Design and characterization of a pressure equalization system for the CICLoPE long pipe facility

This thesis investigates the design and experimental characterization of a pressure equalization system for the CICLoPE wind tunnel, a leading facility for high-Reynolds-number turbulence research. The study assesses the aerodynamic impact of the newly introduced equalization system after recent flooding by analyzing pressure distribution and turbulence characteristics across different configurations: fully closed, fully open, and partially equalized with foam inserts. Static pressure measurements, obtained via wall taps, were used to evaluate key flow parameters, while velocity fluctuations, measured through hot-wire anemometry, provided insights into turbulence properties and energy spectra. Results show that the equalization system effectively reduces pressure differentials without significantly altering turbulence characteristics and properties. Comparison with reference datasets, including the Princeton SuperPipe and previous characterization of the wind tunnel, validates the experimental data and confirms the wind tunnel’s reliability for high-fidelity turbulence studies. The findings demonstrate the system's effectiveness in stabilizing the test section while preserving high-Reynolds-number turbulence properties. Future work will focus on near-wall flow investigations and alternative equalization materials.