Individual Report Summary Page
November 29th, 2006
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| Author: Curtis W. Hamman | Team: Tornado Machine |
Objectives
The Tornado Machine design involves connecting a radial blower outlet to a PVC pipe to complete the circulation generator connection. However, the blower outlet diameter is one-third larger than the diameter of the PVC connection. Thus, I developed a nozzle to connect the blower outlet and PVC pipe while advantageously modifying the flow characteristics of the circulation generator. Analysis of the specific radial blower and nozzle interaction leads to a greater understanding of the tornado-vortex development.
Approach
The final design developed through careful consideration of the governing dynamics of the overall tornado-vortex system. The nozzle design directly influences the net circulation and updraft of the tornado-vortex, which are the most important system parameters. Several designs were initially considered. These selections were iteratively culled to three primary design concepts: a hyperbolic, conical, and square nozzle. These choices were then further refined through appropriate use of engineering design methodologies to arrive at the final design choice: the conical nozzle. Empirical evidence was gathered to characterize the specific radial blower in order to analytically determine how the nozzle design impacts the net circulation and updraft of the tornado-vortex system.
Results
Three overarching results were found during this design process. First, a nozzle design was developed that maximizes the efficiency of the system for the given radial blower without sacrificing modularity. Second, empirical data was collected to characterize the radial blower in terms of its flow rate and associated pressure drop, which allows for accurate predictions of system performance. Third, these results were combined so as to develop an analytic model of the circulation generator that allows for significant predictive capacity to determine what type of vortex visualization will result for a given set of operating conditions based upon existing evidence within the literaure.
Conclusions
Design development greatly benefits from careful consideration of the overall system dynamics through use of analytic analysis supported by empirical evidence to generate functional design concepts. These three engineering methods were combined to not only form a robust design but also provide a sturdy foundation for future analysis. The lessons learned during this design process enhance the system design while providing the ability to predict how design modifications will affect vortex development. The flow characteristics of the circulation generator were quantitatively shown to be within the realm of natural tornadoes, hence, the Tornado Machine Senior Design Project has fulfilled its goal to qualitatively simulate natural tornado-like vortices within a portable, interactive, and educational device.
References
- Church, C.R, Snow, J.T., Agee, E.M., Tornado Vortex Simulation at Purdue University, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 1977, 58: 900–908.
- Church, C.R., Snow, J.T., Baker, G.L., Agee, E.M., Characteristics of Tornado-Like Vortices as a Function of Swirl Ratio: A Laboratory Investigation, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 1979, 36: 1755–1776.
- Nolan, David S., Farrell, Brian F., The Structure and Dynamics of Tornado-Like Vortices, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 1999, 56: 2908–2936.
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