Facilities

The Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics Laboratory (LabMFA) at COPPE/UFRJ provides a state-of-the-art infrastructure that supports both experimental and numerical research in fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, heat transfer, and multiphase flow simulations.

Numerical Facilities

Complementing its experimental tools, LabMFA maintains a strong numerical modeling infrastructure focused on high-fidelity simulation of complex fluid flows:

High-Performance Computing:

LabMFA operates a modern computing infrastructure that combines powerful servers, high-speed networking, and secure data storage, supporting advanced numerical simulations in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, and multiphase flows.

The cluster includes 3-noded Dell servers with complementary configurations:

a) The first is a Dell R650xs (hostname abeto), equipped with two Intel Xeon Silver 4316 processors running at 2.30 GHz, each with 20 cores (40 total), 50 MB of L2 cache and 60 MB of L3 cache. It provides 256 GB of RAM (4×64 GB RDIMM, 3200 MT/s, Dual Rank) and 960 GB of SSD storage, optimized for multiphysics simulations requiring high memory bandwidth.

b) The second, also a Dell R650xs (hostname pinho), features the same dual Intel Xeon Silver 4316 processors at 2.30 GHz, for a total of 40 cores, with 25 MB of L2 cache and 30 MB of L3 cache per processor. Like abeto, it offers 256 GB of RAM and 960 GB of SSD storage, ensuring redundancy and balanced performance across the system.

c) The third, a Dell PowerEdge R650 (hostname jacaranda), is configured with a single Intel Xeon Gold 6348 processor at 2.60 GHz, offering 28 cores, 35 MB of L2 cache, and 42 MB of L3 cache. It is equipped with 128 GB of RAM (4×32 GB RDIMM, 3200 MT/s, Dual Rank) and a larger 1.87 TB SSD, making it particularly suitable for jobs requiring faster core performance and expanded storage.

Complementing the servers, LabMFA maintains a Synology NAS system with a dual-core 2.3 GHz processor, 4 GB of memory, and 24 TB of RAID-configured storage, dedicated to the safe organization, archiving, and backup of large-scale scientific datasets.

To guarantee high throughput and efficient communication between nodes and storage, the infrastructure is interconnected via a 48-port 10 Gbit/s high-speed switch, enabling fast data transfer, parallel computing scalability, and seamless integration across the cluster.

Together, these resources form a reliable, scalable, and versatile HPC environment, enabling researchers and students to tackle complex problems in computational fluid dynamics, turbulence, multiphase flows, and coupled fluid-structure interaction.

In-House Simulation Tools: The group develops custom solvers implemented in C++ and Python, integrating: - Finite Element Methods (FEM) - Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) mesh motion - High-order semi-Lagrangian advection - Explicit interface-tracking with curvature estimation via Laplace–Beltrami operators
Simulation Capabilities: - Single- and two-phase flows with deformable interfaces - Non-Newtonian and viscoelastic models - Fluid-structure interaction including rigid body motion - Conjugate heat transfer and thermal convection
Applications Include: - Microbubble coalescence and breakup - Biomedical and industrial flow modeling - Wind energy simulations - CO₂ capture, transport, and sequestration in porous media

Images and graphs include: - Photographs of the Dell and SGI high-performance computing clusters used for parallel simulations. - Rack-mounted server systems highlighting the lab’s computing infrastructure. - A SGI - Sylicon Graphics International - cluster used to perform multiprocessor/multicore parallel simulations is shown in the figure above. This cluster has been bought for a P&D project of the oil&gas industry in Brazil

Experimental Facilities

LabMFA maintains two dedicated wind tunnels that allow researchers, students, and collaborators to investigate a wide range of aerodynamic problems. Together, they combine versatility, precision, and accessibility, forming a unique environment for both high-level research and teaching.

Wind Tunnel 1 – High-Speed Subsonic Facility

Our first wind tunnel is a low-speed, open-circuit subsonic facility operating at ambient laboratory temperature. It was designed to perform high-fidelity aerodynamic tests and validate numerical models under controlled conditions.

Main Features:

Geometry and Structure

Test section: 41 cm × 32 cm, length 180 cm
Blue metallic-wall construction, with transparent and removable panels that facilitate optical access and easy model installation

Flow Conditions

Maximum airspeed: 110 km/h (≈ 30.6 m/s)
Speed variation achieved with flux blockers (without frequency inverters)
Driven by a powerful axial fan ensuring steady and uniform airflow

Flow Conditioning

Equally spaced screens minimize turbulence and stabilize the velocity profile in the test section

Instrumentation

Custom-built 3-component balance for lift, drag, and moment forces
Pitot tube for velocity calibration
Manometers for static and differential pressure
Automation system for programmed sweeps in angle of attack, yaw, and pitch

Applications

Precision aerodynamic testing of airfoils and small-scale devices
Benchmarking and validation of computational models
Studies of flow separation, transition, and thin-film formation

Wind Tunnel 2 – Large Cross-Section Facility

The second wind tunnel was developed to complement the high-speed system. With a larger cross-section and lower maximum speed, it is particularly suitable for educational use, flow visualization, and tests requiring more space.

Main Features:

Geometry and Structure

Test section: 100 cm × 100 cm, length 100 cm
Solid wooden walls with transparent and removable panels for accessibility and visualization

Flow Conditions

Maximum airspeed: 10 km/h (≈ 2.8 m/s)
Flow control by flux blockers
Driven by an axial fan

Flow Conditioning

Equally spaced screens to align and stabilize airflow across the wide section

Instrumentation

Pitot tube for velocity measurements
Manometer for pressure readings

Applications

Teaching and training in experimental aerodynamics
Calibration of instruments and sensors
Flow visualization at larger scales
Low-speed studies for conceptual and educational demonstrations

LabMFA Wind Tunnel Capabilities

By maintaining two complementary wind tunnels, LabMFA offers a flexible platform that serves both cutting-edge research and educational training:

The first tunnel provides the high-speed precision required for academic and industrial-grade aerodynamic investigations.

The second tunnel provides a large workspace for low-speed flows, making it ideal for teaching, outreach, and practical training of students.

Images and graphs include:

General and front views of the wind tunnel test section and balance setup.
Plots comparing experimental lift and drag coefficients with standard

reference data.

Location and Integration

The experimental facilities, combined with LabMFA’s advanced numerical infrastructure, provide an integrated environment where experiments and simulations complement each other seamlessly. This synergy enables high-precision validation of computational models and fosters innovative research in multiphase flows, aerodynamics, and heat transfer. Together, these capabilities establish LabMFA as a national reference center and a unique hub in Brazil for fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, open to collaboration with academic institutions, industry partners, and outreach initiatives that bring science closer to society.

LabMFA is strategically located within the Technology Center of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), on Ilha do Fundão. Positioned inside COPPE, one of Latin America’s largest graduate engineering institutes, the laboratory benefits from a dynamic collaborative ecosystem and close integration with a wide network of specialized research groups and laboratories. This environment not only strengthens interdisciplinary projects but also provides researchers and students with direct access to cutting-edge resources and an international academic community.