Optimization in PIV algorithm for visualizing vortices in bubble wake

Abstract

The PIV (Particle image velocimetry) is the most commonly used method for flow field observation because of its high efficiency and non-interference to the flow field. This study aims to clarify the optimal parameter conditions used in the cross-correlation algorithm of PIV for flow fields with vortices. The influence factors on the error of the cross-correlation algorithm are analyzed and discussed using a synthetic flow field, including the seeding conditions, the velocity gradient and vortex size. It is confirmed that the minimum particle number density per interrogation window is about 10, which generally limits the minimum size of the window. For a vortex, when the vortex size is fixed, the velocity gradient corresponding to the characteristic velocity both controls the lower and upper limitation of window size. For a relatively small vortex, generally a window not larger than the vortex size is asked. Then, a strategy to improve the observation based on the existing equipment is discussed and applied to visualize a rising bubble wake based on LIF (Laser-induced fluorescence) images.