Flow Screen Improvements

Project Summary

Safran is a company that creates and runs aero-engineering testing facilities. They test jet engines for both commercial and military markets by running the jet engines in a large wind tunnel type testing cell. For the testing that occurs in these large facilities they need to ensure that the airflow is as uniform and realistic as possible. Safran has found that the airflow currently running through the testing cell is irregular and would like for a flow screen to be installed in the testing cell to straighten out the air before it reaches the jet engines.

Design Goal

The design goal currently is to regulate airflow behavior by reducing crosswinds to gather accurate measurements. This change in airflow pattern will also create a realistic testing environment for a jet engine.

Design Constraints

• The design will regulate the VDI to be less than 0.35 with splitters in place to control air flow.
• Pressure drop from the screen will be within a range of 500 to 1000 Pa (0.073 to 0.145 Psi)
• Smaller than current screen of 14 x 14 m and scalable
• Flow Velocity of 18.82 m/s (42.1 mph)