Laser Doppler Anemometry System Research Articles

Laser-Doppler Anemometry Measurements of Turbulent Swirling Wakes

This study considers the development and evolution of the swirling turbulent wake and their link to the turbulence present in the wake. A wake generator produces swirling wakes with a minimum of artifacts that would complicate the flow. Four swirling wakes have been studied with swirl numbers ranging from 0.19 to 0.37, and the results are compared to those of a nonswirling wake. Two-component laser-Doppler anemometry has been used to measure mean and turbulence quantities in the wake, and the uncertainty of these quantities has been determined. Careful alignment of the laser-Doppler anemometry system and large numbers of independent samples were used to obtain second-order turbulence statistics with low uncertainty. The results indicate that swirl strength impacts wake behavior, and changes in the behavior are linked to modifications in the turbulence. Faster wake width growth and centerline velocity deficit decay have been observed for wakes with higher swirl strength. The results indicate that a minimum swirl level is required to significantly impact wake behavior, and, at some level of swirl, the enhanced wake evolution observed saturates. For the conditions tested, the swirl number that enhances wake diffusion before saturation has been determined to lie between 0.21 and 0.37.

Experimental Investigation on Velocity Fluctuation in a Vaned Diffuser Centrifugal Pump Measured by Laser Doppler Anemometry

Turbulent flow, mainly originating from the rotor-stator interaction (RSI), is closely associated with the normal and safe operation of the centrifugal pump. In the current research, to clarify turbulent flow in the centrifugal pump with a vaned diffuser, the non-intrusive LDA (Laser Doppler Anemometry) system is applied to measure velocity pulsation signals at different regions when the pump operates at various flow rates. Time and frequency domain analysis methods are combined to investigate the velocity signals, and the velocity distribution around the volute tongue region is reconstructed from twenty measuring points. Results show that the velocity spectrum is characterized by the discrete components at the blade passing frequency and its higher harmonics, and it is caused by the RSI between the impeller and the diffuser. For the points in the volute spiral and diffusion sections, due to the significantly reduced RSI effect, the velocity spectrum shows an evident difference from comparison with the points between the impeller and diffuser, and the blade passing frequency is not always the dominant frequency. The comparison of velocity amplitudes and RMS* (root mean square of velocity) values at different points proves that the measuring position and flow rate affect velocity pulsations. As observed from velocity distribution reconstructed by LDA signals, high velocity regions are developed downstream of the diffuser channel for all the measured flow rates.

Velocity measurements in developing narrow open-channel flows with high free-stream turbulence: Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) vs Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA)

A developing narrow open-channel flow has been investigated using Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) and Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA). The objectives were to first characterize the flow environment with the LDA system alone, then quantify the intrusion effect of the ADV sensor immersion, and finally compare ADV-LDA measurements. The main features of the flow have been described. The turbulence levels measured in the outer flow region are high and almost isotropic due to the specificities of the flow (3D, narrow, developing). This contributes to a flattening of the mean streamwise velocity profile in this region. The intrusion effect of the ADV sensor is found to be dependent on Froude number (Fr=U0/gH with U0 the discharge velocity, H the flow depth, and g the gravity acceleration). Vertical flow below the sensor is amplified while the streamwise component of the flow is enhanced for “low” Fr (≤0.6) and reduced for “high” Fr (≥1.1). On the other hand, turbulence quantities are not affected by the sensor presence. Compared to the LDA, the ADV is shown to underestimate the mean flow and turbulence intensities, while not affecting Reynolds shear stress measurements. The underestimation of the turbulence intensities can be attributed to the lower sampling rate and larger sampling volume of the ADV, but the underestimations of the mean velocities are more likely linked to a constant bias that the ADV seems to have or to some type of ADV-intrinsic noise. Some implications for practical application are discussed.

