Exploratory Study of Flow-Particle Interaction using Particle Image Velocimetry

This paper presents an exploratory study of flow-particle interaction in a small water tunnel. Images are recorded following the Particle Image Velocimetry technique. The frames are analyzed in order to get information on flow turbulence and particles carried by the flow. The turbulence of the flow is considered in terms of the coherent structures that developed essentially in the wall region. The methods investigated allow the detection and quantitative description of these structures. Concerning the solid phase, two kinds of methods were considered: one to locate particles on the frames, and the other to track the particles. The methods are tested with simple experiments performed in a small water tunnel. Results concerning the fluid and solid phases are analyzed together. They show two kinds of particle behavior: particles that travel following coherent structures and particles that do not follow any particular turbulent structure.