Lagrangian Measurements of Dense Suspensions in Turbulent Vortical Flows

Several studies have investigated the behaviour of dense suspensions in laminar and creeping flows. However, the physics of turbulent (high Reynolds) dense-suspension flows is still poorly understood. Traditionally, Eulerian measurement techniques, such as Particle Image Velocimetry, have been used to examine dense-suspensions flows. Although such Eulerian measurements provided great insights into flow physics, they cannot provide particle trajectories, which are essential in studying particle residence time and particle-wall interactions. In the current work, Lagrangian particle tracking techniques are used to examine dense suspensions of volume fractions up to 40% in a flow loop. Additionally, a shear-thinning analog fluid with a single phase is also examined, in which the results are compared with pure water and dense suspensions. Furthermore, different geometries are installed inside the pipe to create high-Reynolds turbulent vortical flows. A pathline extension method will examine particle residence time and particle-wall interaction.