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The subject of study involves the handling of liquids and gases in the order of micro-litres and in micro scale resolution. Microfluidic structures are very fine in the context of the macro world, and standard dimensions are around 100 µm, but even finer, depending on the manufacturing process. Visualization are used to study events and processes inside microstructures. Events taking place in fine structures are influenced by parameters such as liquid resistance, interfacial forces, diffusion transfer of molecules and mutual interactions both at the chemical and thermodynamic levels. The analysis of the behaviour of liquids in microfluidic systems involves a change of approach in deriving the influence of input conditions on the resulting behaviour and the course of interactions both between the wall of the structure and the liquid, but also in the liquid itself. The methodology and production of a microfluidic device usually uses a number of technologies. The process often combines a lithographic technique with a controlled etching or laser engraving method. This article introduces the initial experiments with droplet microfluidic generators, which took place at TUL - CXI and subsequently led to the construction of your own implementation in the form of a capillary chip that can be used in pharmacy.

This article presents the feasibilities of bacterial disintegration using ultrasonic atomization. Ultrasound creates acoustic cavitation, which by its effects represents a high gradient of pressure in the form of a shock wave and a local force effect. In our case, the ultrasonic excitation produces a fine micron mist of 3 micrometers. The generated microcavities create a cavitation cloud that is able to disintegrate the foam-forming bacteria or even inactivate bacterial cells. The main goal of the research is the use of ultrasound to disintegrate the foam-forming bacteria during the impact of acoustic cavitation on living cells.

Cavitation bubbles generated via laser-induced breakdown are investigated experimentally. The present work focuses on the direction of the first bubble collapse near a solid surface in distilled water. The solid surface is placed first to the right side in a cuvette filled with distilled water and then placed to the top of the cuvette. In this experiment, it is observed in which direction the cavitation bubble collapses. The cavitation bubble is visualized by a high-speed camera of frequency 68kHz.

This article presents the sterilization of bacteria using cavitation bubbles. Cavitation generated by ultrasound creates a cavitation cloud. Therefore is more advantageous to generate the cavitation bubbles by laser-induced breakdown, because it is possible to generate individual bubbles for the purpose of study single impact and physical mechanism of acting. The cavitation bubble is generated by a Nd: YAG 532nm laser beam, a short 10ns pulse. Here, we used optics to focus the laser beam and a high-speed camera to visualize characteristics the bubble. We used the method of long-distance microscopy and shadowgraph lightening for the visualization. We used the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method to determine the interaction of the bubble with the surrounding liquid and solid surface. The main goal of the research is to use cavitation to sterilize bacteria and biofilm in impact of single bubble collapse on living cells.

The blood flow in anomalous carotid bifurcation is associated with stroke. Changed character of the flow, especially the occurrence of vortex structures, has showed a high correlation with thrombus formation and the development of atherosclerotic changes. The purpose of this work is to perform comparative model measurements of the flow inside the internal carotid bifurcation and to evaluate the influence of the geometry - stenosis, aneurysm on changes in the interaction of the fluid with the wall surface, i.e. on the local hemodynamic. The study uses the Global Imaging Methods for visualization and measurement of the phantom blood flow. The evaluation of the measured dataset and their subsequent analysis confirms the impact on the origin and development of pathological changes.

The motivation of this research was to determine the flow interactions on the pulsation and to express the influence on the flow character in the rigid and flexible tube. The character of Newtonian liquid was measured with the Particle Image Velocimetry method (PIV). Here, we used glass tube and Tygon tube for our comparison. We build the circuit equipped with membrane pump for generating pulsatile flow. The results were analysed over the pulse period sampled in 10 time steps. The fluid flow varied from Re 560 to Re 8800. The velocity profiles uncovered backward revers flows closed to the wall. These structures are prevailing close to flexible wall. The effect of interaction between pulsatile liquid flow and flexible wall was experimentally proved.