Experimental and Computational Investigation of Flow Structure in Buoyancy-Dominated Rotating Cavities

Abstract The flow and heat transfers inside high-pressure (HP) compressor rotating cavities are buoyancy driven and are known to be extremely difficult to predict. The experimental data of laser-Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements inside an engine representative cavity rig are presented in this paper. Traverses using a two component LDA system have been carried out in the shaft bore and the cavity regions in order to map the axial and tangential velocity components. The velocity data are collected for a range of Rossby, Rotational, and Axial Reynolds numbers, Ro, Reθ, and Rez, 0.08<Ro<0.64, 7×105< Reθ<2.83×106, and 1.2×104< Rez<4.8×104, respectively, and for values of the buoyancy parameter βΔT, 0.284<βΔT<0.55. Numerical study using unsteady Reynolds-averaged-Navier–Stokes (URANS) simulations has been carried out to elucidate flow details for a few selected cases. The experimental results revealed that the Swirl number (Xk) varies from a value < 1 near the bore to near solid body rotation at increased radii within the cavity. The analysis of frequency spectrum of the tangential velocity inside the cavities has also shown the existence of pairs of rotating and contra-rotating vortices. There is generally satisfactory agreement between measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. There is also convincing evidence of two or more separate regions in the flow dominated by the bore flow and rotation.

Performance of the LDA Volumetric Flow Rate Standard Under Severely Disturbed Flow Conditions

Flow meters in thermal power plants are operated at high temperatures and pressures and often encounter disturbed flow profiles. This leads to an increased measurement uncertainty, limiting the safe operating range of flow rates and thus, the plant's power output. To respond to this shortcoming, the laser optical flow rate standard (LFS) was developed. The LFS is designed to allow the on-site calibration of industrial flow meters in power plants at high temperatures and pressures. It makes use of the laser Doppler anemometry (LDA), as a fundamental and non-invasive method, to measure the velocity field simultaneously with two LDA systems. The volumetric flow rate is then determined by means of integration. Here, we present flow rate measurements for a fully developed pipe flow and for six pipe diameters downstream of a disturbance generator. The mean deviation in flow rate between the two LDA systems was 0.05%, with a mean deviation from the gravimetric reference flow rate of 0.12%. The highest deviations from the reference were 0.21% and 0.31%, for the first and second system respectively.

On the scaling of large-scale structures in smooth-bed turbulent open-channel flows

This paper investigates the existence and scaling of the so-called large-scale and very-large-scale motions (LSMs and VLSMs) in non-uniform turbulent open-channel flows developing over a smooth bed in a laboratory flume. A laser Doppler anemometry system was employed to measure vertical profiles of longitudinal and bed-normal velocity statistics over a wide range of hydraulic conditions. Pre-multiplied spectra of the longitudinal velocity fluctuations revealed the existence of two peaks occurring at wavelengths consistent with those associated with LSMs and VLSMs as detected in the past literature pertaining to wall turbulence. However, contrary to so-called canonical wall flows (i.e. flat-plate boundary layers, pipe and closed-channel flows), the LSM and VLSM peaks observed in the open-channel flows investigated herein are detectable over a much larger extent of the wall-normal coordinate. Furthermore, the VLSM peak appears at von Karman numbers $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70F}}$ as low as 725, whereas in other wall flows much higher values are normally required. Finally, as conjectured by a recent study on uniform rough-bed open-channel flows, the present paper confirms that LSM wavelengths scale nicely with the flow depth, whereas the channel aspect ratio (i.e. the ratio between channel width and flow depth) is the non-dimensional parameter controlling the scaling of VLSM wavelengths. The intensity and wavelengths of the VLSM peaks were also observed to depend on the spanwise coordinate. This result suggests that VLSMs might be dynamically linked to secondary currents, as these are also known to vary in strength and size across the channel width.

High resolution LDA measurements in transitional oblique shock wave boundary layer interaction

Spatial development of a transitional Oblique Shock Wave Interaction at Mach 1.68 is presented. This type of flow is characterised by very small length scales (boundary layer thickness is smaller than 1mm), high velocities, reverse flows and a wide range of velocity fluctuations along the transition process. Unsteady velocity fields have been obtained using a high spatial resolution Laser Doppler Anemometry system, allowing quantitative measurements of the velocity fluctuations down to $$y/\delta =0.1$$ . A model to take into account the finite size of the probe volume on the mean and RMS velocity measurements is used and applied to the present measurements. Finally, the amplification of the velocity fluctuations along the transitional separated shear layer is described.

