SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

1.0

INTRODUCTION
The SOLTEQ Basic Air Flow Bench (Model: FM 21) has been designed to
demonstrate the principles of the flowing compressible fluid. Ability to study the boundary
layer growth, the behavior of jet dispersion, aerodynamics studies and flow visualization..
The unit comes with a motor driven centrifugal fan and various of interchangeable optional
test sets such as multi-tubes manometer test set, venturi, orifice and pitot tube test set,
Bernoullis theorem test set, flow around a bend test set, pressure losses in pipes test set,
aerodynamics studies accessories, smoke generator for flow visualization, jet dispersion
test set and boundary layer growth test set. The air flow rate through the duct is adjustable.

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

2.0

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The SOLTEQ Basic Air Flow Bench (Model: FM 21) is a mobile unit consisting of an
epoxy coated steel frame, motor driven centrifugal fan and necessary accessories. Various
test sets can be supplied with the unit for students to experiment on the principles of
compressible fluid flow.
The accessories supplied with the bench comprise the optional Jet Dispersion Test Set, the
Boundary Layer Growth Test Set, Aerodynamics studies set and smoke generator for flow
visualization stidies. A differential pressure transmitter is supplied for the differential
pressure measurements.
The inlet and outlet ducting of the centrifugal fan is designed with flow straightness, output
pressure tapping and a flow regulating valve (damper) at the air outlet. The ducting
sections and the test sections can be easily assembled together using the latch clamps.
Rubber O ring used to seal the connecting ducting sections.
Experimental setup for the jet dispersion requires the plenum chamber and the pitot tube
assembly that comes with vertical and horizontal scales . Thus the traverse pitot tube head
can be determined in relationship to the air jet stream. The plenum is connected to the side
outlet port at the centrifugal fan outlet duct. When the jet dispersion test set is not in
operation, close the side outlet port with the PVC cap provided. The pitot tube is used with
the differential pressure transmitter supplied.
Experiment for boundary layer growth requires a transparent wind tunnel with slots for the
installation of the boundary layer test plates and the pitot tubes. The studies involve the
determination of the thickness of the boundary layer and the velocity profile within it. These
parameters will vary with velocity of the fluid flowing over the surface, the distance from the
leading edge of the surface and the degree of roughness of the surface. Two test plates
are supplied, one with blunt leading edge and the other one with sharp leading edge. Two
pitot tubes are supplied for the measurements of the total pressure and the dynamic
pressure in the boundary layer.
Experiments for aerodynamics studies require an aerofoil unit, a cylinder unit and the two
components balance. The studies involve the determination of lift and drag coefficient as
well as the pressure profile around the test body.
Experiments for flow visualization require a smoke generator and the test specimens
(aerofoil and cylindrical body). The smoke generator generates stream lines to visualize the
flow pattern around a test specimen.

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

2.1 Unit Assembly

1
2

6
7
8

3
9
4
10

Figure 1: Assembly for Basic Air Flow Bench

1. Flow Regulating Valve (Damper)

6. Plenum Chamber (Optional)

2. Outlet Duct

7. Bell Mouth

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

3. Fan

8. Interchangeable test duct

4. Inlet Duct

9. Pitot Tube

5. Side Outlet Port

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

2.2 Experimental Capabilities

-

2.3

Demonstration of the variation of velocity of an air stream emitting from a

circular pipe into free surroundings, at different distances along its central axis
(with optional Jet Dispersion Unit)
Study the velocity profile of an air stream emitting from a circular pipe into free
surroundings, at various distances from the emission point (with optional Jet
Dispersion Unit)
Determine the velocity profile of a boundary layer at specified distance from
blunt leading edge of a smooth test plate (turbulent flow condition) (with
optional Boundary Layer Unit)
Determine the velocity profile of a boundary layer at specified distance from
sharp leading edge of a smooth test plate (laminar flow condition) (with
optional Boundary Layer Unit)
To study the pressure profile around a transverse cylinder and derivation of
drag force coefficient (with optional Wind Tunnel Demonstration and Lift and
Drag Forces Unit)
To study the pressure profile around an aerofoil section and derivation of lift
and drag forces and coefficients (with optional Wind Tunnel Demonstration
and Lift and Drag Forces Unit)
Variation of lift and drag forces and coefficients and lift and drag ratio with
aerofoil incidence (with optional Wind Tunnel Demonstration and Lift and Drag
Forces Unit)

