On the figure, we show a schematic drawing of a blowdown wind tunnel.

Blowdown tunnels are normally used from high subsonic to high supersonic flow conditions. There are several possible configurations for a blowdown tunnel. On the figure, we show completely closed supersonic configuration. The test section sits at the end of a supersonic nozzle. The Mach number in the test section is determined by pressure and temperature in the plenum and the area ratio between the test section on the nozzle throat. As the flow expands in the nozzle, the pressure decreases and any moisture in the tunnel may condense and liquify in the test section. To prevent condensation, air is brought into the tunnel through a dryer bed. The air is pumped into a closed high pressure chamber upstream of the plenum. At the same time, air is pumped out of a closed low pressure chamber downstream of the test section. Test times are limited in blowdown wind tunnels. At the beginning of the test run, valves are opened upstream and downstream of the test section. The pressure ratio establishes a supersonic flow in the test section and the air flows from the high pressure chamber to the low pressure chamber. As air leaves the high pressure chamber, the pressure in the chamber decreases. Likewise, as air enters the low pressure chamber, the pressure in that chamber increases. Eventually, the pressure in the two chambers equalize, the flow stops, and the test is finished. To provide constant conditions in the test section, a pressure regulator valve is normally installed in the plenum. A second throat is often employed downstream of the test section to shock down the supersonic flow to subsonic before entering the low pressure chamber. A closed configuration with both high pressure and low pressure chambers is shown in the figure, but there are other configurations of blowdwon tunnels. Some blowdown tunnels, called indraft tunnels, do not use a high pressure chamber, but open the plenum chamber to the atmosphere. The indraft tunnel uses the low pressure (vacuum) chamber downstream of the test section to produce flow. The advantage of this configuration is that the conditions in the plenum remain constant and there is no need for a pressure regulator. The disadvantage is that the pressure ratio across the test section is usually lower than a closed confifguration and therefore the maximum Mach number is lower. Another configuration retains the high pressure chamber, but exits to atmosphere instead of into a low pressure chamber. The advantage of this configuration is that it is cheaper than a closed configuration in both construction and operation. But the tunnel is very loud and normally requires some type of muffler downstream of the test section. The blowdown tunnel has some advantages and some disadvantages relative to a closed continuous flow tunnel. Advantages of the Blowdown Tunnel

High Mach capability. Easy tunnel "starting". Lower construction and operating costs. Superior design for propulsion and smoke visualization. There is no accumulation of exhaust products in an open tunnel. Smaller loads on model during startup because of faster starts.

Disadvantages of the Blowdown Tunnel

Shorter test times require faster (often more expensive) instrumentation. Need for pressure regulator valves. Noisy operation.

The simplest form of supersonic wind-tunnel is the blow-down type (Fig. 1.6). It consists of a convergent-divergent duct whose upstream end is connected to a tank filled with compressed air. The downstream end is usually open to the atmosphere. The air in the tank then discharges through the duct. This means, of course, that the pressure in the tank fall continuously, and therefore a reducing valve is fitted to maintain a constant pressure at the inlet of the duct. The duration of each test run is necessarily limited with this type of tunnel. The blow-down type of tunnel is relatively cheap. In particular, a relatively low-powered pump can be used to pressurize the tank taking, of course, a correspondingly long time to do so. The power expanded in driving the tunnel during a test is many times greater than the power of the pump. The test section of this type of tunnel is followed by a convergent-divergent duct. It can be shown that if the pressure ratio between the two ends of a convergent-divergent duct exceeds 1.892, the flow is sonic (M=1) at the throat and supersonic downstream. A plane downstream of the throat can therefore be used as a test section in which the flow is supersonic. Figure