Particle/droplet sizing by a modified miniLDV for two-phase flows

A new optical particle sizing (OPS) sensor for measurement of the speed in multi-phase flows is introduced. The OPS sensor is based on the miniLDV sensor technology. Modifications in the optics and the data analysis allows for the sensor to measure both the speed and the size of the particles, droplets, and/or bubbles. The data is sorted according to the measured size and the mean and rms velocities for the carrier fluid and for the discrete phases are calculated. The OPS does not require calibration, alignment or modifications of the probe by the user and works equally well in water with bubbles, and in air with droplets and solid particles. Data is presented demonstrating the accuracy and the efficiency of the OPS in two-phase flows.