Flow Partitioning in Rectangular Open Channel Flow

Hydraulic engineers often divide a flow region into subregions to simplify calculations. However, the implementation of flow divisibility remains an open issue and has not yet been implemented as a fully developed mathematical tool for modeling complex channel flows independently of experimental verification. This paper addresses whether a three-dimensional flow is physically divisible, meaning that division lines with zero Reynolds shear stress exist. An intensive laboratory investigation was conducted to carefully measure the time-averaged velocity in a rectangular open channel flow using a laser Doppler anemometry system. Two innovative methods are employed to determine the locations of division lines based on the measured velocity profile. The results clearly reveal that lines with zero total shear stress are discernible, indicating that the flow is physically divisible. Moreover, the experimental data were employed to test previously proposed methods of calculating division lines, and the results show that Yang and Lim’s method is the most reasonable predictor.

Integral and statistical characteristics of the turbulent swirl flow in a straight conical diffuser

The results of the experimental investigations of the turbulent swirl flow in a straight conical diffuser with inlet diameter 0.4m and total divergence angle 8.6? are presented in this paper. The incompressible swirl flow field is generated by the axial fan with outer diameter 0.397m. The measurements were performed in one measuring section downstream the axial fan impeller in the conical diffuser in position (z/R0 = 1) with original classical probes and an one-component laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) system, for four flow regimes. The comparative measurements of axial and circumferential velocities are presented. The Reynolds number, calculated on the basis of the average velocity, ranges from 149857 to 216916. Integral parameters, such as volume flow rate, average circulation and swirl number, are determined. Statistical characteristics, such as level of turbulence, skewness and flatness factors, are calculated. The highest levels of turbulence for axial velocity are reached in region 0.4 < r/R < 0.6, where D = 2R. The highest levels of turbulence for circumferential velocity are reached for the regimes with lower circulation in r/R ? 0.4, i.e., in the vortex core region for the cases with higher circulation.

Experimental Investigation of the Wake and the Wingtip Vortices of a UAV Model

An experimental investigation of the wake of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) model using flow visualization techniques and a 3D Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system is presented in this work. Emphasis is given on the flow field at the wingtip and the investigation of the tip vortices. A comparison of the velocity field is made with and without winglet devices installed at the wingtips. The experiments are carried out in a closed-circuit subsonic wind tunnel. The flow visualization techniques include smoke-wire and smoke-probe experiments to identify the flow phenomena, whereas for accurately measuring the velocity field point measurements are conducted using the LDA system. Apart from the measured velocities, vorticity and circulation quantities are also calculated and compared for the two cases. The results help to provide a more detailed view of the flow field around the UAV and indicate the winglets’ significant contribution to the deconstruction of wing-tip vortex structures.

CFD–DEM simulation of turbulence modulation in horizontal pneumatic conveying

A study is presented to evaluate the capabilities of the standard k–ε turbulence model and the k–ε turbulence model with added source terms in predicting the experimentally measured turbulence modulation due to the presence of particles in horizontal pneumatic conveying, in the context of a CFD–DEM Eulerian–Lagrangian simulation. Experiments were performed using a 6.5-m long, 0.075-m diameter horizontal pipe in conjunction with a laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) system. Spherical glass beads with two sizes, 1.5 and 2mm, were used. Simulations were performed using the commercial discrete element method software EDEM, coupled with the computational fluid dynamics package FLUENT. Hybrid source terms were added to the conventional k–ε turbulence model to take into account the influence of the dispersed phase on the carrier phase turbulence intensity. The simulation results showed that the turbulence modulation depends strongly on the model parameter Cε3. Both the standard k–ε turbulence model and the k–ε turbulence model with the hybrid source terms could predict the gas phase turbulence intensity trend only generally. A noticeable discrepancy in all cases between simulation and experimental results was observed, particularly for the regions close to the pipe wall. It was also observed that in some cases the addition of the source terms to the k–ε turbulence model did not improve the simulation results when compared with those of the standard k–ε turbulence model. Nonetheless, in the lower part of the pipe where particle loading was greater due to gravitational effects, the model with added source terms performed somewhat better.

Detection of low intensity sound with laser Doppler anemometry

Laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) sound measurement systems have traditionally been designed to achieve point measurements of a sound field so they keep the laser path lengths through the water short to minimize the signal contribution from the acousto-optic effect and use relatively large beam separation angles to minimize the interference fringe volume. While the traditional LDA approaches provide reasonable sensitivity to the Doppler shifts from microparticles oscillating in a low frequency sound field, at high frequencies the sound measurement sensitivity depends on the optical path length difference (OPD). OPD increases due to the acousto-optic effect as the sound pressure is integrated over the entire path length. An LDA system using a small beam separation angle and long laser light paths through the water is shown to be capable of detecting low intensity sound pressure signals. Theoretical and experimental results are presented.