Specifications
A bench unit designed to allow experiments on boundary layer and jet dispersion.
a) Bench
Made of epoxy coated steel frame constructed with castors.
b) Fan
Power supply
Frequency
Output
Rated Current
Motor speed
Free Blowing Capacity
Sound Level (House)
Sound Level (Inlet)
Sound Level (Outlet)

: 230 / 400V 3~
: 50Hz
: 0.55kW
: 1.4 1.5 A
: 2800 rpm
: 1800 m3/h
: 63.8 dB(A)
: 69.1 dB(A)
: 72.7 dB(A)

c) Jet Dispersion Test Set (Optional)

Plenum Chamber
Inlet: 90 mm long & 2 diameter
Outlet: 210 mm long & 2 diameter
Calibrated Scales
Height positioning arm: 0 500 mm
Radial movement arm: 0 200 mm

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

d) Boundary Layer Growth Test Set (Optional)

Boundary Layer Growth Duct
Material
: Transparent Acrylic with aluminium bell mouth
Cross Section : 65 mm x 250 mm
Test Position from the test plate leading: 50mm, 90mm, 150mm, 250mm
Pitot Tubes
i) Total Pressure Tube with calibrated traverse scale (0-150mm; 0.1mm)
ii) Pitot Static Tube
Test Plates
i) Smooth surface sharp leading edge
ii) Smooth surface blunt leading edge
e) Differential Pressure Transmitter (optional)
Pressure Ranges : 0 - 1000 Pa
Accuracy: 1% of full scale
f)

Aerofoil Section (optional)

Material: Acrilic
Cord Length, c: 65 mm
Thickness, t: 8 mm
Span, b: 65 mm

g) Cylinder Section (optional)

Material: Acrilic
Diameter, d: 13 mm
Length, L: 65 mm
h) Two Components Balance (optional)
Independent measurement of lift and drag by unique vertical and horizontal
balance beams
Balance Range: 50 g
i)

2.4

Smoke Generator (optional)

Smoke Output: 0 140 m3/min
Smoke Particle Size: 0.2 0.3 micron
Power: 2.2 kW

Overall Dimensions
Height : 2.25 m
Depth : 0.75 m
Width : 1.75 m

2.5

General Requirements
Electrical: 415VAC/3-phase/50 Hz

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

3.0

SUMMARY OF THEORY
3.1

Jet Dispersion Measurement

Referring to Figure 2, a jet of air emerging into free surroundings from an outlet
nozzle locate in a plenum chamber. Air will emerge from the chamber with a
velocity vo and for some distance from the end of the nozzle, a conical core of air
having this velocity exists. The initial mass of emitted air m o is added to by a
continuous ingress of air form the surroundings, and hence the total mass of air
involved increases progressively as the distance from the nozzle end increases.
But, as the distance from the nozzle end increases, the velocity of the air jet
progressively decreases.

Figure 2: Jet Stream

Momentum can be defined as "mass in motion." All objects have mass, so if an

object is moving, then it has momentum. The amount of momentum is dependent
upon two variables: how much and how fast it is moving. The Momentum Theory
state that the momentum of the fluid stream will remain constant along its path
from the nozzle, and will be equal to the air emergent momentum,
v o mo
Thus at a plane a, some distance from the nozzle
Momentum =

va dm = vo mo

Aa

where Aa is the area of the jet stream at a plane a

R

Momentum =

va 2xdx va

= 2

va2 x dx

= constant

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

If velocity profiles are drawn for the jet stream at various distances from the
emission point, the total mass of the stream in any plane can be obtained by
summation:
.

m = 2

n 1

v(i ) v (i 1) x(i ) x(i 1)

2
2

x(i 1) x(i )

