Comparative evaluation of electrical resistance tomography, positron emission particle tracking and high-speed imaging for analysing horizontal particle-liquid flow in a pipe

Abstract

We evaluate three experimental techniques - electrical resistance tomography (ERT), positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) and high-speed imaging (HSI) – for analysing the local particle velocity field and spatial distribution in a horizontal particle-liquid pipe flow under varying conditions of solid concentration. A new ERT methodology is devised for estimating particle velocity, circumventing the limitations of the conventional cross-correlation technique. Furthermore, an enhanced HSI approach is introduced and systematically compared with PEPT and ERT. Results show that, under all conditions, PEPT provides the most accurate particle velocity field followed by HSI, whilst ERT yields the most accurate concentration field, followed by HSI. The enhanced HSI emerges as a simple cost-effective option compared to PEPT and ERT. A combined measurement approach using PEPT for local particle velocity and ERT for local concentration, however, delivers the best comprehensive two-phase flow characterization, highlighting potential synergies between these methods for complex flow studies.