Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry Research Articles

Behaviour of Acoustically Levitated Drops in Mid-Water.

A low-impact acoustic levitation system has been developed to study immobilised single drops in liquid-liquid systems. The ability to observe liquid drops several millimetres in diameter for days enables fundamental research into a wide range of mechanisms. Non-invasive optical measurements with excellent optical accessibility are possible. This experimental work provides the basis for mass transfer studies, emphasizing the precise volume determination, signal noise, reproducibility, and the impact of the acoustic field on the drop and its surrounding environment. The setup can be effectively controlled and proves beneficial for research objectives provided that all liquid phases are entirely degassed, and there are no compressible voids present within the liquids. In addition to the precise, uniform, and reliable measurement conditions, we observed no acoustic streaming in the proximity of the drop and there was no significant vibration of the drop. Qualitative observations using rainbow schlieren deflectometry indicate that the nodal or anti-nodal planes of the standing waves can act as barriers to the dispersion of inhomogeneous dissolved substances in the continuous phase.

Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry for spherical fields: A new algorithm and numerical validation approach

The authors present a new algorithm for analyzing ray deflection within spherical refractive index fields. The algorithm emanates from the well-known deconvolution algorithm for axisymmetric refractive index fields using the inverse Abel transformation and can be used for experimental Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry (RSD) data. It was numerically validated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations of free convection around an isothermal sphere and successive ray tracing through the determined temperature field. The algorithm determined radial temperature profiles and local Nusselt numbers from resulting deflection angles of the ray tracing simulations. An excellent agreement between original and reconstructed temperature field within the limits of assumptions was reached. This proves the usability of the algorithm for the experimental determination of spherical refractive index fields from future heat or mass transfer experiments.

Coupled bubble dynamics and interaction mechanisms of adjacently nucleated vapor bubbles under subcooled pool boiling regime

The present work investigates the plausible modes of interaction between two adjacently located vapor bubbles growing on high wettability surface during subcooled nucleate pool boiling. The study becomes important as the phenomenon of bubble interaction has a significant impact on the resulting bubble dynamic parameters as well as on microlayer dynamics of the respective vapor bubbles. As against the symmetric growth of microlayer in the case of isolated pool boiling, microlayers of mutually interacting vapor bubbles no longer remain symmetric and tend to deplete relatively faster, thereby influencing the resulting wall heat transfer rates. Toward this, the microlayers and dynamics of adjacently located interacting vapor bubbles have been mapped in a simultaneous manner using thin-film interferometry and high-speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry as a function of varying subcooling levels. Results of the experiments revealed that parameters such as non-dimensional spacing between the two vapor bubbles, supplied heat flux, and degree of subcooling have a strong impact on the mechanism of bubbles' interaction, which, in turn, influence the bubble departure frequency, bubble diameter, and microlayer dynamics. Three dominant modes of bubble interaction, hydrodynamic interaction (HI), thermal interaction (TI), and coalescence (C), were identified as a function of the level of subcooling. Quantification of the experimental data showed that the equivalent diameter of the vapor bubble increases with an increase in the level of heat flux, while it decreases with an increase in the subcooling level. Additionally, the secondary nucleation affects the liftoff time and movement of the primary bubble and can hydrodynamically deplete the microlayer of the first bubble even when the bubbles are far apart, with the depletion rates showing a strong dependence on the growth rate and location of the secondary nucleation.

Experimental investigation to quantify the influence of single artificial indentations on vapour bubble dynamics and the associated heat transfer rates

Dependence of single vapour bubble dynamics and the associated heat transfer phenomena on the type of artificial indentations created on the heated substrate has been studied. Experiments under nucleate boiling regime have been carried out for conical indentations of varying cone angles (2γ = 30, 60 and 90o) and cylindrical cavity keeping the depth of features constant (hc = 500 μm). Rainbow schlieren deflectometry has been employed for simultaneous mapping of bubble dynamics and thermal field in a completely non-intrusive and real time manner. Direct comparison of the rainbow schlieren images shows a relatively large partition of thermal energy through natural convection for conical indentation of small cone angle and cylindrical cavity. For large-angled conical indentation, increased availability of thermal energy for bubble growth process results in the formation of relatively larger-sized vapour bubble at a relatively slower rate. In addition, due to the relative differences in the amount of vapour entrapped inside the cavities between any two bubbling cycles, the consistency of bubbling features was found to be much higher for larger cone angled cavity. The evidence for increased partition of thermal energy transfer through natural convection has been seen in the form of an increase in the portion of superheat layer in the vicinity of vapour bubble for conical cavity with small cone angles from the whole-field temperature reconstructions. For ΔTsup = 10 K, the heat transfer performance of surfaces with conical cavity with large cone angle (2γ = 90o) is significantly much better than the other conical and cylindrical cavities.

