During the last couple of weeks, attempts to mitigate the RVR using a method that belongs to the IPM family have been performed in the LTU test rig. The goal right now is to use the knowledge and experience that we gain from these measurements to optimize the tests that we will perform later on in the U9 model in Älvkarleby, says Joel Sundström from LTU. In addition to serve as an input to the Älvkarleby tests, we hope that these measurements can be used to validate our CFD codes as well, and of course to increase our understanding of how IPM affects the RVR. We are currently also implementing the controller that is being developed within WP4 together with the IPM system in order to optimize the mitigation.
The tests performed so far have shown some promising results; however, as usual, new questions have been raised. In the present setup, the draft tube cone is made out of aluminum; as such, we cannot measure the velocity field in the cone using for instance PIV. We do have access to a Plexiglas cone, and this was used previously for our PIV measurements. Presently, however, the Plexiglas cone is not adapted for mitigation. A long term goal is to modify the existing cone made out of Plexiglas such that we can perform mitigation and simultaneously measure the velocity field, Joel Sundström ends.
