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W.M. Sanders III and J.W. Falco
FACILITY
The AEcoS facilities center around a controlled environmental chamber, 72 feet long,
12 feet wide, and 9 feet high (Fig. 1), which houses an experimental stream channel, 64
feet long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches deep. Associated with the chamber is a control
room, a computer facility, mechanical equipment, biological and chemical laboratories,
and electronics and machine shops.
Fig. 1
Floor plan-schematic of chamber facilities
Specifications call for air temperature within the chamber to be controlled ± 0.55°C
over a programmed range from 0 to 40°C with a maximum rate of change of 40°C per
hour. Air velocities above the channel are not to exceed 4.5 feet per second (fps) and the
temperature tolerance must be maintained along the entire length of the channel axis.
Likewise, the humidity control must be within 2% relative humidity (RH) from 20% to
95% RH over the entire temperature range and during maximum rate of change of 60%
RH per hour, independent of temperature changes. Air within the chamber is drawn into
two fan-coil units located in a recess in one wall and forced back into the room through
ducts across the ceiling to a distribution system mounted along the opposite wall. The air
is dehumidified in the coil units; humidity is returned to the air by steam injection. The
chamber atmosphere may be exchanged with outside air up to ten volumes per hour.
The channel (Fig. 2) is constructed of one-half inch Plexiglass and is divided into eight
8-foot sections. The sections are bolted together through double reinforced flanges
located at each end, sealed with a neoprene gasket. The entire channel is lined with
adhesive-backed, four-mil Teflon film to exclude undesired contact between the water
and unknown plastic or rubber residues and to prevent adsorption and carry-over of trace
materials from one experiment to another. The Teflon film can be removed and replaced
when necessary.
The channel is supported on a slotted, steel angle base with vertical supports and
leveling screws located at four-foot intervals. This frame may be easily modified to meet
future requirements for special channel configurations.
The primary water supply for the AEcoS is produced by four, 30-gallon per hour
W.M. Sanders III and J.W. Falco
FACILITY
The AEcoS facilities center around a controlled environmental chamber, 72 feet long,
12 feet wide, and 9 feet high (Fig. 1), which houses an experimental stream channel, 64
feet long, 18 inches wide, and 24 inches deep. Associated with the chamber is a control
room, a computer facility, mechanical equipment, biological and chemical laboratories,
and electronics and machine shops.
Fig. 1
Floor plan-schematic of chamber facilities
Specifications call for air temperature within the chamber to be controlled ± 0.55°C
over a programmed range from 0 to 40°C with a maximum rate of change of 40°C per
hour. Air velocities above the channel are not to exceed 4.5 feet per second (fps) and the
temperature tolerance must be maintained along the entire length of the channel axis.
Likewise, the humidity control must be within 2% relative humidity (RH) from 20% to
95% RH over the entire temperature range and during maximum rate of change of 60%
RH per hour, independent of temperature changes. Air within the chamber is drawn into
two fan-coil units located in a recess in one wall and forced back into the room through
ducts across the ceiling to a distribution system mounted along the opposite wall. The air
is dehumidified in the coil units; humidity is returned to the air by steam injection. The
chamber atmosphere may be exchanged with outside air up to ten volumes per hour.
The channel (Fig. 2) is constructed of one-half inch Plexiglass and is divided into eight
8-foot sections. The sections are bolted together through double reinforced flanges
located at each end, sealed with a neoprene gasket. The entire channel is lined with
adhesive-backed, four-mil Teflon film to exclude undesired contact between the water
and unknown plastic or rubber residues and to prevent adsorption and carry-over of trace
materials from one experiment to another. The Teflon film can be removed and replaced
when necessary.
The channel is supported on a slotted, steel angle base with vertical supports and
leveling screws located at four-foot intervals. This frame may be easily modified to meet
future requirements for special channel configurations.
The primary water supply for the AEcoS is produced by four, 30-gallon per hour