The liquid-liquid dispersion properties are studied mainly by image analysis (IA) and Interferometric Particle Imaging (IPI). Drop sizes will be investigated in dilute dispersion since in this case the break up phenomena is the dominating and is not affected by phase fraction. Characteristics of the size distribution and the evolution of two liquid-liquid phase’s disintegration were studied. The IPI method was used for subsequent detailed study of the disintegrated droplets. We compared two liquids: Rhodosil Oil 47V50, and Silicone Oil AP1000 under stirrer rate of 540 rpm, and 760 rpm. The experiment run in the scaled model of agitated tank with Rushton turbine.

There have been tried many types of liquids with different ranges of viscosity values that have been tested to form a single cavitation bubble. The purpose of these experiments was to observe the behaviour of cavitation bubbles in media with different ranges of absorbance. The most of the method was based on spark to induced superheat limit of liquid. Here we used arrangement of the laser-induced breakdown (LIB) method. There were described the set cavitation setting that affects the size bubble in media with different absorbance. We visualized the cavitation bubble with a 60 kHz high speed camera. We used here shadowgraphy setup for the bubble visualization. There were observed time development and bubble extinction in various media, where the size of the bubble in the silicone oil was extremely small, due to the absorbance size of silicon oil.

The article deals with the research of mixing process using visualization techniques and IPI method. Characteristics of the size distribution and the evolution of two liquid-liquid phase's disintegration were studied. A methodology has been proposed for visualization and image analysis of data acquired during the initial phase of the mixing process. IPI method was used for subsequent detailed study of the disintegrated droplets. The article describes advantages of usage of appropriate method, presents the limits of each method, and compares them.

When measuring turbine prototype flow, a number of modes with different flow rates and cavitating vortex rope settings have been measured. The turbulent flow in the draft tube of diameter 240 mm reaches the Reynolds number of 105. The vortex and highly swirling flow is developed in the draft tube. The usage of kHz-order frame rates was necessary to resolve the velocity field. The investigated area in the mixing vessel was examined by the stereoscopic time-resolved PIV technique. Further mode evaluation allows comparison of cross-sectional velocities in the vector map. The Proper orthogonal decomposition analysis was applied on 3D vector maps, those including u, v, w velocity compounds. In the selected regimes – operating points with volume flow rate 97 l/sec and 114 l/sec, the greatest risk of transition to cavitation mode was identified, so they were studied in detail.

Dispersion of two immiscible liquids is commonly used in chemical industry as wall as in metallurgical industry e. g. extraction process. The governing property is droplet size distribution. The droplet sizes are given by the physical properties of both liquids and flow properties inside a stirred tank. The first investigation stage is focused on in-situ droplet size measurement using image analysis and optimizing of the evaluation method to achieve maximal result reproducibility. The obtained experimental results are compared with multiphase flow simulation based on Euler-Euler approach combined with PBM (Population Balance Modelling). The population balance model was, in that specific case, simplified with assumption of pure breakage of droplets.

There has been tried many methods how to generate single cavitation bubble. The purpose of these experiments is to observe the surface impact of collapsing cavitating bubbles. The most of method are based on spark to induced superheat limit of liquid. Here we compare the one of these methods – laser induced breakdown (LIB) with more correct mechanical way using ultrasound as generator. There is described the setup for ultrasound cavitation effecting the sessile bubble as well as random generated and moving bubble. We visualize the cavitation bubble using high speed camera of speed 180 kHz. There are observed interface instabilities as the ultrasound response.

The design of agitated tanks depends on operating conditions and processes for that are used for. An important parameter for the scale-up modelling is the dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy. The dissipation rate is commonly assumed to be a function of the impeller power input. But this approach gives no information about distribution of the dissipation rate inside the agitated volume. In this paper the distributions of the dissipation rate inside the agitated vessels are estimated by evaluations of the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). The results obtained from RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations) k-ε turbulent model and LES (Large Eddy Simulations) with Smagorinsky SGS (Sub Grid Scale) model are compared. The agitated vessels with standard geometry equipped with four baffles and stirred by either a standard Rushton turbine or a high shear impeller were investigated. The results are compared with mean dissipation rate estimated from the total impeller power input.

