Design, validation, and benchmark tests of the aeroacoustic wind tunnel in SUSTech

The aeroacoustic wind tunnel at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is a new facility commissioned for studies of sound generation mechanisms, noise reduction methods, and aerodynamic designs. The wind tunnel is operated at low Mach numbers and low-to-moderate Reynolds numbers. This study details the design methodology for wind-tunnel major components. The validation tests of the flow quality are performed by pitot-tube and hot-wire measurements, and those of the aeroacoustic performance are conducted by far-field microphone measurements. The aerodynamic and acoustic performance is compared with established data, and the results show that the wind tunnel has a high quality of flow field and low background noise levels. A benchmark test of airfoil tonal noise is conducted by microphone and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. The observed tones exhibit consistent features with existing experimental observations and the mechanisms are explained with the help of flow field near the trailing edge.