NESTRO at EXPO 2017

NESTRO Supplies Wind Tunnels for EXPO 2017 in Kazakhstan

NESTRO® Lufttechnik GmbH designed, planned, supplied and installed three complete re-circulating wind tunnels for the ‘Nur Alem’ pavilion of EXPO 2017 (10/6 to 10/9/17) in Astana, Kazakhstan. ‘Nur Alem’ is the architectural symbol of the world exhibition and, according to the organizers, the largest spherical building in the world with a diameter of 80 m and a height of 100 m. Designed as a museum of the future, the basic energy sources can be experienced on the six upper floors: space, sun, biomass, wind, water and kinetics.

The NESTRO® wind tunnels allow visitors to the exhibition to experience and feel air-stream speeds of 3, of 5 and of 7 Bft. (Beaufort) in three areas on the sixth floor. Three solar-powered, frequency-controlled, high-performance tube axial fans with blades made of cast aluminum in three separate systems produce the respectively required volume flow rates of 32,400, 55,000 and 80,000 m³/h for this purpose. A wind force of 3 Bft. with wind speeds of 12 to 19 km/h is called a weak breeze, setting leaves and thin twigs in constant motion, and extending pennants. At 5 Bft. with wind speeds of 29 to 38 km/h, it is called a fresh breeze. Larger branches and trees move, and the wind becomes clearly audible. High winds are 7 Bft. with speeds of 50 to 61 km/h. This wind force makes whole trees sway. The visitor feels strong resistance when walking against the wind. This way, visitors can experience and feel the effect of wind energy in the truest sense of the word, giving visitors a direct impression of the power of this force of nature.

The internationally operating Swiss company, ADUNIC AG, who specializes in the conceptualization and implementation of unique projects - mostly architecturally sophisticated, temporary buildings - first approached NESTRO® as client in January 2017 to discuss the wind tunnel project. Within a very short time, the engineers of the German company, NESTRO®, developed the project, obtained structural and acoustic certification and implemented it in record time in Astana, Kazakhstan, 4,500 km away.

Founded in 1977, NESTRO® Lufttechnik GmbH is currently one of the large established manufacturers of products and systems for extraction and filter technology and for their downstream heating technology, for surface engineering and for sorting and disposal technology. About 180 employees develop and produce the equipment according to individual customer specifications at the three production sites in Germany, Poland and Hungary.