Interaction of liquid with ultra-hydrophobic surface is accompanied by creation of layer of air. The effect of the air film has a potential of use in industry in many applications. The quality of the surface is influenced by matrix roughness, the character of physical or chemical cover. There was developed a method for analysis of the liquid flow and the air film using the lighting in volume, visualization with CCD camera and long distance microscope, and optical filters. There were prepared four stainless steel samples of inner channel of dimensions (80 × 8 × 8) mm and initial surface roughness Ra 0.33, Ra 1.0, Ra 2.0, and Ra 2.2. The inner channel was treated with plasma and commercial hydrophobic coating Greblon (WEILBURGER Coatings GmbH). There was realized study focused on the liquid flow velocity profile close to the air film. There are present results for laminar, transient and turbulent flows. The study also estimated the air film thickness depending on the Re number. The knowledge of the air film behaviour helps applied suitable degree of processing and cover for the target application.

The paper presents results of the flow field analysis in a static scaled model of human larynx. Here we are focused on the effect of the nozzle gap parameter and the incoming flow velocity. The study is performed in the aerodynamic channel using the PIV technique.

The interaction of the liquid with ultra-hydrophobic surfaces was so far studied through estimation of static contact angles. It appears now that this interaction is more complex, and cannot be described only with static methods. Effect of ultra-hydrophobic surfaces and their advantages are also particularly in dynamic interaction with liquids. One of the parameters that determine the character of the dynamic interaction is presence of air film close to the surface. The thickness of air film can be measured with long distance microscopy and the interaction with the flow using micro PIV method. Here we present the results of measurements of the air film that is created close to ultra-hydrophobic surfaces and the dependence of its thickness on the Re number.

The development of industrial technology also brings with optimized surface quality, particularly where there is contact with food. Application ultra-hydrophobic surface significantly reduces the growth of bacteria and facilitates cleaning processes. Testing and evaluation of surface quality are used two methods: impinging droplet and inclined surface method optimized with high speed shadowgraphy, which give information about dynamic contact angle. This article presents the results of research into new methods of measuring ultra-hydrophobic patented technology.

Thermal performance of aerogel-embedded polyester/polyethylene nonwoven fabrics in cross airflow was experimentally studied by using a laboratory-built dynamic heat transfer measuring device in which the fabric could be applied on a heating rod. Experiments were performed with different airflow velocities and heating conditions. The temperature–time histories of different materials were collected and compared. The temperature difference and convective heat transfer coefficient under continuous heating were analyzed and discussed. Results showed that under preheated conditions, the aerogel-embedded nonwoven fabrics had very small decrease in temperature and good ability to prevent against heat loss in cross flow. As for the continuous heating conditions, the heat transfer rate of each material showed an increasing trend with increase in the Reynolds number. The aerogel-treated nonwoven fabric with the least fabric thickness and aerogel content delivered a significantly increased heat transfer rate at higher Reynolds number. Thicker fabrics with higher aerogel content could provide better insulation ability in cross flow.

Bylo testováno mnoho typů mikrokapilár, čtvercových, kulatých a různých velikostí vnitřního průměru, ve kterých byla vytvořena kavitační bublina. Účelem těchto experimentů bylo sledovat rychlost rázové vlny těsně po počáteční kavitační bublině a odrazové vlny uvnitř i vně mikrokapilár. Hlavní metodou byla jiskra indukovaného limitu přehřátí kapaliny. Zde jsme použili metodu rozbití indukovanou laserem (LIB). Bylo popsáno nastavení kavitace, které ovlivňuje stabilitu a velikost bubliny. Pro snímání bublinek kavitace a rázové vlny jsme použili radiografické nastavení s kamerou. Byl pozorován časový vývoj rychlosti rázové vlny; rychlost počáteční rázové vlny uvnitř mikrokapiláry byla vyšší než rychlost rázu mimo mikrokapiláru.

