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The engineer interested in generating the vortex has asked me to post
this e-mail to the group.

 

Michael C. Driver PhD

Director of Information Services

Materials Research Society

724 779 3004 x401

 

________________________________

From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2007 2:59 PM
To: Michael Driver
Subject: Vortex Generation Revision 1

 

I want to thank those who responded to my first attempt at this problem.

It made me realize that I needed to provide more information & think 
about this in other ways I had not done before.

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, PA, working with Ned Kahn 
wishes to construct a cloud vortex into which the children can walk.
WARM WATER VAPOR CLOUD

Objective:       
*        To generate a visible warm water vapor cloud.
*        The objective of the cloud is to create a raising column of
warm
         mist within a tall (about 30') glass sculpture structure.
*        The shape of the slotted glass sculpture will generate a vortex
as 
          the warm cloud rises and pulls air through the slotted sides.
*        The cloud must be of a low enough temperature that a person
          could stand in it.
*        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%
          (We understand that it may not work in all weather
conditions.)     
*        A shallow concrete heated vessel below a grating.
         Both about 15' in diameter.
         The distance between the grating and the vessel could be as 
         much as 8' to 10'.
         (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'
*        Steam lines are also available near by if a higher temperature 
         is needed.
Questions:      
*        What are the parameters needed to generate the warm water 
         vapor cloud?
*        What temperature should the concrete vessel be heated to?
*        What are the health implications of this installation?
*        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 or how much?

Dennis C. McCarthy R.A.
phone:    (412) 341-9277
mobile:   (412) 398-0686
[log in to unmask]
240 Woodhaven Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15228




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