The Thermo-Fluids Lab is located on the GW Foggy Bottom Campus in the heart of Washington DC. We have space in the Science and Engineering Hall (SEH) and Tompkins Hall. Additionally we have a satellite lab on the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, VA.
A-Lab: SEH 3300A
We have 1320 sq ft of shared space to develop laser and optical diagnostics and operate small facilities.
B-Lab: Tompkins B03
This is where we do Big things. This lab is a 1540 sq ft high bay with 3 cranes, 300 kVA of electrical power, strong floor, and adjacent support rooms. It currently houses the Sloshing Tank, Index Match Loop, the new Free Surface Loop, and a four column hydraulic press.
The laboratory has a 30 gpm hydraulic pump with accumulators to operate hydraulic actuators. It also has two steam supplies and water treatment and purification systems. Additionally, the laboratory is equipped with adequate laser safety system to operate a broad range of lasers.
C-Lab: VSTC, 224 Exploration Hall
At VSTC we have 700 sq ft, 15′ ceiling, and 250 kVA of electrical power.
Sloshing Tank
This facility is in the B-lab of Tompkins Hall. The sloshing tank is 20′ x 8′ x 4′. It is excited linearly by a 22 kips (100 kN) hydraulic actuator with closed feedback control. The overall facility weighs ~6 tons dry. The facility was developed for the US DOE.
Time lapse of the frame assembly.
Index Matched Loop
Liquid and structures (acrylic) are refractive index matched to enable detailed measurements of velocity fields in complex geometries. This loop used to be on the GW earthquake shake table. It has now been rebuilt in Tompkins Hall. It has a 100 Hp pump. A second test section has been added to the loop, which can currently house either 3 nuclear fuel assemblies in a row (1/2 height PWR assemblies) or one full height PWR bundle. This facility has been supported by the US DOE and the French CEA.
Free Surface Loop
This new loop is under construction for ONR. It is also located in the B-lab.
Stratified Jet
Fluid Structure Interaction Loop