

3. Includes smoke generator and lighting to show flow clearly.

4. Variable air speed.
5. includes a cylinder containing carbon dioxide to increase thickness which in turn increases
visibility as it illuminates brightly.

5 Procedure:
1. Insert the cylinder into the test section and seal off the chamber.
2. Turn on the wind tunnel and the smoke generator.Wait until smoke can be clearly seen(it
takes time for kerosene to produce smoke).
3. Observe the flow over cylinder and take snaps at different instants changing fan speeds.

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6 Description:
A vertical, suction-type wind tunnel with smoke visualization. Allows demonstrations and student
investigations into the flow of air around a wide variety of differently shaped models.

Ideal for small group experiments or classroom demonstrations, the apparatus is floor standing.A
variable-speed fan mounted on top of the wind tunnel produces the air flow through the working
section.Air flow is vertically upwards.

A smoke generator connects to a comb mounted in the wind tunnel below the working sec-
tion.Students can move the comb from side to side to aid investigations into the aerodynamic
properties of a test model. Smoke is produced by the vapourization of a high-quality foodgrade
oil. A filter helps provide uniform air flow. The smoke is non toxic.

The front wall of the working section of the wind tunnel is transparent and removable. This
enables users to easily and quickly attach the optional models to the back of the working section.
It also allows a clear view of the smoke trails. Lamps illuminate the working section from both
sides to improve the visibility of the smoke.

The wind tunnel is held on a metal frame fitted with castors for mobility. A control unit on
the frame contains the controls for the fan speed.

It is also provided with one gas bottle containing carbon dioxide.this helps in increasing the illu-
mination as mass flow is increased.You must fill the gas bottle with compressed carbon dioxide
before you use the wind tunnel.

Figure 1: demonstration wind-tunnel.

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7 Learning outcomes.
When used with the optional models, the visualization and demonstration of:
• Boundary layers.
• Separation.
• Rotational flow.

8 Theory:
• Potential flow around a circular cylinder is a classical solution for the flow of an inviscid,
incompressible fluid around a cylinder that is transverse to the flow. Far from the cylinder,
the flow is unidirectional and uniform. The flow has no vorticity and thus the velocity field
is irrotational. Unlike a real fluid, this solution indicates a net zero drag on the body.

Figure 2: Flow around a cylinder.

• 1) Stagnation point : The point where the streamline meets the leading edge
2)Boundary layer : Region where the velocity gradient at the surface of the obstacle is
zero.This is heavily affected by viscous forces.
3)Seperation point : The point where boundary layer separates far away from the object.

• Formulae: A cylinder of radius R is placed in a two-dimensional, incompressible, inviscid

flow. Let the steady velocity vector be V, subject to conditions that far from the cylinder,
the velocity vector is Ubi, where,
U is a constant and bi is a unit vector along x direction.
Being incompressible it should satisfy 5.V = 0
This flow is irrotational so it should satisfy 5 × V = 0
V.bn = 0, where n b is vector normal to the cylinder since it is inviscid. So, the velocity
components in polar coordinates are given by,
Vr = U (1 − R2 /r2 ) cos(θ)
Vθ = −U (1 + R2 /r2 ) sin(θ)
V 2 = (Vr )2 + (Vθ )2
where, r and θ are radial and angular components of a point respectively. R is the radius of
the cylinder.

9 Observations:

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 Figure 3: Streamline flow.

1st instant.
Above picture is the snap taken in the streamline range of flow in the demonstration tunnel(almost
when steady separation starts.)

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 Figure 4: turbulent flow.

2nd instant.
This is a snap taken when laminar boundary layer wide turbulent wake takes place.

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 Figure 5: turbulent flow.

3rd instant: Above picture shows the Turbulent boundary layer wide turbulent wake.

10 Conclusions:
•Using the snaps collected and incorporating the theoretical knowledge mainly enables us to qual-
itatively analyze the fluid flow when it collides with any other objects.
• We observe that the flow becomes rotational far from cylinder in direction transverse to the flow.
• Through the flow visualization experiments,we can investigate various aspects that must be con-
sidered in the design of objects in Aerodynamics and in finding an optimal shape for aerodynamics.