Similarly the momentum can be obtained:

n 1

Momentum = 2
1

3.2

v(i ) v(i 1)

x(i ) x(i 1)

x(i 1) x(i )

Boundary Layer Growth

When a fluid flows over a stationary surface, e.g. the bed of a river or the wall of a
solid, the fluid touching the surface is brought to rest by the shear stress t o at the
wall. The velocity increases from the wall to a maximum in the main stream of the
flow.
Looking at the Figure 3, we get the above velocity profile from the wall to the
center of the flow. This profile does not just exit, it must build up gradually from the
point where the fluid starts to flow past the surface - e.g. when it enters a pipe. If
we consider a flat plate in the middle of a fluid, we will look at the build up of the
velocity profile as the fluid moves over the plate.

Figure 3: Velocity Profile

The region, where there is a velocity profile in the flow due to the shear stress at
the wall, we call it the boundary layer. The stages of the formation of the boundary
layer are shown in the Figure 4. The flow in the section of the boundary layer
immediately after the leading edge is always laminar irrespective of whether the
main flow is laminar or turbulent. The laminar layer is characterized by a fairly
uniform increases in velocity with increasing distance from plate. But, turbulent
flow shows much more rapid increase in velocity near the surface. We define the
thickness of this boundary layer as the distance from the wall to the point where
8

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

the velocity is 99% of the "free stream" velocity. Boundary layer thickness ( ), d =
distance from wall to point where u = 0.99 u .

Figure 4: Formation of Boundary Layer

For a laminar flow, its value of R e(x) is below 2000 and for values above 4000 , the
flow is turbulent. The Re(x) for transition region is higher than laminar but lower
compare to turbulent, Re(x) Laminar < Re(x) Transition < Re(x) Turbulent.
Formulae to calculate the Reynolds number is given below:
Reynolds number, Re(x) = u x /
where:
u
x

= velocity of free air stream (m/s)

= distance from leading edge (m)
= density of air (kg/m3)
= viscosity of air (Ns/m2)

A further definition of the boundary layer thickness is given by the definition of

displacement thickness, . Considering a flow pattern as shown in Figure 5, u
represents the velocity of air stream parallel to the surface and at a perpendiculay
distance y from it. the volume flow rate per unit width through an element of
thickness, y in two dimensional flow is u y. If however there had been no
boundary layer the value would have been u .
Hence,

reduction in flow =

(u u )dy

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

The displacement thickness * is defined as that distance which the surface

would have to be displaced to modify the flow to the same extent.
i.e.

* = 1/ u

(u u )dy

(1

u
)dy
u

Figure 5: Displacement Thickness

10

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

3.3

Lift and Drag Force

The resistance of a body as it moves through a fluid is of obvious technical
importance in hydrodynamics and aerodynamics. In this experiment we place a
circular cylinder in an air stream and measure its resistance, or drag, by three
methods. We start by introducing the ideas which underline these methods.
Consider the cylindrical body shown in cross-section in Figure 6.

Figure 6: Schematic Representation of Flow Round a Cylinder

The reader may be unfamiliar with the idea of a non-circular cylinder. In the
present context the word "cylinder" is used to describe a body which is generated
by a straight line moving round a plane closed curve, its direction being always
normal to the plane of the curve. For example, a pencil of hexagonal cross-section
is by this definition a cylinder. The curve shown in Figure 2 represents a section of
an oval cylinder. An essential property of a cylinder is that its geometry is twodimensional; each cross-section is exactly the same as every other cross-section,
so that its shape may be described without reference to the dimension along the
cylinder axis. We shall use the term circular cylinder to denote the particular and
important case of the cylinder of circular cross-section. Motion of the cylinder
through stationary fluid produces stresses on its surface which give rise to a
resultant force. It is usually convenient to analyze these stresses from the point of
view of an observer moving with the cylinder, to whom the fluid appears to be
approaching as a uniform stream. At any chosen point A of the surface of the
cylinder, the effect of the fluid may conveniently resolved into two components,
pressure p normal to the surface and shear stress tangential to the surface. It is
convenient to refer absolute pressure p to a reference static pressure p atm in the
oncoming stream; P is then a gauge pressure.
P p p atm

Let U denote the undisturbed uniform speed of the motion upstream of the
cylinder and the density of the fluid. [Note, we will use other U or U to denote
the free stream speed.