Nonwoven fabrics and aerogel have complementary properties required for good thermal insulation. In this work, the polyester/polyethylene nonwoven thermal wraps treated with amorphous silica aerogel are studied and characterized with regard to thermodynamical properties at subzero temperatures. The characterization of physical structure was done by scanning electron microscope. C-Therm TCi thermal conductivity analyzer was used to measure thermal properties like conductivity, resistance, and effusivity at subzero temperatures. Heat transfer caused by convection through the thermal wraps was measured by particle image velocimetry technique, which allows obtaining information about the current distribution of velocities in two-dimensional array in a flowing fluid. Vector and scalar maps of the fluid flow were caused by thermal convection. The samples were studied for different temperature gradients. On scientific evaluation of results, thermal conductivity and thermal effusivity were found to be differing with respect to different temperatures and fabric density. Thermal resistance showed an increase as the fabric thickness increases. It was observed that fabric density and the aerogel present in the structures have a significant effect on thermal properties of aerogel-treated nonwoven fabrics. The findings in this study are significant and can be used for further research in aerogel-treated nonwoven fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling air flow in a curved fine perforated plate region was performed by porous zone substitution. This approach significantly simplifies the observed process, thus various limitations appeared. PIV measurements on an experimental test rig were performed and compared with the results from CFD computations.

An effective yet simple quantitative synthetic Schlieren imaging technique is presented in this paper. A multiplexed fringe pattern displayed on a common laptop screen is observed through a disturbed medium resulting in a change of the fringe pattern. Fourier analysis of such pattern provides high-resolution and almost real time measurement of rays’ deflection due to the medium refractive index variation. The developed technique was applied for measurement of a compressible fluid discharge from a narrow channel in a wind tunnel.

The hydrodynamics and flow field were measured in an agitated vessel using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (2-D TR PIV). The experiments were carried out in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 400 mm in inner diameter agitated by a tooth impeller 133 mm in diameter. Distilled water was used as the agitated liquid. The velocity fields were investigated in the upward flow to the impeller for three impeller rotation speeds – 300 rpm, 500 rpm and 700 rpm, corresponding to a Reynolds number in the range 94 000 < Re < 221 000. This means that fully-developed turbulent flow was reached. This Re range secures the fully-developed turbulent flow in an agitated liquid. In accordance with the theory of mixing, the dimensionless mean and fluctuation velocities in the measured directions were found to be constant and independent of the impeller Reynolds number. On the basis of the test results the spatial distributions of dimensionless velocities were calculated. The axial turbulence intensity was found to be in the majority in the range from 0.4 to 0.7, which corresponds to the middle level of turbulence intensity.

Hydrodynamics and flow field were measured in an agitated vessel using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (2-D TR PIV). The experiments were carried out in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 400 mm in inner diameter agitated by a tooth impeller 133 mm in diameter. The velocity fields were measured in the impeller discharge flow for impeller rotation speeds from 300 rpm to 700 rpm and three liquids of different viscosities (i.e. (i) distilled water, ii) a 28% vol. aqueous solution of glycol, and iii) a 43% vol. aqueous solution of glycol), corresponding to the impeller Reynolds number in the range 68 000 < Re < 221 000. This Re range secures the fully-developed turbulent flow of agitated liquid. In accordance with the theory of mixing, the dimensionless mean and fluctuation velocities in the measured directions were found to be constant and independent of the impeller Reynolds number. On the basis of the test results the spatial distributions of dimensionless velocities were calculated. The radial turbulence intensity was found to be in the majority in the range from 0.3 to 0.9, which corresponds to the high level of this quantity.

In PIV studies published in the literature focusing on the investigation of the flow field in an agitated vessel the record time is ranging from the tenths and the units of seconds. The aim of this work was to determine minimum record time for PIV measurement in a vessel agitated by a Rushton turbine that is necessary to obtain relevant results of velocity field. The velocity fields were measured in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 400 mm in inner diameter agitated by a Rushton turbine 133 mm in diameter using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry in the impeller Reynolds number range from 50 000 to 189 000. This Re range secures the fully-developed turbulent flow of agitated liquid. Three liquids of different viscosities were used as the agitated liquid. On the basis of the analysis of the radial and axial components of the mean- and fluctuation velocities measured outside the impeller region it was found that dimensionless minimum record time is independent of impeller Reynolds number and is equalled N.tRmin = 103 ± 19.

