Shape Variation Effects on Closed-Loop Wind Tunnel Performance: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis
摘要
Traditional rectangular closed-loop wind tunnels typically use radiators to dissipate heat from the moving fluid, but these radiators often cause significant head losses, especially at the tunnel’s four corners. This study investigates a novel approach to minimize head losses by redesigning the tunnel with a triangular configuration, incorporating two 45° corners instead of four 90° corners. While 45° corners inherently produce higher head losses compared to 90° corners, the overall reduction in corner numbers leads to a net decrease in head loss. To maintain a continuous and stable fluid flow, which is crucial for precise experimental outcomes, guide vanes are strategically placed throughout the tunnel. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis with ANSYS software, the study evaluates how different corner angles affect the aerodynamic performance of closed-loop wind tunnels. This research fills a gap in the existing literature by quantifying head losses associated with various corner angles and assessing their impact on tunnel efficiency.