Full Aerothermal Characterization of the 6- by 9-Foot Icing Research Tunnel (2019 Test)
A full aerothermal characterization of the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) was completed in August 2019. A mandatory maintenance period required the test entry to be separated into two phases: the first occurring in April 2019 and the second in August 2019. The hardware used during this test entry consisted of the 6-foot quick-check rake, 6-foot traversing rake, RTD array, and hot-wire rake. The 6-foot quick check rake collects static pressure, total pressure, total temperature, and flow angularity data along the centerline of the test section. The data from the 6-foot quick-check rake were used to generate test section calibration relationships for total and static pressure as well as implement statistical process control. The 6-foot traversing rake collects flow uniformity data across the test section for various flow parameters, such as static pressure, total pressure, and flow angularity. Total temperature flow uniformity data is mapped by the RTD array and is used to generate the test section calibration relationship for total temperature. The hot-wire rake measures turbulence intensity at three lateral locations and characterizes airspeed unsteadiness in the test section. The test entry resulted in updated calibration relationships and a full characterization of test section flow quality and flow uniformity in the IRT.