The results of research on viscous liquid flow upon a superhydrophobic surface are presented in the paper. In the introduction, the degrees of surface hydrophobicity in correlation with an adhesion coefficient are defined. The usage of the adhesion coefficient for the definition of a new boundary condition is employed for expressing the slip of the liquid over the superhydrophobic surface. The slip of the liquid was identified on a special experimental device. The essence of the device consists of a tunnel of rectangular cross section whose one wall is treated with a superhydrophobic layer. The other walls are made of transparent organic glass whose surface is hydrophilic. Velocity profiles are measured by PIV. The methodology is drawn so that it allows the speed determination at the closest point to the wall. The measurements were performed for different Reynolds numbers for both laminar and turbulent flow. Based on the measured velocity profiles, marginal terms of use have been verified, expressing slippage of the liquid on the wall. New forms of velocity profiles considering superhydrophobic surfaces are shown within the work.

The hydrodynamics and flow field were measured in an agitated vessel using 2-D Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (2-D TR PIV). The experiments were carried out in a fully baffled cylindrical flat bottom vessel 400 mm in inner diameter agitated by a Rushton turbine 133 mm in diameter. The velocity fields were measured in the zone in upward flow to the impeller for impeller rotation speeds from 300 rpm to 850 rpm and three liquids of different viscosities (i.e. (i) distilled water, ii) a 28% vol. aqueous solution of glycol, and iii) a 43% vol. aqueous solution of glycol), corresponding to the impeller Reynolds number in the range 50 000 < Re < 189 000. This Re range secures the fully-developed turbulent flow of agitated liquid. In accordance with the theory of mixing, the dimensionless mean and fluctuation velocities in the measured directions were found to be constant and independent of the impeller Reynolds number. On the basis of the test results the spatial distributions of dimensionless velocities were calculated. The axial turbulence intensity was found to be in the majority in the range from 0.388 to 0.540, which corresponds to the high level of turbulence intensity.

The synthetic jets (SJs) have many significant applications and the number of applications is increasing all the time. In this research the main focus is on the primary flow control which can be used effectively for the heat transfer increasing. This paper deals with the experimental research of the effect of two SJs worked in the bifurcated mode used for control of an axisymmetric air jet. First, the control synthetic jets were measured alone. After an adjustment, the primary axisymmetric jet was added in to the system. For comparison, the primary flow without synthetic jets control was also measured. All experiments were performed using PIV method whereby the synchronization between synthetic jets and PIV system was necessary to do.

The distribution of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate is important for design of mixing apparatuses in chemical industry. Generally used experimental methods of velocity measurements for measurement in complex geometries of an agitated vessel disallow measurement in resolution of small scales close to turbulence dissipation ones. Therefore, Particle image velocity (PIV) measurement method improved by large eddy Ply approach was used. Large eddy PIV method is based on modeling of smallest eddies by a sub grid scale (SGS) model. This method is similar to numerical calculations using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and the same SGS models are used. In this work the basic Smagorinsky model was employed and compared with power law approximation. Time resolved PIV data were processed by Large Eddy PIV approach and the obtained results of turbulent kinetic dissipation rate were compared in selected points for several operating conditions (impeller speed, operating liquid viscosity).

This article presents the results of temperature measurements in a real model of heat exchanger using LIF method. By the help of fluorescent dye Rhodamine B that responsive on the temperature variation is visualized the rate and warming - up of the liquid above the heating pipe. The drift excited by heat convection is measured by PIV method. The results of temperature field measurements are compared with metering affected by temperature probe.

The spray analysis is a fundamental for many industrial applications. The knowledge of spray distribution, the spray geometry and structures is crucial. Recommended here is the method of simultaneously measuring the droplet size, spray geometry and impact droplet velocity. Referred here is the Interferometry particle sizing technique applied on a full cone nozzle with external feeding. The spray was examined in three stages: close to the nozzle exit, in 0.7m and 1.7m distance far from the nozzle exit and under pressure 1.3, 2.7 and 3.5 bar.