In-cylinder engine flow measurement using stereoscopic molecular tagging velocimetry (SMTV)

The stereoscopic molecular tagging velocimetry (SMTV) technique is used to obtain the multiple point measurement of an instantaneous three-component velocity field inside the cylinder of an internal combustion (IC) engine assembly. A novel image processing technique is implemented to obtain the velocity data. The technique has the advantage that it eliminates the geometric details required to obtain the three components of the velocity field. The procedure involves two major steps: (i) calibration process and (ii) data acquisition and reduction. Cycle-to-cycle variations of the three-component velocity field and out-of-plane vorticity are presented inside an engine cylinder. Preliminary results show that cycle-to-cycle variations are more prominent in the velocity component perpendicular to the tumble plane, as opposed to the in-plane components. Such new insights will help better understand the details of these flows and further improve CFD models for IC engines.     

A spatial correlation technique for estimating velocity fields using molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV)

A direct spatial image correlation technique is presented for estimating the Lagrangian displacement vector from image pairs based on molecular tagging diagnostics. The procedure provides significant improvement in measurement accuracy compared to existing approaches for molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) analysis. Furthermore, this technique is of more general utility in that it is able to accommodate other laser tagging patterns besides the usual grid arrangement. Simulations are performed to determine the effects of many experimental and processing issues on the sub-pixel accuracy of displacement estimates. The results provide guidelines for optimizing the implementation of MTV. Experimental data in support of this processing technique are provided.     

Micro-flow analysis by molecular tagging velocimetry and planar Raman-scattering

The two dimensional molecular tagging velocimetry (2D-MTV) has been used to measure velocity fields of the flow in a micro mixer. Instead of commonly used micro particles an optical tagging of the flow has been performed by using a caged dye. The pattern generation is done by imaging a mask for the first time. This allows to generate nearly any imaginable pattern. The flow induces a deformation of the optically written pattern that can be tracked by laser induced fluorescence. The series of raw images acquired in this way were analyzed quantitatively with a novel optical flow based technique. The reference measurements have been carried out allowing to draw conclusions about the accuracy of this procedure. A comparison to the standard technique of μPIV has also been conducted. Apart from measuring flow velocities in microfluidic mixing processes, the spatial distribution of concentration fields for different species has also been measured. To this end, a new technique has been developed that allows spatial measurements from Planar Spontaneous Raman Scattering (PSRS). The Raman stray light of the relevant species has been spectrally selected by a narrow bandpass filter and thus detected unaffectedly by the Raman stray light of other species. The successful operation of this measurement procedure in micro flows will be demonstrated exemplary for a mixing process of water and ethanol.     

Density tagging velocimetry

Density tagging velocimetry, a novel optical technique for point-wise measurement of flow velocity is proposed here. This new method is based on the detection and subsequent tracking of a local density variation deliberately inserted in the flow. The experimental implementation comprising tagging, detection, and velocity evaluation reverts to and combines principles of well-known optical measurement techniques. Density tagging velocimetry has the potential for in-flight application and is particularly suited for measuring flow velocities in regions where the use of tracer particles is difficult or undesired. The applicability of this new technique is illustrated by a jet flow measurement.     

Template matching for improved accuracy in molecular tagging velocimetry

In 2D molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV), tags are written into a fluid flow with a laser grid and imaged at discrete times. These images are analyzed to calculate Lagrangian displacement vectors, often by direct cross correlation. The cross correlation method is inherited from particle imaging velocimetry, where the correlated images contain a random pattern of particles. A template matching method is presented here which takes advantage of the known geometry of laser written tag grids in MTV to achieve better accuracy. Grid intersections are explicitly located in each image by correlation with a template with several linear and rotational degrees of freedom. The template is a continuous mathematical function, so the correlation may be optimized at arbitrary sub-pixel resolution. The template is smooth at the spatial scale of the image noise, so random error is substantially suppressed. Under typical experimental conditions at low imaging resolution, displacement uncertainty is reduced by a factor of 5 compared to the direct cross correlation method. Due to the rotational degrees of freedom, displacement uncertainty is insensitive to highly deformed grids, thus permitting longer delay times and increasing the relative accuracy and dynamic range of the measurement. In addition, measured rotational displacements yield velocity gradients which improve the fidelity of interpolated velocity maps.     

Flow tagging velocimetry in incompressible flow using photo-activated nonintrusive tracking of molecular motion (PHANTOMM)

We report the development of a new optical flow tagging velocimetry technique for hydrodynamic flows. The method utilizes highly water-soluble caged dye Photo-Activated Fluorophores (PAF's) which serve as fluorescent tracers, with essentially indefinite lifetime. Demonstration experiments are presented in a bench-top poiseulle flow and a 5,000 gallon water channel facility. Results of experiments designed to quantify critical optical characteristics of the caged dye PAF's are also presented, as is a comparison with other, similar, optical velocimetry approaches.The authors wish to acknowledge R. B. Miles and D. Nosenchuck for several stimulating discussions, and T. Frobose and P. Howard for providing technical support. The work was sponsored by ARPA-G. Jones, Technical Monitor, and the National Science Foundation.     

