FLUME 2.0
Mike and I have been testing with a new and improved flume for the last couple of months. This flume was built from an oval water tank. The motor was offset to one side to create a recirculating flow as Toto44 suggested earlier. This worked pretty well and created a recirculating flow of an estimated 8 to 10 mph. We could see the props unload as the water velocity increased, especially at higher power settings.
Here is how the flume morphed over time:
- Basic set up with only internals being the drive shaft; lots of splashing, vortexing etc.
- End plates added to reduce splashing and spillage.
- Clear center window added to further reduce vortexing.
- Center divider added to eliminate horizontal vortexing at high power
- Water level raised above the top plates to reduce turbulence.
The flume now operates very smoothly and give very repeatable results.
Modified animal watering tank
Thrust and torque measuring
showing center divider and propeller
