Alden Small Flume
From Open Energy Information
| Basic Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Overseeing Organization | Alden Research Laboratory, Inc |
| Hydrodynamic Testing Facility Type | Flume
|
| Length(m) | 17.1 |
| Beam(m) | 1.8 |
| Depth(m) | 1.8 |
| Water Type | Freshwater
|
| Participation in TEAMER | |
| TEAMER Facility | Yes |
| TEAMER Facility Type | Tank/Flume |
| TEAMER Capability | Physical Modeling, Resource assessment and characterization, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP), Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADV), Current resource characterization, Current, bathymetry and site data analysis, Dynamometer, Field/open water channel testing, Field/open water river testing, Field/open water tidal flow testing, Indoor water channel or flume testing, Indoor wave flume testing, Indoor wave tank or basin testing, Tow tank testing, Turbine test platform, Wave resource characterization, Wave, bathymetry and site data analysis, Wind-water interactions testing |
| TEAMER Description | Alden has unique facilities to help developers test and improve their wave energy conversion equipment. Combined wave and wind loading as well as mooring techniques can be evaluated for wave energy capture systems on scaled models. Both linear and basin type wave tanks are available, as well as onsite field measurement services to provide bathymetry, wave height and direction measurements, current velocity measurements, water and tide level data acquisition, sediment-water interface monitoring, and biological surveys. Wave energy conversion systems have been tested at Alden since the 1980’s.
|
| Towing Capabilities | |
| Towing Capabilities | None
|
| Wavemaking Capabilities | |
| Wavemaking Capabilities | Yes |
| Maximum Wave Height(m) | 0.2 |
| Maximum Wave Length(m) | Variable |
| Wave Period Range(s) | 0 |
| Current Velocity Range(m/s) | 0 |
| Programmable Wavemaking | Yes |
| Wavemaking Description | Period adjustable electronically, height adjustable mechanically |
| Wave Direction | Uni-Directional |
| Simulated Beach | No |
| Channel/Tunnel/Flume | |
| Channel/Tunnel/Flume | Yes |
| Velocity(m/s) | >0.9 |
| Recirculating | No |
| Wind Capabilities | |
| Wind Capabilities | Yes |
| Wind Velocity Range(m/s) | Variable |
| Other Characteristics | Point measurement capability |
| Control and Data Acquisition | |
| Description | Differential pressure transducers, acoustic profiling, propeller meters, load cells, computer data acquisition systems. |
| Number of channels | Designed as needed |
| Cameras | Yes |
| Number of Color Cameras | 2 |
| Description of Camera Types | fully-submersible; multiplexor for four cameras; digital recording from all cameras; digital handheld |
| Available Sensors | Acceleration, Acoustics, Displacement, Flow, Power conversion effectiveness and generation, Pressure Range(psi), Thermal, Velocity, Vibration |
| Data Generation Capability | |
| Real-Time | Yes |
| Data Comparison to Computational Models | Designed as needed |
| Integrated Display/Graphics | Lab View, Test Point |
| Test Services | |
| Utility Services Available | 110 V to 480 V, 3 phase |
| On-Site fabrication capability/equipment | Full on-site carpentry, machine, and instrumentation shops |
| Past Pertinent Test Experience | Breakwater design wave testing |
| Special Characteristics | |
| Special Characteristics | Yes |
| Types of Co-located facilities | Co-located fish holding facility is ideal for evaluating the impacts of generation devices on fish. |
| Specializations, Capabilities, and Key Facility Attributes Not Covered Elsewhere |
This is a recirculating flume facility, so a constant velocity can be maintained indefinitely. This allows collection of a much greater amount of data than possible in tow tanks. Alden's biologists are highly experienced in assessing the impacts of generation devices on fish and the facilities allow for accurate testing with fish in a highly controlled environment. |