Characterization of acoustic streaming in water and aluminum melt during ultrasonic irradiation

It is well known that ultrasonic cavitation causes a steady flow termed acoustic streaming. In the present study, the velocity of acoustic streaming in water and molten aluminum is measured. The method is based on the measurement of oscillation frequency of Karman vortices around a cylinder immersed into liquid. For the case of acoustic streaming in molten metal, such measurements were performed for the first time. Four types of experiments were conducted in the present study: (1) Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurement in a water bath to measure the acoustic streaming velocity visually, (2) frequency measurement of Karman vortices generated around a cylinder in water, and (3) in aluminum melt, and (4) cavitation intensity measurements in molten aluminum. Based on the measurement results (1) and (2), the Strouhal number for acoustic streaming was determined. Then, using the same Strouhal number and measuring oscillation frequency of Karman vortices in aluminum melt, the acoustic streaming velocity was measured. The velocity of acoustic streaming was found to be independent of amplitude of sonotrode tip oscillation both in water and aluminum melt. This can be explained by the effect of acoustic shielding and liquid density.     

PIV applied to eckart streaming produced by a medical ultrasound transducer.

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is applied for the first time to study Eckart streaming induced by a medical ultrasonic transducer operating at a frequency of 3.3 MHz and effective acoustic intensities of 0.25 and 3 Wcm(-2). A temporal series of velocities in a two-dimensional plane were recorded resulting in an experimental set comprising over half a million velocity data points. These enabled average and fluctuating properties to be determined and clearly indicated the quasi-steady nature of the flow. The average large scale velocity fluctuations along the axis caused by this quasi-steady property were calculated to be 2 and 20 m ms(-1) at effective intensities of 0.25 and 3 Wcm(-2) respectively corresponding to approximately 25% of the peak flow velocity in both cases. Furthermore averaged shear rates were calculated with peak values of 1 and 8 s(-1) for the low and high intensities respectively. The present investigation indicates the usefulness of PIV for such studies and serves as a prelude to investigations of streaming in biological type fluids.     

Experimental study of underwater transmission characteristics of high-frequency 30 MHz polyurea ultrasonic transducer

In this paper, we present the transmission characteristics of a polyurea ultrasonic transducer operating in water. In this study, we used a polyurea transducer with fundamental resonance at approximately 30 MHz. Firstly, acoustic pressure radiated from the transducer was measured using a hydrophone, which has a diameter of 0.2 mm. The transmission characteristics such as relative bandwidth, pulse width, and acoustic sensitivity were calculated from the experimental results. The results of the experiment showed a relative bandwidth of 50% and a pulse width of 0.061 μs. The acoustic sensitivity was 0.60 kPa/V with good linearity, where the correlation coefficient R in the fitting calculation was 0.996. A maximum pressure of 13.1 kPa was observed when the transducer was excited at a zero-to-peak voltage of 21 V. Moreover, we experimentally verified the results. The results of the pulse/echo experiment showed that the estimated diameters of the copper wires were 458 and 726 μm, where the differences between the actual and measured values were 15% and 4%, respectively. Acoustic streaming was also observed so that a particle velocity map was estimated by particle image velocimetry (PIV). The sound pressure calculated from the particle velocity obtained by PIV showed good agreement with the acoustic pressure measured using the hydrophone, where the differences between the calculated and measured values were 12–19%.     

A real-time video encoded particle imaging tracking technique for velocity measurement

A real-time video encoded particle imaging tracking technique (VPIT) for velocity measurement has been developed. It can currently capture images of a seeded particle flow field at up to a video rate of 25 pictures per second. The method as shown in this paper is suitable for measuring a slow sparsely seeded flow. A VPIT image presents a triplet image pattern. The image has been encoded into a single video frame with the time history of three events. This is achieved by synchronising the video (CCIR) signal from a CCD (charge coupled device) camera, operating in frame integration mode with a suitable light source. The principle of VPIT demonstrates how the direction and the magnitude of the velocity can be recorded for a sequence or track of particles. The VPIT triplet images resolve several common difficulties associated with the application of PIV. Firstly, the time history of the laser pulse can be ‘labeled’ on an individual particle image. Secondly, there is no velocity direction ambiguity in the VPIT image. Thirdly, it is possible to extract the acceleration of the particle from a single VPIT frame. Finally, for a sequence of captured frames, the problems of particle path tracking are simplified, because each VPIT image has a video encoded time sequence ‘labelled’ on it.     

