Laser Velocimetry in Fluid Mechanics

Alain Boutier, Alain Boutier

• Publisher: Wiley-ISTE
• Year: 2013
• ISBN:
  9781118569337
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Mechanics

In fluid mechanics, velocity measurement is fundamental in order to improve the behavior knowledge of the flow. Velocity maps help us to understand the mean flow structure and its fluctuations, in order to further validate codes.
Laser velocimetry is an optical technique for velocity measurements; it is based on light scattering by tiny particles assumed to follow the flow, which allows the local fluid flow velocity and its fluctuations to be determined. It is a widely used non-intrusive technique to measure velocities in fluid flows, either locally or in a map.
This book presents the various techniques of laser velocimetry, as well as their specific qualities: local measurements or in plane maps, mean or instantaneous values, 3D measurements. Flow seeding with particles is described with currently used products, as well as the appropriate aerosol generators. Post-processing of data allows us to extract synthetic information from measurements and to perform comparisons with results issued from CFD codes. The principles and characteristics of the different available techniques, all based on the scattering of light by tiny particles embedded in the flow, are described in detail; showing how they deliver different information, either locally or in a map, mean values and turbulence characteristics.

Chapter 1

Measurement Needs in Fluid Mechanics 1

Measurements provide useful information for the interpretation of physical phenomena and for code validation. Fluid mechanics is based on nonlinear Navier– Stokes equations, which are very difficult to solve directly; simplifying assumptions or numerical approximations are used in order to make calculation times reasonable. Sometimes empirical relations are established when theory is not available; in particular, turbulent regime analysis leads to the building of new theories that must be verified. All these processes require validation by experiments and accurate measurements.

The most famous names in physics are associated with knowledge evolution in fluid mechanics, from Newton to Euler, Navier and Stokes, and also Bernoulli, Lagrange, Leibniz and Cauchy.

Theoretical approaches consist of mathematical resolution of partial differential equations. When an analytical solution is not possible, numerical approaches are used, but must be verified by well–documented experiments. In fluid mechanics, more than elsewhere, the three approaches (theory, simulation, and experimentation) often cannot be separated.

Theoretical treatment is exact and universal, but requires good physical knowledge of the phenomena. Boundary conditions are often made ideal and solutions are not available for complex flow configurations.

Numerical simulation provides complete flow information, with conditions that can be easily modified. Nevertheless, the process is often very expensive to put into operation, is limited by the computer power, and as turbulence models are not universal, a certain ability is required for correct employment.

Experimental investigations make parametric studies possible, in order to recognize which parameters are influent; sometimes it is the only way to obtain information. Yet they may appear rather complicated and expensive to implement; not all the variables can be measured and the intrusive character of the measuring method must be minimized.

1.1. Navier–Stokes equations

General equations in fluid mechanics are based on mass and energy conservation, as well as on movement quantity equations. These equations, called Navier–Stokes equations, make use of spatial and temporal partial derivatives of velocity and temperature, at first and second order. Even if exact solutions exist for simple laminar flows, for real flows, which are turbulent and 3D, calculations become much too complex to be solved by current computers within acceptable timescales. Therefore, numerical solutions are not exact and generate errors that must be evaluated by experiments and appropriate measurements.

The continuity equation (mass conservation) is expressed by:

[1.1]

where ρ is the volume mass and

the velocity vector, with (u, v, w) coordinates in the frame (x, y, z) or (u1, u2, u3) in the frame (x1, x2, x3).

For an incompressible flow (ρ = constant), it becomes:

[1.2]

The movement quantity equation expresses the fact that the system movement quantity derivative is equal to the sum of the forces acting on the system. Using some assumptions, mainly that of Newtonian flow, this vector equation is written:

[1.3]

is the constraint tensor, which makes pressure P and dynamic viscosity µ appear.

represents the unity tensor.

In incompressible conditions, movement quantity equation along x is reduced to:

[1.4]

where v = µ/ρ is the kinematic v...