Simultaneous flow and particle measurements for multiphase flows in hydraulic engineering: A review and synthesis of current state

Abstract

While multiphase flows are abundant in both natural environments and engineering applications, their analysis and quantification present challenges. In particular, simultaneously measuring the flow field and quantifying particle behavior pose many challenges. Methods based on Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) principles have been used in the last two decades to measure flow fields and dispersed (particle) phases, respectively. Despite the extensive application of these principles to multiphase flow, there are numerous approaches and techniques used to synchronize and combine PIV and PTV measurements. Combined PIV and PTV data acquisition also requires consideration of phase discrimination to obtain distinct data for the fluid and dispersed phases. In the literature, various methods have been proposed and applied to achieve phase discrimination. This review paper aims to consolidate and classify various phase discrimination techniques used in specialized applications in hydraulic engineering. These methods are categorized into optical (spectral, temporal, and hybrid) and post-processing methods, with a particular emphasis on their applicability within the realm of hydraulic engineering. Moreover, this review expands on several emerging PIV/PTV technologies and applications, where the combination of equipment and algorithms has led to significant strides in the non-intrusive measurement of multiphase flow. By consolidating and critically evaluating current methods for particle discrimination, this paper aims to enhance the scientific community's understanding of simultaneous phase velocity measurements, thereby setting the stage for advancements in multiphase flow visualization techniques.