22 inch Transonic wind tunnel

Channel 5 is a transonic wind tunnel having a 22 inch x 22 inch slotted wall test section. This is an induction type tunnel in which atmospheric air is drawn through the test section using air ejectors to reduce the downstream pressure.  The required test section Mach number is obtained by controlling the mass flow to the ejectors. Water condensation in the test section is avoided by mixing the ambient air drawn into the tunnel with air passed through a heater vessel and distributed into the tunnel inlet through perforated pipes.

An exhaust nozzle model and the force balance system can be supported in the test section by a cantilevered 5-inch diameter tube. Dried and heated air (obtained from a 500 psi storage system) is supplied to the model through the support tube.  This high pressure air is throttled, metered, and discharged through the model.

Aerodynamic, nozzle installed performance, and icing tests can be conducted in the facility.

Exhaust Nozzle Tests

• Atmospheric Stagnation Pressure
• Mach Numbers to 1.15
• 5-inch diameter Model Support Tube

 Transonic Icing Tests

• Run Times 12 Minutes at M 0.8 to 40 Minutes at M 0.25
• Measure Performance Degradation from Ice Accretion
• Test Deicing and Anti-Icing Systems
• Variable Liquid Water Content and Droplet Size