FACILITIES

The Trent University environmental wind tunnel (TEWT ) is a low-speed research facility designed for simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer both in clean air and with sediment transport. The development of this facility has been completed entirely 'in-house' with funds provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Trent University (TU-NSRC). In 1997, the tunnel was expanded and relocated to its present site within a climate controlled laboratory in the Environmental Sciences Building. The TEWT is an example of an open-loop system wherein the intake and exhaust ends of the tunnel are not connected. One advantage of the open-loop design of the TEWT is that the intake air is clean and physical damage during testing is minimized since the external lab facility acts as a secondary settling chamber. Each year tonnes of sediment are propelled through the tunnel as part of ongoing studies of wind erosion control at Trent University. Low temperature simulation (down to -10º C) and full humidity control are several of the primary distinguishing features of this facility. 

Structure and Components

View from the wind tunnel Control Room