11

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

The dynamic pressure in the undisturbed stream

1
U 2 is then given by:
2

1
U 2 P p
2

where P is the total pressure in the oncoming stream. The dynamic pressure is a
useful quantity by which the gauge pressure p and shear stress may be nondimensionalised, yielding the following dimensionless terms:
cp

cf

p
1
2
U
2

1
2
U
2

where cp is the (local) pressure coefficient and c f is the (local) skin friction
coefficient.
The combined effect of pressure and shear stress (sometimes called skin friction)
gives rise to a resultant force on the cylinder. This resultant may conveniently be
resolved into the following force and torque components (acting at any chosen
origin C of the section as shown on Figure 6):
A component in the direction of U, called the drag force, D.
A component normal to the direction of U called the lift force, L.
A moment about the origin C, called the pitching moment, M.
These components may be expressed in dimensionless terms by definition of drag,
lift, and pitching moment coefficients as follows:
CD

CL

CM

D
1
2
U dl
2
L
1
2
U dl
2
M
1
2
U dl
2

where CD is the drag coefficient, C L is the lift coefficient, and CM is the pitching
moment coefficient. Note that d is a length that characterizes the cross-sectional
size of the cylinder while l is the length of the cylinder. In Figure 6, d is shown as

12

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

the width measured across the cylinder, normal to U , which is the usual
convention. (An important exception is the aerofoil, where the length in the
direction of flow or "chord" of the section is used instead). The coefficients CD, CL,
and CM are of prime importance, since they are invariably used for correlating
aerodynamic force measurements.
3.4

Flow Visualization
Flow visualization in air may be broadly divided into surface flow visualization and
off-the-surface visualization. Surface flow visualization involves tufts, fluorescent
dye, oil or special clay mixtures which are applied to the surface of a model. Visual
inspection of such tufts and coatings as a function of time, or after some time, will
give valuable information on such things as the state of the boundary layer
(laminar or turbulent), transition, regions of separated flow and the like. It must be
remembered in such visualization that what is observed on the surface is not
always indicative of what is happening away from the surface.
The second type of visualization is off the surface and involves the use of such
tracers as smoke particles, oil droplets or helium-filled soap bubbles. The
visualization medium must faithfully follow the flow pattern or it is not conveying the
correct information. The smoke particles and oil droplets are very small and are
light enough that they will follow the motion of the flow; the soap bubbles are small
and are filled with helium to make them neutrally buoyant. Each of these methods
requires appropriate lighting and some device for recording the image such as a
still or video camera. If the flowfield is illuminated in a plane by appropriate
masking of the light source it is possible to examine discrete sections or slices of
the flow. For example, a laser light beam can be expanded into a thin sheet by
passing it through a cylindrical lens. This sheet then can be used to illuminate any
cross-section of an airflow that has been seeded with particles. The laser light will
reflect from the particles, but dark images will be observed where there is an
absence of particles, such as in the center of a vortex. A vortex core is almost void
of particles since they have been spun out by the action of centrifugal force.
In addition to flow visualization using tracer particles or surface coatings, optical
means can be used to visualize flows or flow features. For example, laser light
systems are used to produce holographs that can be used for density
measurement and flow visualization even at low subsonic Mach numbers. For
compressible flows, Schlieren systems, which respond to density gradients, are
used to optically determine the locations of shock waves and expansion regions
but they will not accurately provide the values of flow properties. An optical method
that will accurately yield the magnitude of the density anywhere in the flow is
based upon the principle of interference. A light ray is split into two optical paths,
one passing through the test section and the other through a reference air column.
The two beams then are merged and refocused on a screen. The screen shows
areas of light and dark (fringes) because there is a phase difference between the
two beams which depends upon the difference in the lengths of their light paths.
By taking pictures with and without flow in the test section, fringe shifts will be
observed from which an equivalent change in optical path may be determined.
This change, in turn, can be related to a change in density so that contours of

