Duct Lab Facility Description
Typical programs being conducted in the Duct Lab include the development and demonstration of supersonic injectors, artificial intelligence schemes, new laser-based nonintrusive instrumentation systems, and physical experiments to gain insight into continuous Mach 1.6 to 5.0 (with and without injection), flow physics and explore new technologies. The facility receives air from atmospheric inlet or by the 40-psig system, which can be heated by electric heaters. The inlet air is filtered, enters a 48-in.-diameter plenum, passes through a 2-D bellmouth, is flow straightened, and then enters the test section. The walls and roof have interchangeable Plexiglas, optical-glass (fuse silica/BK-7), or solid-metal windows with rows of pressure taps. The airflow passes through a fixed diffuser before entering the altitude exhaust system.

Duct Lab Special Features
Flow visualization measurements are obtained by both Schlieren and laser anemometry systems. A supplementary vacuum purge system, for control of boundary layers, uses two 400-CFM blowers and two 150-CFM mechanical pumps. Data acquisition system is capable of measuring 372 pressures and 48 temperatures.