Limitations of cetane number to predict transient combustion phenomena in high-pressure fuel sprays

Fundamental understanding of in-cylinder processes in diesel engines is important to screen emerging biofuels and advanced combustion modes that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and regulated pollutants including soot. In this study, the role of fuel properties on spray development and combustion is investigated by systematically isolating chemical and thermophysical effects. Three different fuels are considered, two with similar chemical properties and two with similar thermophysical properties with one fuel common to both groups. Experiments are performed in a constant-pressure flow chamber designed to provide stable test conditions and facilitate acquisition of at least 150 injections in quick succession for each fuel under reacting high-pressure, high-temperature ambient conditions using a modified conventional diesel engine injector. High speed optical diagnostics including rainbow schlieren deflectometry, OH* chemiluminescence, and a two-color pyrometry system are employed to simultaneously image the transient spray and reacting jets. Image analysis is performed to determine liquid length, vapor penetration length, timing and location of first stage and main ignition events, lift-off location, total soot mass, and more. Results show that fuels with similar chemical properties or cetane number (CN) exhibit similar delay times for first stage and main ignition events as may be expected, but very different liquid length, first stage and main ignition locations, lift-off length, apparent turbulent flame speed, and soot formation. As such, the ability to characterize candidate biofuels with CN or other parameters derived from simple flame configurations is called into question. In this study, thermophysical properties controlling the liquid length are identified as the main contributing factor for the observed differences.

In-situ characterization of double-diffusive convection during unidirectional solidification of a binary solution

ABSTRACT The work focuses on developing a detailed understanding of the effects of initial composition (C in ) and bottom cooling temperatures (TB ) on different characteristics of double-diffusive convection during unidirectional solidification of water-NH4Cl solution in a complete non-intrusive manner. The qualitative investigation, simultaneous quantification of transported parameters (composition and temperature) and fluid velocities associated with flow patterns are carried out using rainbow schlieren deflectometry, dual-wavelength interferometry and PIV (particle image velocimetry) technique respectively. The dependence of the characteristics of double-diffusive convection for different Cin and TB is explained on the basis of real-time whole-field investigation using a combination of aforementioned imaging techniques.

Non-intrusive diagnostics of differentially-heated two-component immiscible fluid layer with phase change

Experiments on buoyancy-driven convective phenomena in a differentially-heated two component immiscible fluid layer with phase change phenomena have been reported. The real-time mapping of the transients associated with the process has been affected in a complete non-intrusive manner using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Experiments have been performed for varying heat flux levels supplied to the lower horizontal surface of the cavity and for different heights of the secondary fluid layer. The two-component immiscible fluid mixture comprises of water as the (lighter) primary fluid layer and dichloromethane (DCM) as the (heavier) secondary fluid component. The supplied heat flux levels are sufficient enough to induce phase change in the secondary fluid layer through nucleate pool boiling. In addition to the real-time mapping of the buoyancy-induced convection in both the fluid layers, the process of vapor bubble inception, their growth and departure from the lower heated wall of the cavity have been recorded in the form of time-lapsed schlieren images. Conditions under which the continued interaction of the vapor phase of DCM with the interface leads to interface deformation and its final breakage have been investigated. Based on the force balance analysis, the critical volume of the DCM vapor phase required for interface breakage has been determined. Dependence of parameters such as neck breakage height, time required for interface breakage etc. on the supplied heat flux level and height of the secondary fluid has been investigated. The experimental observations revealed the importance of vapor bubbles-induced fluid agitation in the otherwise stagnant primary fluid layer, disruption of the thermal boundary layer in a completely passive manner as the upward rising vapor volume condenses at the top horizontal surface of the differentially-heated cavity and their implications in possible heat transfer enhancement.