13

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

known density in the test section can be found. This optical measuring device is
called an interferometer.
Flow visualization is also carried out in water flows because the visualization is
easier, although it must be recognized that the Reynolds number of such a flow
may be quite different from that of the air flow under study. The water may be
injected with dyes of different colors either through small orifices in the model
surface or upstream so as to act as streamline tracers. Regions of the flowfield
also may be visualized by generating small hydrogen bubbles in the water which
will move with the water flow. In this technique, a fine wire cathode is positioned in
the water and connected to a DC power supply; the anode is located elsewhere in
the water. The circuit thus is completed through the water (the water conductivity
can be enhanced by the addition of a salt, for example, if necessary). When the
circuit switch is closed, small hydrogen bubbles are emitted from the wire cathode
which then is swept along with the water flow. These bubbles may be viewed with
proper lighting.

14

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.0

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
4.1

Experimental Procedures for Jet Dispersion Study (Optional)

4.1.1

Experiment 1: Determination of velocity profile along central axis

Objective:
To determine the variation in velocity of an air stream emitting from a
circular pipe, into free surroundings, at different distance along its central
axis
Procedures:
1. Position the pitot tube so that its nose is 0 mm above the outlet pipe
and on the pipe's center line.
Note: The nose of the pitot tube should point vertically downwards
into the air stream
2. Adjust the fan outlet flow regulating valve so that the dynamic/velocity
pressure reading taken from the pilot tube is approximately 300 Pa.
3. Then, record the exact reading obtained.
4. Keeping the fan outlet flow regulating valve in the same position, record
the pressure readings along the pipes extended center line at
increments of 20 mm from 0 500 mm.
Task:
Plot the reciprocal values of velocity against distance from the datum (i.e.
air exit point) and comment.

15

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.3.2

Experiment 2: Study the velocity profile of an air stream emitting

from a circular pipe into free surroundings, at various distances from
the emission point
Objective:
To determine the velocity profile of an air stream, emitting from a circular
pipe into free surroundings, at various distances from the emission point.
Procedures:
1. Position the pitot tube so that its nose is 100 mm above the outlet pipe
and on the pipe's center line.
Note: The nose of the pitot tube should point vertically downwards into
the air stream.
2. Adjust the fan outlet flow regulating valve so that the dynamic/velocity
pressure reading taken from the pilot tube is approximately 300 Pa.
3. Obtain a velocity profile at this 100 mm plane by taking a series of
readings of dynamic/velocity pressure at radial increments of 10 mm,
from the central position (0 mm) to a maximum distance from this
central position where it is still possible to obtain a valid reading.
4. Repeat this procedure to obtain the velocity profiles at planes of 200,
300 and 400 mm from the outlet pipe.
Task:
Plot the values of velocity against radius for each value of distance away
from the emission point.

16

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.2

Experimental Procedures for Boundary Layer Growth Study (Optional)

4.2.1

Experiment 1 : Determination of velocity profile of the boundary layer

at specified distances from the blunt leading edge of a smooth test
plate in turbulent flow conditions
Objectives:
To determine the velocity profile of the boundary layer at specified
distances from the blunt leading edge of a smooth test plate in turbulent
flow conditions
Procedures:
1. Install the blunt leading edge test plate into the slot provided.
2. Position the total pressure tube (Pitot 2) in slot 4 of the tunnel.
3. Position the pitot static tube assembly (Pitot 1) in slot 1 and direct the
nose of the pitot static tube upstream, and locate the measurement
position approximately midway between the plane of the top surface of
the test plate and the under surface of the top of the tunnel.
Note: Slots not occupied by the static pressure tapping plate must be
closed with the transparent plates provided.
4. Start the fan and then adjust the fan outlet flow regulating valve until a
pressure of approximately 260 Pa is obtained as measured by the
pitot static tube (Pitot 1).
5. Record the value of static pressure for slot number 1. Repeat the static
pressure measurement for the other three slots.
6. Then, position the total pressure tube which measures the total
pressure (Pitot 2) into slot 1.
7. Adjust the pitot tube until the nose just touches the surface of the test
plate and note the reading on the micrometer scale.
8. Set the height of the centre of the pitot tube measuring point is 0.5 mm
from the test plate surface.
Note: The diameter of the pitot used (Pitot 2) is 1mm. Hence, 0.5mm
is measured from the center of the pitot hole and the surface of the
test plate.
9. Record the readings of pressure from pitot tube resting on surface of
test specimen, i.e. 0.5 mm to 7.0mm.
0.5 mm (surface of specimen)
0.5 1.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments
1.0 2.0 mm in 0.2 mm increments
2.0 4.0 mm in 0.4 mm increments
4.0 7.0 mm in 1.0 mm increments
10. Repeat steps 5-8 for the other three slots.
Note: It is important to re-establish the datum for vernier
measurement each time the slot position is changed.

