The Penn State Full-scale Schlieren System

A very large schlieren optical system (2.3x2.9m field-of-view) and its applications in thermal airflow visualization, high-speed imaging of shock waves, and full-scale equipment studies are described. In order to have such a large field-of-view this is a lens-and-grid-type schlieren system using a very large grid as a light source, as first described at the 7 ISFV. It is currently the largest indoor schlieren system in the world. Examples of many full-scale airflows and heat-transfer problems visualized in the last decade are shown. These include heating and ventilation airflows, the thermal plumes of people, the aerodynamics of an explosive trace detection portal, gas leak detection, shock wave motion associated with aviation security problems, and the discharge of firearms. Planned future projects at full scale are also discussed.