Thread: Flow Stacks and Turbines

I'm watching MythBusters and they were using a Hurricane Simulator to test how a trailer would hold up against wind with windows open.

Anyway, essentially all the Hurricane Simulator is, is a bunch of giant turbines, and the turbine outlets had flow stacks.

I wonder why? Probably because it increases flow




Now if you've been living under a rock and have never hard of a flow stack (JWT, BPi, etc.) check this BPi Product review.

While their flowstacks make sense, it's not very effective on a closed loop system such as a turbocharger with intercooler piping, etc.

Actually it still is pretty affective. The flow stack helps stabilize the air right before it hits the turbine. I saw smoother and little faster spool times while on the dyno with a flow stack.

Ontop of that, I saw more accurate readings from the MAF when I was draw through.

Which end of that device is the front and which is the back?

Ah yes I had that in question myself, and the flat end where you see the turbines. Basically the flow stacks are on the draw through side.

Even if the flow stack is on the output side, it still helps to stabalise the immediate pressure drop. Although small, probably helps for more accurate directed output!

im partially lost. im understanding the tech. jargin and read a couple pages of the link provided at the top...but where does it go? does it go in place of the airfilter element?

EDIT: aw shoot...my bad. i should have read a FEW pages instead of only a COUPLE! haha. i see the posted pictures in that link provided. thanks.

Well when I first saw them talking about that simulator and they showed a pictured, I figured the flow stack side was the output pressure side. Not sure why, but because it looked bizarre and random, just like window would be.

But when I saw that the pressure side was the flat side, it started making sense that they are basically putting flow stacks on turbo intake/inlets.

Found the video!

YouTube - MythBusters - Hurricane Windows - Trailer Trashed

Guess I misunderstood the placement reference the pictures. If you have the flowstack on the inlet, great. Flowstacks on the outlet (forced air coming out) IMO will make very little if any difference at all, because of the fact that it's a closed loop system, and having to take many other variables into consideration. Intercooler, maf, and bov all come to mind when you're trying to make smoother airflow. The above items just reverse what your trying to do to improve optimum airflow into the intake manifold.

I thought those tube were basically to prevent those turbines from sucking air all within close proximity to one-another. Or is that just what flow stacks do...?

Anyway, neat episode of MB's for sure. I ♥ that show.