Characterization of HIFU transducers designed for sonochemistry application: Acoustic streaming

Cavitation distribution in a High Intensity Focused Ultrasound sonoreactors (HIFU) has been extensively described in the recent literature, including quantification by an optical method (Sonochemiluminescence SCL). The present paper provides complementary measurements through the study of acoustic streaming generated by the same kind of HIFU transducers. To this end, results of mass transfer measurements (electrodiffusional method) were compared to optical method ones (Particle Image Velocimetry). This last one was used in various configurations: with or without an electrode in the acoustic field in order to have the same perturbation of the wave propagation. Results show that the maximum velocity is not located at the focal but shifted near the transducer, and that this shift is greater for high powers. The two cavitation modes (stationary and moving bubbles) are greatly affect the hydrodynamic behavior of our sonoreactors: acoustic streaming and the fluid generated by bubble motion. The results obtained by electrochemical measurements show the same low hydrodynamic activity in the transducer vicinity, the same shift of the active focal toward the transducer, and the same absence of activity in the post-focal axial zone. The comparison with theoretical Eckart’s velocities (acoustic streaming in non-cavitating media) confirms a very high activity at the “sonochemical focal”, accounted for by wave distortion, which induced greater absorption coefficients. Moreover, the equivalent liquid velocities are one order of magnitude larger than the ones measured by PIV, confirming the enhancement of mass transfer by bubbles oscillation and collapse close to the surface, rather than from a pure streaming effect.     

Brownian motion and correlation in particle image velocimetry

In particle image velocimetry applications involving either low velocities or small seed particles, Brownian motion can be significant. This paper addresses the effects of Brownian motion. First, general equations describing cross-correlation particle image velocimetry are derived that include Brownian motion. When light-sheet illumination particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used Brownian motion diminishes the signal strength. A parameter describing this effect is introduced, and a weighting function describing the contribution to the measured velocity as a function of position is derived. The latter is unaffected by Brownian motion. Microscopic PIV Brownian motion also diminishes the signal strength. The weighting function for microscopic PIV is found to depend on Brownian motion, thus affecting an important experimental parameter, the depth of correlation. For both light-sheet illumination and microscopic PIV, a major consequence of Brownian motion is the spreading of the correlation signal peak. Because the magnitude of the spreading is dependent on temperature, PIV can, in principle, be used to simultaneously measure velocity and temperature. The location of the signal peak provides the velocity data, while the spreading of the peak yields temperature.     

Simultaneous planar velocity measurements and OH imaging in a transverse jet flame

We present simultaneous planar velocity and OH fluorescence measurements at the base of a lifted, nonpremixed, transverse methane jet flame of Reynolds number 6300 and jet-to-crossflow velocity ratio 11.5. Velocity measurements are obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV), while nonresonant OH fluorescence is imaged via excitation of the A←X (1,0) band near 283 nm. It is shown that at the flame base, the regions in the PIV images where particle density drops due to heat release closely overlap the regions where OH appears. Other preliminary results show that the base of the flame sheet typically resides just above a region where velocity magnitude is locally low, about three times the laminar flame speed, and that the fluid accelerates suddenly through the flame base. Experimental issues such as PIV accuracy and OH imaging in the presence of PIV particles are discussed.     

驻波声场中圆柱形管道周围颗粒的运动特性

针对圆柱形管道外部的流体与颗粒介质运动问题,提出了结合圆柱周围声辐射力和声流Stokes力的研究方法。从柱体外部声流方程出发,得到影响涡流结构的无量纲参数Rem≥325.27时,外涡最大流速大于内涡最大流速。在此基础上,采用Nyborg的边界滑移速度理论,获得管道外部声流的极限滑移速度,推导得出圆柱附近的声辐射力公式。基于此公式,在理论上推导出颗粒速度为0、声辐射力和声流Stokes力平衡时,颗粒临界直径的表达式。通过对圆柱位于不同位置时,圆柱外部的颗粒运动进行仿真模拟,得到与理论公式相一致的结论:颗粒的临界直径的大小与声波频率有关,当颗粒直径小于临界直径时,声流Stokes力为主导,颗粒随声流运动,颗粒直径大于等于临界直径时,声辐射力为主导,颗粒在声辐射力作用下逐渐向声辐射力的节点聚集。理论与仿真结果表明该方法可用于分析管道外颗粒的分布状态,其研究结果有助于解决电站中换热器的管道结垢、热交换率降低等问题。     

Controlling the acoustic streaming by pulsed ultrasounds

We propose a technique based on pulsed ultrasounds for controlling, reducing to a minimum observable value the acoustic streaming in closed ultrasonic standing wave fluidic resonators. By modifying the number of pulses and the repetition time it is possible to reduce the velocity of the acoustic streaming with respect to the velocity generated by the continuous ultrasound mode of operation. The acoustic streaming is observed at the nodal plane where a suspension of 800 nm latex particles was focused by primary radiation force. A mixture of 800 nm and 15 μm latex particles has been also used for showing that the acoustic streaming is hardly reduced while primary and secondary forces continue to operate. The parameter we call “pulse mode factor” i.e. the time of applied ultrasound divided by the duty cycle, is found to be the adequate parameter that controls the acoustic streaming. We demonstrate that pulsed ultrasound is more efficient for controlling the acoustic streaming than the variation of the amplitude of the standing waves.     

