
New Profile Sensor Advances Turbulence Measurement Techniques

In order to carry out research on complex flow processes, the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) has developed a special sensor that can be used to measure turbulent jet flows.
Turbulence is one of the last phenomena in the field of physics which has is still not understood. However, the rapid development of computer simulations and experimental technology has led to a better understanding turbulence. Phenomena like reducing the turbulence of ships by using micro-bubbles, or increasing the flow rate in pipelines by adding polymers are beneficial, but still not understood completely.
At the LZH, an innovative profile sensor is being developed, which can be used to determine the velocity profile of turbulent shear flows, with high spatial and temporal resolutions. The profile measurements can, for example, provide information on spatial-temporal correlations in turbulent flows. Furthermore, the sensor can be used for a number of technical applications such as flow measurements in high-pressure gas or oil pipelines, or for flow measurements for fuel injection nozzles, on airfoils and aircraft surfaces, or in aircraft turbo-engines.
The research work is in cooperation with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig (Dr. H. Müller), and is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).
Contact Person:
Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
Michael Botts
Hollerithallee 8
D-30419 Hannover
Tel.: +49 511 2788-151
Fax: +49 511 2788-100
E-Mail: bt@lzh.de