Experimental investigation of flow over a backward facing step-progress report

The sizes and arrangement of the wind tunnel used for the experimentation are described. The specifications for the cold-wire anemometers, hot-wire anemometers, cold-wire rakes, and miniature 3-wire probe are proveded. The results of the experiment are briefly discussed

Maxometers (peak wind speed anemometers)

An instrument for measuring peak wind speeds under severe environmental conditions is described, comprising an elongated cylinder housed in an outer casing. The cylinder contains a piston attached to a longitudinally movable guided rod having a pressure disk mounted on one projecting end. Wind pressure against the pressure disk depresses the movable rod. When the wind reaches its maximum speed, the rod is locked by a ball clutch mechanism in the position of maximum inward movement. Thereafter maximum wind speed or pressure readings may be taken from calibrated indexing means

Laser anemometry for hot section applications

Laser anemometers (LA's) for use in the study of the hot section components of turbomachinery are being developed. Specifically, laser anemometers are being developed for use in the 50.8-cm (20-in.) diameter warm turbine and high-pressure turbine (HPT) facilities at Lewis. A brief review of the status of the program along with some preliminary data taken in an open-jet burner are presented

Measuring 3D indoor air velocity via an inexpensive low-power ultrasonic anemometer

The ability to inexpensively monitor indoor air speed and direction on a continuous basis would transform the control of environmental quality and energy use in buildings. Air motion transports energy, ventilation air, and pollutants around building interiors and their occupants, and measured feedback about it could be used in numerous ways to improve building operation. However indoor air movement is rarely monitored because of the expense and fragility of sensors. This paper describes a unique anemometer developed by the authors, that measures 3-dimensional air velocity for indoor environmental applications, leveraging new microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology for ultrasonic range-finding. The anemometer uses a tetrahedral arrangement of four transceivers, the smallest number able to capture a 3-dimensional flow, that provides greater measurement redundancy than in existing anemometry. We describe the theory, hardware, and software of the anemometer, including algorithms that detect and eliminate shielding errors caused by the wakes from anemometer support struts. The anemometer has a resolution and starting threshold of 0.01 m/s, an absolute air speed error of 0.05 m/s at a given orientation with minimal filtering, 3.1° angle- and 0.11 m/s velocity errors over 360° azimuthal rotation, and 3.5° angle- and 0.07 m/s velocity errors over 135° vertical declination. It includes radio connection to internet and is able to operate standalone for multiple years on a standard battery. The anemometer also measures temperature and has a compass and tilt sensor so that flow direction is globally referenced regardless of anemometer orientation. The retail cost of parts is $100 USD, and all parts snap together for ease of assembly

Possible biases in wind speed measurements from merchant ships

Wind speed measurements obtained from ship-mounted anemometers are biased by the presence of the ship which distorts the airflow to the anemometer. Until recently this bias had only been quantified for a few well-exposed anemometer sites on individual research ships, whereas the magnitude and even the sign of the bias was unknown for anemometers on merchant ships. Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the airflow over a typical tanker/bulk carrier have been performed to quantify the pattern of the airflow above the ship’s bridge. The accuracy of the numerical simulations has been verified by comparison to wind tunnel studies. Typically, the flow is accelerated by up to 18±6 % or decelerated by 100% depending on position. In practice, an anemometer located above the bridge should be mounted as high and as far forwards as possible

Thermography and Sonic Anemometry to Analyze Air Heaters in Mediterranean Greenhouses

The present work has developed a methodology based on thermography and sonic anemometry for studying the microclimate in Mediterranean greenhouses equipped with air heaters and polyethylene distribution ducts to distribute the warm air. Sonic anemometry allows us to identify the airflow pattern generated by the heaters and to analyze the temperature distribution inside the greenhouse, while thermography provides accurate crop temperature data. Air distribution by means of perforated polyethylene ducts at ground level, widely used in Mediterranean-type greenhouses, can generate heterogeneous temperature distributions inside the greenhouse when the system is not correctly designed. The system analyzed in this work used a polyethylene duct with a row of hot air outlet holes (all of equal diameter) that expel warm air toward the ground to avoid plant damage. We have observed that this design (the most widely used in Almería’s greenhouses) produces stagnation of hot air in the highest part of the structure, reducing the heating of the crop zone. Using 88 kW heating power (146.7 W∙m−2) the temperature inside the greenhouse is maintained 7.2 to 11.2 °C above the outside temperature. The crop temperature (17.6 to 19.9 °C) was maintained above the minimum recommended value of 10 °C

Measurement and simulation of the flow field around a triangular lattice meteorological mast

The international standard IEC 61400-12-1 “Wind turbines – Part 12-1: Power performance measurements of electricity producing wind turbines” aims to provide a uniform methodology that will ensure consistency, accuracy and reproducibility in the measurement and analysis of power performance by wind turbines. Annex G of this standard provides a methodology for the appropriate arrangement of instruments on the meteorological mast to ensure accurate measurement. For cup anemometers it provides recommendations about their location relative to the mast so that the effect of mast and boom interference on their output may be minimised. These recommendations are given for both tubular masts and lattice masts.This paper compares the flow distortion predicted by the IEC standard and the results of a 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation of a triangular lattice mast. Based on the results of wind tunnel and CFD simulation it was found that the flow distortion surrounding the lattice mast was over predicted by the method suggested in appendix G of IEC61400-12-1. Using the CFD data it was possible to determine, for a range of flow directions and mast heights, the distance from the mast that anemometers would need to be in order to be outside the flow distortion field

Cup Anemometer's loss of performance due to ageing process, and its effect on Annual energy Production (AEP) estimates

The deviation of calibration coefficients from five cup anemometer models over time was analyzed. The analysis was based on a series of laboratory calibrations between January 2001 and August 2010. The analysis was performed on two different groups of anemometers: (1) anemometers not used for any industrial purpose (that is, just stored); and (2) anemometers used in different industrial applications (mainly in the field—or outside—applications like wind farms). Results indicate a loss of performance of the studied anemometers over time. In the case of the unused anemometers the degradation shows a clear pattern. In the case of the anemometers used in the field, the data analyzed also suggest a loss of performance, yet the degradation does not show a clear trend. A recalibration schedule is proposed based on the observed performances variation

Field experimental study of traffic-induced turbulence on highways

This paper is focused on traffic-induced turbulence (TIT) analysis from a field campaign performed in 2011, using ultrasonic anemometers deployed in the M-12 Highways, Madrid (Spain). The study attempts to improve knowledge about the influence of traffic-related parameters on turbulence. Linear relationships between vehicle speed and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) values are found with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.75 and 0.55 for the lorry and van respectively. The vehicle-induced fluctuations in the wind components (u', v' and w') showed the highest values for the longitudinal component (v) because of the wake-passing effect. In the analysis of wake produced by moving vehicles it is indicated how the turbulence dissipates in relation to a distance d and height h. The TKE values were found to be higher at the measuring points closer to the surface during the wake analysis.This work was supported by the OASIS Research Project that was co financed by CDTI (Spanish Science and Innovation Ministry) and developed with the Spanish companies: Iridium, OHL Concesiones, Abertis, Sice, Indra, Dragados, OHL, Geocisa, GMV, Asfaltos Augusta, Hidrofersa, Eipsa, PyG, CPS, AEC and Torre de Comares Arquitectos s.l and 16 research centres