Circulating Water Channel

The Circulating Water Channel is used for flow visualization and to show the flow around thrusters, propulsors, rudders, and appendages. Other novel uses include modeling smoke and exhaust gas flow around the superstructure and deck of a ship. An oil spill from a ruptured tanker hull section has been modeled using lubricating oil mixed with dye. Details of smoke spreading inside a hull have been visualized using a dye technique modeling density differences of the dyed water in a clear plexiglass model hull. Scale fishing nets have also been tested. Commercial uses of this facility include maritime shipping industry, fishing industry, and oceanographic engineering applications.