Micro analysis of fringe field formed inside LDA measuring volume

In the present study we propose a technique for micro analysis of fringe field formed inside laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measuring volume. Detailed knowledge of the fringe field obtained by this technique allows beam quality, alignment and fringe uniformity to be evaluated with greater precision and may be helpful for selection of an appropriate optical element for LDA system operation. A complete characterization of fringes formed at the measurement volume using conventional, as well as holographic optical elements, is presented. Results indicate the qualitative, as well as quantitative, improvement of fringes formed at the measurement volume by holographic optical elements. Hence, use of holographic optical elements in LDA systems may be advantageous for improving accuracy in the measurement.

Three-dimension efflux velocity characteristics of marine propeller jets

Determining the efflux velocity in a ship's propeller jet is the key to calculating the velocity at any other location within the diffusing jet. Current semi-empirical equations used to calculate the magnitude of the efflux velocity have been based on studies that employed a limited range of propeller characteristics. This paper reports on the findings of an experimental investigation into the magnitude of the efflux velocities of the jets produced by four different propellers, where the characteristic of the blade geometry has been chosen to extend the range of applicability of the outcomes. Measurements of velocity have been made using a three-dimensional laser Doppler anemometry system, with the test propellers operating at a range of rotational speeds that bound typical operational values. Comparisons are made with current predictive theories and, to aid engineers in the design of marine infrastructure, methods are presented by which the three-dimensional efflux velocity components, as well as the resultant efflux value, can be more accurately determined.

Investigation of the turbulent swirl flow in pipe generated by axial fans using PIV and LDA methods

In this paper is presented experimental investigation of the turbulent swirl flow in pipe generated by axial fans. Two various models of industrial axial fans are used. One of these is axial fan W30, model AP 400, Minel, Serbia and has seven blades and outer diameter 0.397m. Second axial fan SP30 is model TGT/2-400-6, S&P, Spain, has six blades and outer diameter 0.386m. This results with greater clearance in the second case. Blades were adjusted for both fans at the angle of 30? at the outer diameter. Test rig length is 27.74-D, where D is average inner diameter app. 0.4 m. Measurements are performed in two measuring sections downstream the axial fans (z/D = 3.35 and z/D = 26.31) with one-component laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) system and stereo particle image velocimetry (SPIV). Obtained Reynolds numbers, calculated on the basis of the average axial velocity (Um) in the first measuring section are for fan SP30 Re = 226757, while for fan W30 Re = 254010. Integral flow parameters are determined such as average circulation and swirl number. Significant downstream axial velocity transformation occurs for both fans, while circumferential velocity is decreased, but non-dimensional velocity profile remains the same. Circumferential velocity distribution for both fans in the central zone corresponds to the solid body, while in r/R > 0.4, where D = 2R, distribution is more uniform. Radial velocity in the case of fan SP30 has almost zero values in the measuring section z/D = 3.35, while its values are significantly increased in the downstream section with the maximum in the vortex core region. On the contrary radial velocity decreases downstream for fan W30 and has also maximum value in the vortex core region for both measuring sections. Level of turbulence, skewness and flatness factors are calculated on the basis of the experimental data. The highest levels of turbulence for circumferential velocity are reached in the vortex core region for both fans. It is shown how statistical moments of the third and fourth order differ from the values for normal Gaussian distribution. In this paper are also analyzed velocity fields by use of SPIV.

A wind tunnel study of aeolian sediment transport response to unsteady winds

Although moderate attention has been paid to the response of the aeolian mass transport rate to wind gusts, it is still unclear how the particle size and volumetric concentration affect this relation. Very little is known about the response time of the particle speed, and specifically, how the sensor scale and elevation affect measurements of this variable. The present study addresses this knowledge gap through a series of wind tunnel experiments in which a gusty wind was generated by programming the fan motor to adjust to a randomly selected rpm every 10s. Beds consisting of either medium or coarse sand were investigated through synchronous, co-located measurements of the local wind speed and particle speed/count rate obtained via a customized laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) system. The vertically integrated sand transport rate (Q) and the wind speed in the freestream were quantified using a passive sand trap and pitot tube, respectively. The results of the experiments indicate that the response of the aeolian transport system to wind gusts is generally faster in terms of the particle speed than the mass transport rate, while the degree of correlation is found to vary with the sensor elevation, as well as with the particle size and volumetric concentration. In essence, the coupling within the transport system is demonstrated to be strongly scale dependent.