Quantitative flow diagnostics of shock trains by rainbow schlieren deflectometry

AbstractA new measurement technique to reconstruct the density field of the shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SWBLI) in a confined duct is proposed. With this technique, it is possible to quantitatively capture in detail the structures of the density field both in the regions of the shock-systems in the central core and boundary-layer flows near the duct wall concurrently. The novel feature of the proposed technique is to make use of the schlieren images with the rainbow filters of the vertical and horizontal cutoff settings and then to reconstruct the two-dimensional density field integrated over the line-of-sight direction using the corresponding filter calibration curves. The proposed technique is applied for the first time to a shock train in a constant-area straight duct under the upstream condition of the shock train: the freestream Mach number is 1.42, the incoming boundary layer thickness normalised by the duct half height is 0.175, and the corresponding unit Reynolds number $Re/m$ is $2.99 \times 10^7$ m-1. The calculated isopycnic field depicts the streamwise and transverse density variations inside the shock train, the mixing region after the shock train, and the boundary-layer of the interaction region. This technique is shown to be capable of identifying the locations of shocks in a shock train more precisely than a conventional approach measuring the static pressure distribution along the duct wall. In addition, various quantitative visual representations such as a shadowgraphy and a bright-field schlieren can be extracted from the density field acquired by the present approach, and the spatial evolution of the shape and strength of each shock constituting the shock train as well as the boundary layer flow properties can be quantitatively clarified.

Transient mixing behavior of a supercritical fluid injected into supercritical and subcritical environments

Transient, near-field mixing of a supercritical fluid injected into supercritical and subcritical environments is investigated experimentally. Fuel (propane) from a 100 μm diameter Bosch diesel injector is injected into a high-pressure test rig with a steady flow of heated, low-velocity nitrogen to control the ambient pressure and temperature. The fuel supply pressure is approximately 190 bar, allowing short injections lasting 3–4 ms to be performed in quick succession to acquire statistically significant datasets to represent the unsteady fuel–air mixing. Two test cases with the same ambient density and injector inlet pressure and temperature were chosen in an attempt to isolate effects of mixture phase behavior. Microscopic rainbow Schlieren deflectometry (RSD) is used for visualization and quantitative data acquisition. In the case of the supercritical ambient, the injector inlet and exit and ambient conditions are all supercritical. The RSD analysis reveals a mixing process similar to the single phase fluid mixing, though condensation is also observed locally, and can be explained by the adiabatic mixing theory presented in the paper. For the subcritical ambient case, the injector inlet is supercritical, but the injector exit and ambient conditions are both subcritical. The results show a rapid expansion in the near-field promoting mixing between propane and nitrogen. At downstream locations, significant condensation is also observed as predicted by the adiabatic mixing theory. The supercritical ambient case exhibited longer and narrower jet penetration compared to the subcritical ambient case.

Gas-liquid hydrodynamics and vortex motion of flame spread over jet fuel in longitudinal air stream

The gas-liquid hydrodynamic characteristics and pulsation behaviors of flame spread over jet fuel are investigated in various longitudinal air streams. The experiments are conducted in concurrent and opposed air streams by igniting fuels at opposite extremes of the tray. Six magnitudes of air stream speeds are used for the tests, namely 0.45, 0.88, 1.3, 1.73, 2.15 and 2.57 m/s. The liquid convection flow is monitored using a rainbow schlieren deflectometry which confirms that the liquid flows in vertical and horizontal direction act together to form a clockwise vortex. Based on non-dimensional parameter group, the effect of longitudinal air stream on liquid hydrodynamics is revealed. The movement of liquid convective flow is primarily driven by thermocapillary force, while the effect of buoyancy is relatively small, regardless of direction and magnitude of air stream speeds. Combined with the boundary layer theory, the flow velocities driven by expansion of hot gas product and opposed thermal buoyancy and local air stream are quantified. The threshold value of air flow speed for establishing gas-phase recirculation cell is determined, and the transformation mechanism of flame pulsation mode is analyzed.

