A new particle image velocimetry technique for three-dimensional flows

A PC-based machine vision system for obtaining three-dimensional particle co-ordinates using a single camera is presented. Based on photogrammetric imaging, this system uniquely combines the advantages of stereo and orthogonal views to determine the accurate locations of the particles. A 3D cross-correlation algorithm has been implemented to follow the particles from frame to frame and compute the velocity vectors. Experiments have been carried out to obtain the velocity profiles in a cubical test section with an offset inlet and outlet. The results obtained from the experimental investigation were compared with numerical simulation data obtained from FLUENT and STAR-CD.