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Aerodynamic aspects and power efficiency of longitudinally ventilated road vehicle tunnels

The power efficiency of longitudinal ventilation of road tunnels is investigated. The power efficiency is defined as the percentage of the electrical power delivered to the fans that is actually converted into kinetic energy of the airflow through the tunnel. For road tunnels the power efficiency is only 10 percent or even less. A theoretical model is developed that allows analysis of the various loss mechanisms. Includes the analysis of laboratory performance test data of real jet fans. The results are combined into a method that can support the design of optimal longitudinal ventilation systems within given constraints. The method can also be used to analyze test results for longitudinally ventilated road vehicle tunnels. It is shown that the method predicts the Wijkertunnel test results with good accuracy. Recommendations are given how to improve the power efficiency. Some of these will require further research for which recommendations are given as well.

Datum rapport
26 maart 1998
Auteur
A.C. de Bruin and W.B. de Wolf; Nationaal Lucht- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium
Uitgever
NLR.
Annotatie 
90 p. 
ill.
(NLR report ; NLR-CR-98185)
Investigation carried out under a contract awarded by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Bouwdienst Rijkswaterstaat (RWS, BD))
With 32 ref.
Documentnummer
136056