17

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.2.2

Experiment 2 : Determination of velocity profile of the boundary layer

at specified distances from the sharp leading edge of a smooth test
plate in laminar flow conditions
Objectives:
To determine the velocity profile of the boundary layer at specified
distances from the sharp leading edge of a smooth test plate in laminar
flow conditions
Procedures:
1. Install the sharp leading edge test plate into the slot provided.
2. Position the total pressure tube (Pitot 2) in slot 4 of the tunnel.
3. Position the pitot static tube assembly (Pitot 1) in slot 1 and direct the
nose of the pitot static tube upstream, and locate the measurement
position approximately midway between the plane of the top surface of
the test plate and the under surface of the top of the tunnel.
Note: Slots not occupied by the static pressure tapping plate must be
closed with the transparent plates provided.
4. Start the fan and then adjust the fan outlet flow regulating valve until a
pressure of approximately 50 Pa is obtained as measured by the pitot
static tube (Pitot 1).
5. Record the value of static pressure for slot number 1. Repeat the static
pressure measurement for the other three slots.
6. Then, position the total pressure tube which measures the total
pressure (Pitot 2) into slot 1.
7. Adjust the pitot tube until the nose just touches the surface of the test
plate and note the reading on the micrometer scale.
8. Set the height of the centre of the pitot tube measuring point is 0.5 mm
from the test plate surface.
Note: The diameter of the pitot used (Pitot 2) is 1mm. Hence, 0.5mm
is measured from the center of the pitot hole and the surface of the
test plate.
9. Record the readings of pressure from pitot tube resting on surface of
test specimen, i.e. 0.5 mm to 7.0mm.
0.5 mm (surface of specimen)
0.5 2.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments (Positions I and 2)
0.5 3.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments (Position 3)
0.5 4.0 mm in 0.1 mm increments (Position 4)
10. Repeat steps 5-8 for the other three slots.
Note: It is important to re-establish the datum for vernier
measurement each time the slot position is changed.

18

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

Task:
1. Calculate the dynamic/velocity pressure for each position of the pitot
tube by subtracting the relevant value of static pressure from the value
of total pressure.
u

2. The ratio u is given by:

u
u

p total p static
=

p total p static max

where ptotal pstatic max is the velocity pressure of the free air
stream at maximum distance from the plate.
Construct the boundary layer velocity profiles.
3. Check the type of flow occurring at the boundary layer/plane
intersections by checking the Reynolds Number.

19

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.3

Aerodynamic Studies of an Aerofoil Body (Optional)

Objectives:
1. To obtain drag force and drag coefficient for cylinder body.
2. To obtain pressure distribution as a function of the angle to the direction of
flow.
Procedures:
1. Insert the aerofoil body into the duct.
2. Set up the two components balance properly with the counter force strings
attached to the electronic balance. Make sure that the assembly is balanced
using the counter weights and record the initial balance readings.
3. Position the Pitot tube to center of the duct.
4. Connect the aerofoil to the water manometer using a tubes at Point 1 until
Point 14 (Please refer to Appendix A for Illustration Diagram).
5. Turn on the radial fan and obtain a static pressure reading of -150 Pa.
6. Now the wind will create a lift as well as a drag force.
7. Position the aerofoil at an attack angle of -5 deg, record the reading on the lift
and drag forces balance and calculate the lift and drag force by applying the
following factor:
Drag Force, D (N) =
Lift Force, L (N) =