A New Algorithm for the Determination of Spherical Fields with Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry

A New Algorithm for the Determination of Spherical Fields with Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry

On the identification and mapping of three distinct stages of single vapor bubble growth with the corresponding microlayer dynamics

An experimental study to establish a one-on-one correspondence between microlayer dynamics and growth process of single vapor bubble under nucleate pool boiling regime has been presented. The transient evolution of microlayer and the corresponding vapor bubble growth have been simultaneously recorded using a thin film interferometer and one of the gradients-based imaging techniques, namely rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Based on interferometry measurements, the microlayer is observed to undergo three distinct stages. Each of these stages is identified by distinct microlayer structure namely, inverted conical, flattened peripheral region and truncated conical structure during the initial, transitional and diffusion-controlled growth phases of the vapor bubble. Contribution of microlayer towards bubble growth has been established by quantifying the time rate of change of net mass of the superheated fluid entrapped in the microlayer region and the corresponding rate of change of mass of the growing bubble. The analysis showed that the ratio of mass of the superheated fluid in the microlayer region to the mass of the vapor bubble does not exceed a maximum of ~ 15%. For any given heat flux level, the growing vapor bubble is seen to acquire its maximum size in the transitional regime of the growth process during which the microlayer exhibits a flattened peripheral region. Possible impact of varying heat flux level on microlayer dynamics and movement of the apparent contact line of the vapor bubble has also been discussed. A reasonably good agreement of the experimental data with some of the well-established bubble growth models for initial microlayer thickness has been observed. Based on the experimental results, critical value of empirical parameter ‘Cslope’ (parameter correlating the bubble base radius and the maximum microlayer thickness) for transition from inertia-driven to diffusion dominated growth has been identified to be ~ 0.0042.

Comparing Global Spray Combustion Characteristics and Local Shot-to-Shot Variations in a Reacting n-Heptane Spray

Abstract In support of efforts to develop improved models of turbulent spray behavior and combustion in diesel engines, experimental data and analysis must be obtained for guidance and validation. For Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-based Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling approaches, representative ensemble average experimental results are important. For high-fidelity models such as large eddy simulations (LES)-based CFD, precise individual experimental results are desirable. However, making comparisons between a given experiment and LES is a challenge since local parameters cannot be directly compared. In this work, an optically accessible constant pressure flow rig (CPFR) is utilized to acquire diesel-like fuel injection and reaction behavior simultaneously with three optical diagnostic techniques: rainbow Schlieren deflectometry (RSD), OH* chemiluminescence (OH*), and two-color pyrometry (2CP). The CPFR allows a large number of repeated injection experiments to be performed for statistical analysis and convergence using ensemble-averaging techniques, while maintaining highly repeatable test conditions. Even for stable test conditions, variations in local turbulent fuel–air mixing introduce variability, which manifests as significant differences in OH* and 2CP results. Experimental measurements of characteristic parameters including liquid and vapor jet penetration, liftoff length, soot temperature and concentration, and turbulent flame speed, along with the shot-to-shot variability of each dataset, are presented and discussed. A statistical method is utilized to analyze the extent of this variability, and to identify superlative injections within the dataset for discussion and analysis of shot-to-shot variations.

Application of Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry for Jets from Round Laval Nozzles Followed by Cylindrical Ducts

The jet from a round Laval nozzle followed by a cylindrical duct with an inner diameter of 10 mm and a length of 50 mm is investigated experimentally. The Laval nozzle has a design Mach number of 1.5. Quantitative flow visualization of the jet issued from the duct exit is performed over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 2.0 to 4.5 using the rainbow schlieren deflectometry combined with the computed tomography to investigate the jet three-dimensional structure. The flow features of the near-field shock systems in the jets are displayed with the density contour plot at the cross-section including the jet centerline. Effects of the nozzle pressure ratio on the density profile along the jet centerline are clarified quantitatively. In addition, a comparison between the present experiment and the previous one with a conventional Laval nozzle for jet centerline density profiles is carried out to examine the effect of the cylindrical duct. Furthermore, the three-dimensional structures of overexpanded and underexpanded jets are demonstrated with the isopycnic surfaces to visualize the internal flow features.

Quantitative concentration measurements in a turbulent helium jet using rainbow schlieren deflectometry

Rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) is applied to acquire quantitative concentration measurements in a turbulent environment for the first time. RSD methodology is developed and validated using Rayleigh scattering data available in the literature. Experiments were performed in an initially laminar, momentum-driven helium jet injected into ambient air. Full-field measurements are acquired that span the laminar, transition, and fully turbulent regions of the jet. The RSD results are shown to provide accurate measurements in each region and also confirm the self-similar nature of the fully turbulent jet. Analysis shows that the transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs across an axial span that decreases with increasing Reynolds number. Experiments with a long exposure time were conducted to evaluate the limitations of hardware averaging of the RSD signal in comparison with software averaging.

