Measurement of velocities in two-phase flow by laser velocimetry: Interaction between solid particles' motion and turbulence

In this work, an experimental method based on laser anemometry with Doppller effects is developed. This allows the measurement of velocities and their fluctuations in a flow of solid-liquid suspension in an ascendant vertical pipe. In order to distinguish between the signals coming from the continuous phase, water, and those of the glass bead particles larger than the Kolmogorov length scale, an electronic logic circuit was incorporated in the measuring equipment. This enabled the study of both the slip velocity of the solid-liquid suspension and the influence of the large particles on turbulence. The results show that a fine particle suspension, which represents a tracer, behaves as a homogeneous fluid. For large particles, we confirmed the existence of a slip velocity and the effect of particle size on the turbulence. The use of two distinct measurement volumes produces good results for the direct measurement of the turbulent length scales. The results show that the presence of solid particles modifies the turbulence characteristics.