Wind Wave Tank for Experimental Investigation of Momentum and Enthalpy Transfer from the Ocean Surface at High Wind Speed

Thermodynamic analysis and numerical modeling of hurricane intensity has shown that its is controlled by the enthalpy transfer from the ocean surface and by drag. Direct measurements of drag, evaporation, and sensible heat transfer are not easily performed on the high seas. Therefore, a wind wave tank has been constructed in which a few aspects of a tropical storm are simulated. The air velocity inside the annular tank is comparable to that of hurricane. However, the three dimensionality of the tank obscures the quantitative comparison between experiments and actual conditions over the surface of the ocean at high wind speeds. The design of the wind wave tank and the initial experiments create a foundation for future and more comprehensive experimental programs. This thesis focuses mainly on the design and engineering of the tank, and on the fluid mechanics of the rotational flow in the tank. It also provides preliminary experimental data on the drag at high wind speeds obtained by using spindown experiments.