Non-contact experiments to quantify the microlayer evaporation heat transfer coefficient during isolated nucleate boiling regime

Experiments to understand the relationship between dynamics of superheat layer, microlayer evaporation and bubble growth process during single bubble formation under saturated pool boiling regime have been conducted. Thin film interferometer and rainbow schlieren deflectometry have been employed in tandem to simultaneously map the transient evolution of microlayer and superheat layer along with the bubble growth process. During initial time instances of growth process, heat flux dissipated in the microlayer region is determined to be as high as ~1 MW/m2 for the range of experimental conditions employed. As a result, a large temperature drop is observed in the microlayer region. As the bubble growth process enters its final stages, reduced temperature levels of the heated substrate result into a significant reduction in the depletion rate of the inner core region of microlayer, while the evaporation rate of its peripheral region is seen to increase. The consolidated evaporative heat transfer coefficient for the entire bubble cycle is determined to be ~140 kW/m2K for q″ = 50 kW/m2 and 170 kW/m2K for q″ = 80 kW/m2. The corresponding accommodation factor required for predicting the evaporative heat transfer coefficient values through kinetic theory-based model is determined to be ~0.015.

Adjusting single-axis acoustic levitators in real time using rainbow schlieren deflectometry.

Acoustic levitation uses focused high-intensity airborne ultrasound to hold particles in mid-air. It is becoming an important tool for experiments in spectrometry, lab-on-a-droplet, and display technologies. Nowadays, arrays of multiple small transducers can be used to build acoustic levitators; however, their performance depends on the optimal alignment. This work describes a simple method capable of visualizing a 2D projection of the acoustic field in real time using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Good agreement was found between the images obtained with this technique and simulations of the acoustic pressure. It was also found that the maximum amplitudes of the field were obtained with the levitator aligned so that the power consumption was minimum, showing another simple and affordable way to adjust the levitators. As a result of the alignment optimization, it was possible for the first time to levitate steel and mercury in a levitator constructed with off-the-shelf components. The schlieren technique was applied to the TinyLev acoustic levitation system, but it can be applied to visualize the acoustic potential produced by different types of levitation systems.

Real‐Time Visualization of Internal and External Concentration Fields in Multiphase Systems via Laser‐induced Fluorescence and Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry During and After Droplet Production

AbstractThe applicability of laser‐induced dye fluorescence (LIF) and rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) for qualitative, non‐invasive real‐time visualization of spatial concentration distributions in two standard reference systems is presented. The combination of LIF and RSD enables measurements inside and outside of droplets and is able to overcome limitations of both measurement techniques. Experimental results in the presence of interfacial phenomena are compared and the connection between inner and outer effects is shown during droplet production at a capillary.

Density field measurements of axisymmetric underexpanded microjets by rainbow schlieren deflectometry

Density field measurements of axisymmetric underexpanded microjets by rainbow schlieren deflectometry

Simultaneous rainbow schlieren deflectometry and OH* chemiluminescence imaging of a diesel spray flame in constant pressure flow rig

The physical and chemical phenomena that take place during fuel injection, entrainment and fuel-air mixing, cool-flame and ignition reaction, and combustion in diesel sprays still require extensive study. Global parameters such as liquid and vapor jet penetration lengths and spreading rates render useful yet still limited information. Understanding of the temporal evolution of the spray as it progresses through various steps is needed to develop advanced clean combustion modes and high-fidelity predictive models with sufficient accuracy. In this study, high-speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) and OH* chemiluminescence are used to simultaneously image fuel-air mixing, cool-flame reactions, ignition, flame propagation and stabilization, and combustion in a transient diesel-like flame. A constant pressure flow rig (CPFR) is used to conduct multiple injections in quick succession to obtain a statistically relevant dataset. n-heptane was injected at nominal supply pressure of 1000 bar from a single-hole diesel injector into ambient at pressure of 30 bar and temperature of 800 K. About 500 injections were performed and analyzed to reveal structural features of non-reacting and reacting regions of the spray, quantify jet penetration and spreading rates, and study cool-flame behavior, ignition, flame propagation and stabilization at lift-off length, and combustion at upstream and downstream locations.