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| Date: | Mon, 6 Aug 2007 08:32:08 -0500 |
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
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We have a small vortex (tornado) exhibit that creates about a four foot
tall funnel. It uses two airstreams: one pulling up and out the top and
another directed thru a series of small holes lined up vertically from
the side for rotation. It uses one of those small ultrasonic(?) devices
that are found in table top fountains and such. I have seen them for
sale from Edmund Science. I am not sure what your real goal is. If you
just want a big vortex then you don't need to heat the water and can use
a larger scale fog/mist device and fans. But if you are actually
intending to create lift from warm/humid air that would be really
interesting. As an exhibit designer these are the things I would be
concerned about: warm water is a great breeding ground for germs;
vaporized germs are a health hazard; we now know that breathing chlorine
and bromine vapors in indoor or closed settings is also a health hazard;
the fine vapor/mist devices require pure water free of impurities and
may require additional treatment such as softening. I think all these
can be solved but it could be a bit complicated.
But if you really want something incredible check out Ned Kahn's flaming
vortexes! Now that would be something on a cold winter day in
Pittsburgh. Kind of reminiscent of those former steel mills.
Erich Rose
Exhibit Manager
Austin Children's Museum
201 Colorado Street
Austin, TX 78701
512-472-2499 ext 207
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Willam Katzman
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 7:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Vortex Generation
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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I would also question whether you could achieve a safe warm water vapor
cloud in the summer. It may be possible, but it's daunting on such a
large scale in an outdoor environment (I'm thinking that producing a
non-scalding steam vent that has a 15' diameter on a humid summer day is
going to be incredibly difficult). With such a large structure, you may
want to look into producing fog using water going through fine cloud
producing spray nozzles. The other classic ways of doing it include
transducers or your classic warm mist vaporizer (or just boiling water).
I've never used the cloud producing spray nozzles, but they are used at
theme parks and other "large scale" entities.
-William Katzman
Director of Exhibits
Catawba Science Center
(828) 322-8169 x307
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Driver [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 9:34 AM
Subject: Vortex Generation
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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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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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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