Turbulence Characteristics in Supercritical Open Channel Flows: Effects of Froude Number and Aspect Ratio

AbstractAn experimental investigation of supercritical uniform and gradually varied open channel flows is presented for a wide range of Froude numbers and flume width-to-flow depth aspect ratios. The instantaneous streamwise and vertical flow velocities were measured in a laboratory flume over the entire width using a two dimensional–laser Doppler anemometry (2D-LDA) system to determine turbulence intensities, and bed and Reynolds shear stresses. The mean velocity patterns show undulation across the flume, indicating the presence of counterrotating secondary current cells. These currents redistribute turbulence intensities and bed and Reynolds shear stresses across the flume. For aspect ratios ≤ 4−5, i.e., narrow open channel flow, the velocity-dip phenomenon is identified both in the streamwise velocity and the Reynolds shear stress distributions. For high aspect ratios, i.e., wide open channel flow, the strength of secondary currents diminish toward the flume center, resulting in a 2D flow farther away ...

Investigation and Comparison of In-Flight Particle Velocity During the Plasma-Spray Process as Measured by Laser Doppler Anemometry and DPV-2000

Plasma spraying has become one of the most important thermal-spray technologies due to low operating costs, high deposition rates, and a high efficiency. It is especially suitable for producing coatings used to improve thermal, corrosion, and wear protection. The quality of coatings produced by thermal-spray processes are determined by particle characteristics, such as in-flight velocity, which can be investigated using various diagnostic systems. Velocity is a particularly relevant parameter for small particles, but it is difficult to measure. Hence, different velocity diagnostics must be validated for small injected particles. We compared the laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) system with the DPV-2000 system and measured the particle velocities of a F4 plasma torch. The results agreed well when the limited detectability of small particles by LDA was taken into account.

An experimental investigation into cavitation behaviour and pressure characteristics of alternative blade sections for propellers

During the final quarter of the last century considerable efforts have been spent to reduce the hull pressure fluctuations caused by unsteady propeller cavitation. This has resulted in further changes in propeller design characteristics including increased skew, tip unloading and introduction of “New Blade Sections” (NBS) designed on the basis of the so-called Eppler code. An experimental study was carried out to investigate flow characteristics of alternative two-dimensional (2-D) blade sections of rectangular planform, one of which was the New Blade Section (NBS) developed in Newcastle University and other was based on the well-known National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) section. The experiments comprised the cavitation observations and the measurements of the local velocity distribution around the blade sections by using a 2-D Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) system. Analysis of the cavitation tests demonstrated that the two blade sections presented very similar bucket shapes with virtually no width at the bottom but relatively favourable buckets arms at the suction and pressure sides for the NACA section. Similarly, pressure analysis of the sections displayed a slightly larger value for the NBS pressure peak. The comparative overall pressure distributions around the sections suggested that the NBS might be more susceptible to cavitation than the NACA section. This can be closely related to the fundamental shape of the NBS with very fine leading edge. Therefore a further investigation into the modification of the leading edge should be considered to improve the cavitation behaviour of the NBS.

An effective method for comparing the turbulence intensity from LDA measurements and CFD predictions within a ship propeller jet

The mean velocity and turbulence intensity are the two main inputs to investigate the ship propeller induced seabed scouring resulting from a vessel is manoeuvring within a port where the underkeel clearances are low. More accurate data including the turbulence intensity is now available by using the laser doppler anemometry (LDA) measurement system and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Turbulence intensity has a loose definition, which is the velocity fluctuation as the root mean square (RMS) referenced to a mean flow velocity. However, the velocity fluctuation and mean velocity can be the overall value including x, y and z directions or the value of a single component. LDA and CFD results were obtained from two different acquisition systems (Dantec LDA system and Fluent CFD package) and therefore the outputs cannot be compared directly. An effective method is proposed for comparing the turbulence intensity between the experimental measurements and the computational predictions within a ship propeller jet. The flow patterns of turbulence intensity within a ship propeller jet are presented by using the LDA measurements and CFD results from turbulence models of standard k−ε, RNG k−ε, realizable k–ε, standard k–ω, SST k–ω and Reynolds stresses.