Velocity profile characterization in sub-millimeter diameter tubes using molecular tagging velocimetry

Fluid flow through microtubes is of interest to many industries and there exists a need for detailed measurements of the velocity field. Velocity profile data are critical for momentum, mass, and heat transport analysis, and thus the design of devices utilizing microgeometries. This paper outlines a measurement technique that has led to time-resolved measurements of velocity profiles in microtubes (less than 1,000 μm). The research program was experimental in nature and consisted of an extension of molecular tagging velocimetry to the microscale. Average velocity and rms profile data in the fully developed region, in addition to mass flow rate and pressure drop data, are presented for numerous Reynolds numbers ranging from 600 to 5,000 in a tube of diameter 705 μm. Received: 20 December 1999 / Accepted: 20 March 2001     

Gaseous flow measurements in an internal combustion engine assembly using molecular tagging velocimetry

A molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) system was applied for mapping in-cylinder flows in an internal combustion engine. The images were captured inside an optical engine assembly that reproduces operation of a 2.2 L four stroke gasoline engine. A recently developed algorithm to process MTV images is based on a fast-normalized spatial correlation approach implemented using MATLAB software. The code allows accurate detection of the MTV grid nodes displacements. It processes simultaneously velocity vector and circulation fields for individual cycles, and ensemble averages of those over a few hundred sequential cycles to obtain mean and standard deviation values. Then probability density functions are reconstructed to quantify cycle-to-cycle variability of the in-cylinder flow.     

Application of photobleaching molecular tagging velocimetry to turbulent bubbly flow in a square duct

To evaluate turbulence energy budget in bubbly flows, an image processing method in a photobleaching molecular tagging velocimetry is improved for accurate evaluation of velocity gradients. Turbulence properties in single-phase and two-phase dilute-bubbly flows in a square duct are measured using the improved method. As a result, the following conclusions are obtained: (1) The axial velocity and axial turbulent intensity measured by the present method agree well with those measured by laser Doppler velocimetry not only for the single-phase flow but also for the dilute-bubbly flow. (2) The present method can measure velocity components and velocity gradients in the vicinity of the wall, and therefore the present method is of great use in understanding the mechanism of turbulence generation and dissipation near the wall. (3) The present method can provide detailed information on turbulence structure such as turbulence kinetic energy budget. (4) Bubbles tend to increase not only the turbulence production but also the turbulence dissipation.     

Flow tagging velocimetry in a superorbital expansion tube

Abstract. A non-intrusive laser-based method for direct velocity measurements has been demonstrated in a superorbital flow facility. The method is based upon laser enhanced ionisation velocimetry in which a tagged region is created by two step excitation of sodium and subsequent collisional ionisation. The achieved depletion of neutral atoms is then interrogated by planar laser induced fluorescence. The velocities were measured in the freestream at a superorbital condition yielding km/s. These results compare favourably with the measured shock speeds in the facility. Received 15 March 1999 / Accepted 2 March 2000     

Comparison of molecular tagging velocimetry data and direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations in supersonic micro jet flows

We present results of a combined experimental computational study of free jet flow produced by a 1 mm (height)ǹ mm (span) nominally Mach 2 supersonic jet. Two-dimensional maps of u_x, the component of velocity parallel to the principal flow axis, are obtained experimentally, by acetone molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV), and computationally, by the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, at a stagnation pressure and temperature of 10 torr and 300 K, respectively. In all cases, direct comparison of the experimental data and the predictions from DSMC showed excellent agreement, with only minor deviations which, in most cases, can be ascribed to either the inherent uncertainty in the MTV or small uncertainties in the measured wall pressures.     

Ionic strontium fluorescence as a method for flow tagging velocimetry

A flow tagging technique based upon ionic fluorescence in strontium is investigated for applications to velocity measurements in gas flows. The method is based upon a combination of two laser based spectroscopic techniques, i.e. resonantly-enhanced ionisation and laser-induced ionic fluorescence. Strontium is first ionised and then planar laser-induced fluorescence is utilised to give 2D `bright images' of the ionised region of the flow at a given time delay. The results show that this method can be used for velocity measurements. The velocities were measured in two types of air–acetylene flames – a slot burner and a circular burner yielding velocities of 5.1 ± 0.1 m/s and 9.3 ± 0.2 m/s, respectively. The feasibility of the method for the determination of velocities in faster flows than those investigated here is discussed. Received: 5 November 1998/Accepted: 19 January 2000     

Multiline hydroxyl tagging velocimetry measurements in reacting and nonreacting experimental flows

