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Michael, the original water vapor vortex was created by Ned Kahn for  
the Exploratorium, and Ned has built several others since.  The  
project you describe sounds technically challenging, and it would be  
easy to spend a lot of money on a solution that doesn't work very  
well, so I would definitely try to get Ned involved.  He's at  
www.nedkahn.com.

Chuck Howarth
Gyroscope, Inc.

On Aug 3, 2007, at 6:33 AM, Michael Driver wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, PA, wishes to construct a cloud
> vortex into which the children can walk.  The parameters are shown
> below.  They are looking for help in answering the questions.
>
>
>
> WARM WATER VAPER CLOUD
>
> Objective:
>
> *        To generate a visible warm water vapor cloud.
>
> *        The cloud must be of a low enough temperature that a person
> could stand in it.
>
> *        The objective of the cloud is to create a raising column of
> mist within a tall (about 30') glass sculpture structure.
>
> *        The shape of the glass sculpture will generate a vortex  
> cloud.
>
> *        The system wants to be as passive as possible.
>
> *        The system wants to be as low maintenance as possible.
>
> Site parameters:
>
> *        Park near Children's Museum of Pittsburgh PA
>
> *        Weather                                   Ambient Temp. 0  
> F to
> 90 F degrees
>
>                                                              
> Humidity 10%
> to 95%
>
> *        A shallow concrete heated vessel below a grating.
>
> Both about 15' in diameter.
>
> The concrete would be heated to the temperature needed to create the
> cloud and prevent it from freezing in the winter.
>
> *        Steam Condensate lines are available near by.
>
>                                                             Pressure
> 7 to 13 PSI
>
>                                                             Temp
> 140F to 160F
>
>                                                             Size
> 6"
>
>                                                             Depth
> 3' to 6'
>
> Questions:
>
> *        What are the parameters needed to generate the warm water  
> vapor
> cloud.
>
> *        What temperature should the concrete be heated to?
>
> *        What should the depth of hot water be?
>
> *        What might the evaporation rate be?  (For flow rate of Steam
> Condensate)
>
> *        What distance above the hot water should the grating be in
> order to have a safe temperature for the grating (bare feet) or a  
> person
> standing in the cloud?
>
> *        Should there be make up air brought in below the grating? How
> big?
>
>
>
>
>
> Michael C. Driver PhD
>
> Director of Information Services
>
> Materials Research Society
>
> 724 779 3004 x401
>
>
>
>
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