Design and characterization of the university of Toronto hybrid anechoic wind tunnel

Abstract

A detailed overview of the hybrid anechoic wind tunnel at UTIAS is presented, highlighting its design and performance features. The findings demonstrated that the tunnel achieves a uniform flow with very low turbulence intensity, matching the performance of similar open-loop wind tunnel facilities. The anechoic chamber effectively reduces noise with a cutoff frequency of around 160 Hz, providing a suitable environment for a broad spectrum of aeroacoustic measurements. The versatility of the wind tunnel was illustrated through its application in various aerodynamic and aeroacoustic studies, showcasing examples such as the NACA 0012 airfoil, the multi-element 30P30N configuration, and finite-span airfoil investigations. Moreover, the facility's Overall Sound Pressure Level (OASPL) is on par with other prominent global aeroacoustic wind tunnels, indicating its competitive performance and utility in the field.