Noise Reduction by Water Injection: Water Muffles F-16 Noise Test
Mechanical Engineering
Video of a test in Netherlands based on FSU's research in the Fluid Mechanic Research Lab (FMRL). It is one of those rare events in academic life where a concept from a lab is successfully tested in a full-scale application. This is what makes engineering research fun and rewarding. The entire concept was developed at FSU with FSU Mechanical Engineering graduate, Dr. Brent Greska playing a significant role
The technology used in this video is based on the US patent (#8225592) awarded on July 2012 with the inventors being Professor Krothapalli and Dr. Brent Greska.
National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) of the Netherlands teamed up with the Netherlands Defense Academy and the Royal Netherlands Air Force to develop an ingenious water-based means of reducing noise coming from F-16 fighter jets during engine testing. The new method reduces noise impact for residents in the areas surrounding airbases and for air-force personnel on site.
NLR used a test installation to analyze the noise reduction that large quantities of water can have on the engine outlet of the F-16. The installation consisted of a ring with a dozen nozzles through which water was pumped at high pressure into the engine's thrust stream. The noise impact was measured by an array of microphones positioned at various distances from the jet. The water not only reduced noise levels, but also positively altered the nature of the noise in terms of human perception. Adjustable nozzles ensured that the water flow could be altered to suit the F-16 nozzle at various engine settings. The safety of ground personnel working with the installation was one of the key design factors. To this end, all of the installation's components were tested under much higher pressures than they will be used in practice.
The research conducted in collaboration with Florida State University and the National Center for Physical Acoustics was completed in just five months.
F16 Waterinjection Leeuwarden (with voiceover)
Watch F16 Waterinjection Leeuwarden.
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