Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Isaac Choutapalli

Second Advisor

Javier Ortega

Third Advisor

Horacio Vasquez

Abstract

Water tunnels serve as controlled environments for simulating fluid dynamics, providing an essential platform for studying flow patterns for hydrodynamic effects. This report presents a comprehensive overview and refurbishment of the water tunnel system located at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, focusing on its design, operation, calibration, and visualization capabilities for fluid dynamics research. The water tunnel, originally installed in 1995, was restored and updated with structural repairs, including resolving persistent leaks and implementing an improved drain system. A calibration process using a pitot tube and differential pressure transducer was conducted to establish accurate relationships between flow velocity and motor frequency. A new dye injection system was also designed and tested, enabling multi-color flow visualization through a six-cylinder air-controlled assembly. Operational procedures were standardized to ensure safe and effective use of the water tunnel during experimental setups. Finally, preliminary flow visualization tests were conducted on a custom-designed airfoil, demonstrating the effectiveness of the dye system in capturing key flow features such as streamlines and vortex formation. This work supports ongoing educational and research applications in fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Humberto Cesar Grimaldo Jr. https://proquest.com/docview/3240634316

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