AIR -SEA INTERACTIONS
393
former. Large dimensions have been chosen to meet with the requirements
of sufficiently high dimensionless numbers: the test section is 40 m long.
3.2 m wide, 1.5 m high for the airflow. and 0.75 to 1.0 m deep for the water
flow. The global effects of solar radiation are simulated by heating water,
and those of infrared radiative transfer by temperature control of the test
section ceiling. Evaporation. and convective heat transfer. are generated
through turbulent humidity and temperature boundary layers resulting from
control of the wet- and dry-bulb conditions for the incoming airflow. Lastly,
dynamical processes are modelled through generation of interfacial turbulent boundary layers under controlled velocity and preturbulence conditions, while wave motions are produced naturally as well as artificially with
the aid of a wavemaker.
3. DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL EQLIIPMENT
3.1. Lahoratorjl Fwilities
Owing to the importance and the exploratory nature of this long range
project, a one-fifth scale model of the air sea interaction simulation facility
has been built and used to check and improve upon the original design
characteristics for the large facility. Results from these preliminary tests and
a detailed description of the large wind -water tunnel can be found in the
above-mentioned references.
The general scheme of the facility and a diagram of its temperature and
humidity control equipment are given in Figs. 1 and 2. The realization of
this facility encompassed a period of approximately five years from preliminary drafts to the first scientific experiments in early 1972. Due to its size, a
new laboratory has been built which houses, not only the large facility and
its auxiliary equipment, but also the one-fifth scale tunnel which is still being
-\ used for research work. In addition, the laboratory contains probecalibrating systems together with the necessary workshops, offices, and other
supplementary work areas that are required by a research effort of this scale.
The various components of the facility are equipped with transducers, the
electrical outputs of which are connected to analogue regulators and recorders controlled from a central console. A recently installed digital process
control system will, in the future, allow automatic, continuous supervision
and operation of the entire facility.
3.2. lrt.st,.irriirntutiori m l Dato Procrssing
Experimental studies of small-scale, air -sea interactions require the recording of various physical variables. some of which raise new instrumental
problems. For example, the measurement of turbulent velocity and temprature fluctuations in water necessitated the development of specific techniques
393
former. Large dimensions have been chosen to meet with the requirements
of sufficiently high dimensionless numbers: the test section is 40 m long.
3.2 m wide, 1.5 m high for the airflow. and 0.75 to 1.0 m deep for the water
flow. The global effects of solar radiation are simulated by heating water,
and those of infrared radiative transfer by temperature control of the test
section ceiling. Evaporation. and convective heat transfer. are generated
through turbulent humidity and temperature boundary layers resulting from
control of the wet- and dry-bulb conditions for the incoming airflow. Lastly,
dynamical processes are modelled through generation of interfacial turbulent boundary layers under controlled velocity and preturbulence conditions, while wave motions are produced naturally as well as artificially with
the aid of a wavemaker.
3. DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTAL EQLIIPMENT
3.1. Lahoratorjl Fwilities
Owing to the importance and the exploratory nature of this long range
project, a one-fifth scale model of the air sea interaction simulation facility
has been built and used to check and improve upon the original design
characteristics for the large facility. Results from these preliminary tests and
a detailed description of the large wind -water tunnel can be found in the
above-mentioned references.
The general scheme of the facility and a diagram of its temperature and
humidity control equipment are given in Figs. 1 and 2. The realization of
this facility encompassed a period of approximately five years from preliminary drafts to the first scientific experiments in early 1972. Due to its size, a
new laboratory has been built which houses, not only the large facility and
its auxiliary equipment, but also the one-fifth scale tunnel which is still being
-\ used for research work. In addition, the laboratory contains probecalibrating systems together with the necessary workshops, offices, and other
supplementary work areas that are required by a research effort of this scale.
The various components of the facility are equipped with transducers, the
electrical outputs of which are connected to analogue regulators and recorders controlled from a central console. A recently installed digital process
control system will, in the future, allow automatic, continuous supervision
and operation of the entire facility.
3.2. lrt.st,.irriirntutiori m l Dato Procrssing
Experimental studies of small-scale, air -sea interactions require the recording of various physical variables. some of which raise new instrumental
problems. For example, the measurement of turbulent velocity and temprature fluctuations in water necessitated the development of specific techniques