The use of ultrasonic standing waves to enhance optical particle sizing equipment

Fluid dynamics modelling augmented with routines to simulate acoustic forces on aerosol particles has been used to investigate the potential of combining ultrasonic standing wave fields with optical particle analysis equipment. Simulations of particle dynamics in airstreams incorporating acoustic forces predict that particles in the 1-10 microns diameter range may be effectively focused to the velocity nodes of the standing wave field. Particles move to the velocity nodes within tens of milliseconds for acoustic frequencies of 10-100 kHz and at an acoustic energy density of 100 Jm-3. Larger particles are predicted to move to the velocity antinodes within similar times; however, there is a crossover region at approximately 15-20 microns particle diameter where longer times are predicted due to the competing forces driving particles to the vibration node and antinode. With sufficient transverse flow velocities the models predict that disturbances due to acoustic streaming can be overcome and a useful degree of focusing achieved for the aerosol particles. Results from a model demonstrating sampling and acoustic focusing of 3-9 microns aerosol particles to a 200 microns wide analysis area are presented.     

Acoustic treaming visualization in elastic spherical cavities

Flow visualizations are presented for acoustic streaming occurring inside spherical elastic cavities oscillating in an acoustic field. Streaming flows are visualized using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and results are observed for a range of values of a dimensionless frequency parameter,M=120–306. Over the frequency range investigated, streaming flow fields remain steady at a given value ofM. The magnitude of the flows circulating inside the cavity remains small (<1 mm/s) and follows a non-linear dependency with respect to the acoustic power of the sound wave. The present boundary-driven cavity flows may enhance particle fluid transport mechanisms, leading ultimately to potential fluid mixing applications.     

Three-dimensional bubbly flow measurement using PIV

The experimental flow visualization tool, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), is being extended to determine the velocity fields in three-dimensional, two-phase fluid flows. In the past few years, the technique has attracted quite a lot of interest. PIV enables fluid velocities across a region of a flow to be measured at a single instant in time in the whole volume (global) of interest. This instantaneous velocity profile of a given flow field is determined by digitally recording particle (microspheres or bubbles) images within the flow over multiple successive video frames and then conducting flow pattern identification and analysis of the data. This paper presents instantaneous velocity measurements in various three-dimensional, bubbly two-phase flow situations. This information is useful for developing or improving existing computer constitutive models that simulate this type of flow field. It is also useful for understanding the detailed structure of two-phase flows.     

水洞流场PIV显示与分析系统离轴测试校正

粒子图像测速技术(PIV)通过测量被测流场截面上每一位置点的速度,获得整个被测流场的信息.在PIV一般应用中所使用的照明激光片光与成像CCD装置的拍摄方向是垂直的,在某些应用场合受测试条件的限制,需要采用离轴方式进行测量,此时CCD成像方向与照明的激光片光不垂直,而是有一定夹角.离轴测试方式将对PIV系统的光学成像系统、示踪粒子选择和粒子图像处理带来影响.实验采用Scheimpflug离轴聚焦的方法对表面镀银高反射率的示踪粒子进行成像,通过调整成像透镜与CCD像面的夹角可获得清晰的粒子成像,并利用网格校正板和软件计算处理等方法有效校正了由于离轴测试带来的影响.     

Evaluation of the cross correlation method by using PIV standard images

Effects of various parameters for PIV image acquiring and processing on the final velocity field is studied by using PIV standard images (Okamoto et al., 1997) to evaluate the cross correlation method. The studied parameters include the size of interrogation window, the size of search window, the number of tracer particles, the diameter of tracer particles, out-of-plane velocity and average image velocity or the time interval between two images. In order to improve the PIV sub-pixel accuracy, the validity of the “sub-pixel interpolation” process also is discussed in the paper. Some useful conclusions are suggested for the optimal parameter selection for a final PIV result with high accuracy.     

