Atmospheric Boundary Layer Simulation in a Wind Tunnel for Analysis of the Wind Flow at the Centro de Lancamento de Alcantara

摘要

The Centro de Lancamento de Alcantara (CLA) is the main Brazilian Launching Center. In spite of presenting several desirable aspects due to its proximity of the Equator, it has a peculiar topography due to the existence of a coastal cliff, which modifies the characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) in a way that can affect rocket-launching operations. This work is a continuation of previous experimental studies about the flow pattern at CLA and presents an improved way for simulation of an atmospheric boundary layer in a short test section wind tunnel. PIV flow maps around the coastal cliff and the Mobile Integration Tower (MIT).