Imaging the velocity profiles in tubeless siphon flow by NMR microscopy

We report on the use of NMR micro-imaging to observe flow within a tubeless siphon. The flow is maintained in a visco-elastic liquid of high extensional viscosity, namely 0.5% w/v 8 million Dalton polyethylene oxide in water. The velocity profiles reveal a significant velocity gradient in the vertical direction as well as a transition from near-Poiseuille flow at the pipe entrance to plug flow far from the pipe entrance towards the base of the tubeless siphon.