The Dust Problem in Hot-Wire Anemometry

Abstract

Summary Experimental work is described showing that a major cause of changes in the calibrations of hot-wire anemometers consists in the precipitation of dust on the upstream surface of the wire during use. A simple means of cleaning the air in closed-circuit wind tunnels is described. The rate of change of calibration due to dust was reduced in the Manchester University Fluid Motion Laboratory by at least a factor of 15, by adequate cleaning of the air and by minimising the amount of interchange between the tunnel air and the atmosphere. It is concluded that where accurate results are required from hot wires used in a wind tunnel, the tunnel should be designed to be dust-free.