Combined two-dimensional velocity and temperature measurements using a high-speed camera and luminescent particles

This paper proposes a combined method for two-dimensional temperature and velocity measurements using temperature sensitive particles (TSParticles), a pulsed ultraviolet (UV) laser and a single high-speed camera. TSParticles were synthesized using ion-exchange particles and Eu(TTA) luminescent dye. The size and material of the particles for synthesizing TSParticles are selectable. TSParticles respond to temperature changes in a flow and can also serve as tracers for the velocity field. TSParticles were seeded into a heated water flow in a complex-shaped channel constructed of MEXFLON resin, which has a refractive index exactly equal to that of water. Particle images of flow beyond the structure can be recorded without any distortion. The TSParticles were excited by the UV pulsed laser and the luminescence from the TSParticles were recorded at 40,000 frames per second as sequential images for a lifetime-based temperature analysis. Another advantage of our approach is that high time-resolved PIV can be carried out without a high-frequency laser. The recorded images were also used for the particle image velocimetry (PIV) calculation.     

Blast noise propagation above a snow cover.

A porous medium model of a snow cover, rather than a viscoelastic treatment, has been used to simulate measured, horizontally traveling acoustic waveform propagation above a dry snow cover 11-20 cm thick. The waveforms were produced by explosions of 1-kg charges at propagation distances of 100 to 1400 m. These waveforms, with a peak frequency around 30 Hz, show pulse broadening effects similar to those previously seen for higher-frequency waves over shorter propagation distances. A rigid-ice-frame porous medium ("rigid-porous") impedance model, which includes the effect of the pores within the snow but ignores any induced motion of the ice particles, is shown to produce much better agreement with the measured waveforms compared with a viscoelastic solid treatment of the snow cover. From the acoustic waveform modeling, the predicted average snow cover depth of 18 cm and effective flow resistivities of 16-31 kPa s m(-2) agree with snow pit observations and with previous acoustic measurements over snow. For propagation in the upwind direction, the pulse broadening caused by the snow cover interaction is lessened, but the overall amplitude decay is greater because of refraction of the blast waves.     

Flow field around growing and rising vapour bubble by PIV measurement

A study on flow field measurement around growing and rising vapour bubbles by use of PIV technique is presented. Bubbles were generated from single artificial cavities. Experiments have been conducted with saturated boiling of distilled water at atmospheric pressure. In the experiment fluid velocity field surrounding the bubbles was visualized by use of polyamide tracer particles and a sheet of a YAG pulse laser beam. The images were recorded with a cross-correlation CCD-camera. It has been shown that for lower heat flux density bubble growths in an almost quiescent bulk of liquid. For higher heat flux density the train of bubbles creates a vapour column with strong wake effect. Maximum liquid velocity recorded is approximately equal to the terminal velocity of bubble rising in a stagnant liquid.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of acoustic streaming: absorption coefficient and acoustic field shape estimation

In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to visualize acoustic streaming in liquids. A single-shot spin echo sequence (HASTE) with a saturation band perpendicular to the acoustic beam permits the acquisition of an instantaneous image of the flow due to the application of ultrasound. An average acoustic streaming velocity can be estimated from the MR images, from which the ultrasonic absorption coefficient and the bulk viscosity of different glycerol-water mixtures can be deduced. In the same way, this MRI method could be used to assess the acoustic field and time-average power of ultrasonic transducers in water (or other liquids with known physical properties), after calibration of a geometrical parameter that is dependent on the experimental setup.     

二维平板间驻波声流的MRT-LBM数值研究

采用多松弛时间格子玻尔兹曼方法（Multiple Relaxation Time Lattice Boltzmann Method,MRT-LBM）对二维平板间的驻波声流进行数值模拟,模拟结果与Rayleigh流近似解析解相符,研究黏度和板间宽度对驻波声流的影响,得到不同黏度下x=L/4截面无量纲水平速度分布和x=L/2截面无量纲竖直速度分布,板间宽度对边界层内声流区域厚度的影响及驻波声流的形成过程,结果表明MRT-LBM模型能有效模拟驻波声流效应.     

PIV and LDA measurements of secondary flow in a meandering channel for overbank flow

Secondary flow in a compound meandering channel with straight floodplain banks for overbank was investigated by a visualization method and velocity measurement using three-component laser Doppler anemometor (LDA). The secondary flow in a cross section was visualized by the neutral buoyant tracer method with a submergible video camera. Secondary flow vectors in a cross section were obtained by using PIV software with captured frames from video source through PC and also by LDA measurements. From the comparison of the PIV and LDA results, it is found that PIV data show good agreement in quality with LDA measurements when the secondary flow is strong and stable as shown in this paper.