Simultaneous PIV/LIF Measurements Of Velocity And Oxygen In An Advecting Air-Water Channel Flow

Abstract

We investigate oxygen transfer across an air-water interface using an integrated Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) system. This setup allows for the simultaneous measurement of velocity and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration fields, alongside the visualization of the air-water interface. The imaging process begins with zero DO concentration and continues until oxygen saturation in the water is achieved. Calibration of the oxygen LIF intensity field is performed using these images, benchmarked against measurements from an optical oxygen point probe, to ensure accurate conversion to a physically relevant unit. The air channel generates an air flow with a center-line mean velocity of 8.84 m/s, corresponding to a Taylor Reynolds number of 100. This high-velocity air flow results in the formation of wavy structures on the water interface creating situations similar to those found in nature (such as rivers and oceans). The wavy structures create reflections from the air-water interface; these reflections are mitigated during post-processing using a Wavelet-Fast Fourier Transform (W-FFT) method to remove high intensity noise. Additionally, the wind shear generated by the air flow induces high turbulence intensity and vortices near the air-water interface, significantly enhancing the dissolution of oxygen into the water. This turbulence and the associated vortical structures play a crucial role in the mixing process and the overall oxygen transfer efficiency. The study presents instantaneous dissolved oxygen structures overlapped with velocity structures in a flow with deformable interface, providing some insights into the oxygen transfer and mixing processes.