Water Tunnel

About 

The SAFL water tunnel is a specialized facility, used to study cavitation and other high-velocity flow problems. The water tunnel is a closed jet arrangement with absolute pressure regulation capabilities. In addition to a high velocity flow, this facility is equipped with high-speed photography and video apparatuses for capturing experimental runs. Available instrumentation also includes laser-based optical techniques, hydrophones, and force balances. 

Full view of the water tunnel with green light optical techniques
Photo of a researcher positioning a camera outside of the water tunnel
Photo of a golf ball moving through the water tunnel at high speed
Photo of a torpedo shaped object moving through the water tunnel while a researcher watches
Photo of a water tunnel experiment

Specifications

  • Test section: 18.9 cm wide x 18.9 cm deep (0.62 ft x 0.62 ft)
  • Maximum velocity in excess of 20 m/s (65.6 ft/s)

Measurement Capabilities

  • Laser-based optical instrumentation, such as PIV, high-speed PIV, LDV, and PDA
  • Hydrophones
  • High-speed photography and video
  • Force balances