A compact micro-lens optical system is developed that produces a 7×7 multi-line optical grid for Hydroxyl Tagging Velocimetry (HTV) and generates at least 49 resolvable velocity vectors. Single-photon photodissociation of ground-state H₂O by a ~193-nm ArF excimer laser writes a 7×7 beam molecular grid with very long gridlines of superequilibrium OH and H photoproducts in either room air flowfields or in H₂-air flames due to the presence of H₂O vapor. The displaced OH tag line positions are revealed through fluorescence by A²⁺ (v=0)X²_i (v=0) OH excitation using a ~308-nm pulsed frequency-doubled dye laser. Time-of-flight analysis software determines the instantaneous velocity field in either an air nozzle or in a hydrogen/air flame. The OH tag lifetime is measured and compared to theoretical predictions using detailed chemistry. The lifetime of the OH tag is significantly enhanced by the presence of O atoms from 193-nm photodissociation of O₂.     

Effect of experimental parameters and image noise on the error levels in simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements using molecular tagging velocimetry/thermometry (MTV/T)

In this work, the effect of experimental parameters on the error levels associated with simultaneous measurement of displacement and temperature using Molecular Tagging Velocimetry/Thermometry (MTV/T) was quantified via simulated images. Images were simulated using Gaussian profile laser lines. Noise was added to the images using a uniform random distribution and a Gaussian random distribution to simulate electronic noise and shot noise, respectively. The results showed that the error levels in the displacement and temperature measurements were inversely related for most experimental parameters including the laser line thickness, fluid temperature and image delay times. It is concluded that the dynamic range of the technique depends on the flow speeds and temperatures and must be determined for each experiment individually. Error levels, for 95% confidence, were found to be better than 0.3°C for temperature and 0.2 pixels for displacement for typical real-world experimental parameters.     

Molecular tagging velocimetry in the wake of an object in supersonic flow

Molecular tagging velocimetry using air photolysis and recombination tracking (APART) was applied to the wake flow of a 30^° wedge in a small Mach 3 wind tunnel. Average velocities could be determined with a standard deviation down to 0.4% (free stream) and 7% (expansion fan behind wedge). Instantaneous velocities (measurement time 7 µs) could be recorded with a standard deviation down to 2%, limited by the available laser power. The measured velocity profile behind the wedge is compared to a simulation.     

Molecular tagging velocimetry and other novel applications of a new phosphorescent supramolecule

 The development and applications of a new class of water-soluble compounds suitable for molecular tagging diagnostics are described. These molecular complexes are formed by mixing a lumophore, an appropriate alcohol, and cyclodextrin. Using 1-BrNp as the lumophore, cyclohexanol is determined to be the most effective overall among the alcohols for which data are currently available. Information is provided for the design of experiments based on these complexes along with a less complex method for generating the grid patterns typically used for velocimetry. Implementation of a two-detector system is described which, in combination with a spatial correlation technique for determining velocities, relaxes the requirement that the initial tagging pattern be known a priori, eliminates errors in velocity estimates caused by variations in the grid pattern during an experiment, and makes it possible to study flows with non-uniform mixtures. This detection and analysis combination also solves one of the problems associated with using caged fluorescein to study high-speed flows. In addition to the traditional implementation for velocimetry, novel applications for studying the Lagrangian evolution of both reacting and non-reacting interfaces and obtaining combined passive scalar/velocity measurements are demonstrated. Received: 26 August 1996/Accepted: 13 March 1997     

Progress in Doppler picture velocimetry (DPV)

The special wide-field Michelson interferometer designed at ISL transforms the Doppler frequency shift of light scattered by tracer particles crossing a light sheet into a shift of luminous intensity at the output of the Michelson interferometer, yielding information about the particle velocity. To overcome former disadvantages, the optical set-up as well as the Doppler picture-processing algorithm were further improved. The present status of Doppler picture velocimetry (DPV) is explained by means of measurements carried out at Mach 6 in the ISL shock tunnel STA. The vertical velocity distribution around several bodies, such as a wedge, a sphere and a cylinder was visualized and measured.     

Fundamentals of multiframe particle image velocimetry (PIV)

A sophisticated strategy for the evaluation of time-resolved PIV image sequences is presented which takes the temporal variation of the particle image pattern into account. The primary aim of the method is to increase the accuracy and dynamic range by locally adopting the particle image displacement for each interrogation window to overcome the largest drawback of PIV. This is required in order to resolve flow phenomena which have so far remained inaccessible. The method locally optimizes the temporal separation between the particle image pairs by taking first and second order effects into account. The validation of the evaluation method is performed with synthetically generated particle image sequences based on the solution of a direct numerical simulation. In addition, the performance of the evaluation approach is demonstrated by means of a real image sequence measured with a time-resolved PIV system.