Balance Re ading ( g )
x 0.5 x 9.81
1000

Balance Re ading ( g )
x 2.0 x 9.81
1000

8. Record the manometer readings.

9. Repeat the above procedures with attack angle of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25.
10. Experiment can be repeated with other free stream static pressure settings,
says 100 Pa.
Task:
1. Tabulate the data and calculate the lift and drag force. Use the following data:
Gravitational acceleration = 9.81 kgm/s 2
Cord Length, c: 65 mm
Thickness, t: 8 mm
Span, b: 65 mm
2. Find the lift and drag coefficient using the lift and drag force obtained.
3. Calculate the pressure coefficient at each point on the aerofoil and plot graph
of pressure coefficient vs. x/c at different attack angle.

20

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.4

Aerodynamic Studies of a Cylindrical Body (Optional)

Objectives:
1. To obtain drag force and drag coefficient for cylinder body.
2. To obtain pressure distribution as a function of the angle to the direction of
flow.
Procedures:
1. Insert the cylinder body into the duct.
2. Set up the two components balance properly with the counter force strings
attached to the electronic balance. Make sure that the assembly is balanced
using the counter weights and record the initial balance reading.
3. Position the Pitot tube to center of the duct. Turn on the radial fan and obtain a
static pressure reading of -20 Pa.
4. Now the wind will push the front part of the cylinder back and create a drag
force.
5. Record the reading on the drag force balance and calculate the drag force by
applying the following factor:
Drag Force, D (N) =

Balance Re ading ( g )
x 0.5 x 9.81
1000

6. Connect the cylinder to the water manometer using a tube. Position the
measuring hole to 0. Record the manometer reading.
7. Record manometer readings for increment of 5 until 180.
8. Experiment can be repeated with other free stream static pressure settings,
says 50 Pa.
Task:
1. Tabulate the data and calculate drag force. Use the following data:
Gravitational acceleration = 9.81 kgm/s 2
Diameter of cylinder = 0.013m
Length of cylinder = 0.065m
2. Find the drag coefficient using the drag force obtained.
3. Plot graph of pressure coefficient around the cylinder vs. angle to obtain
pressure distribution of cylinder as a function of the angle to the direction of
flow.

21

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

4.5

Flow Visualization Studies

Objectives:
To study the flow lines around different bodies.
Procedures:
1. For smoke generator, move power switch to ON (1) position. The Red
Indicator Light will illuminate immediately. After approximately 5 10 minutes
the Green Temperature Light will illuminate, indicating that the correct working
temperature has been reached (For optimum performance, it is
recommended that the machine be allowed to warm up for an additional
10 minutes before smoke is produced).
NOTE: Do not attempt to generate smoke until the Green Temperature Light
has come on, otherwise damage may be caused to the machine.
2. Insert rotating wing into the viewing window. Position it pointing downwards.
3. Turn on radial fan. Control the air flow velocity by adjusting the damper.
4. Press Smoke Button on smoke generator.
Note: It is advisable to be operated
5. Observe the flow lines through the viewing window and sketch the stream
lines.
6. For rotating wing only, fix 4 different attack angles, observe and capture the
stream lines.
7. Experiment is repeated by using cylinder body and orifice.
Task:
Study and analyze the flow lines produced.

22

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

5.0

MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY PRECAUTION

1. Always run the experiment after fully understands the unit and procedures.
2. Always wear protective clothing, shoes, helmet and goggles throughout the laboratory
session.
3. Be extremely careful when handling the pitot static tube as the sharp end may cause
eyes injury.
4. The apparatus should not be exposed to any shock and stresses. The apparatus
should be stored properly to prevent damage.
5. Clean and wipe the bench with damp cloth after every laboratory session.

23

SOLTEQ BASIC AIR FLOW BENCH (MODEL: FM 21)

6.0

REFERENCES
Schlichting, H. Boundary Layer Theory. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1979.
Schetz J.A Boundary layer analysis. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1993.

24