Simultaneous Eulerian–Lagrangian velocity measurements of particulate pipe flow in transitional regime

Abstract

We present a unique pipe flow rig capable of simultaneous particle tracking and flow velocity measurements in a dilute, neutrally buoyant particulate pipe flow in regimes of transition to turbulence. The flow consists of solid glass spheres for the disperse phase and a density-matching fluid for the carrier phase. The measurements are conducted using a bespoke, combined two-dimensional particle image velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry technique. The technique takes advantage of a phase discrimination approach that involves separating the disperse and carrier phases based on their respective image characteristics. Our results show that the rig and the technique it implements can effectively be employed to study transitional particulate pipe flows at dilute concentrations.