New developments in assessing fluid flows

Scientists at Oxford University are developing a new Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) technique that will enable three-dimensional fluid velocity fields to be imaged reliably and accurately.

Over the last twenty years, a number of techniques have been explored to enable clear imaging of fluid flows, with the most advantageous being those that are non-intrusive. To date, one of the most important techniques has been particle image velocimetry (PIV). However, there is a major disadvantage with using PIV because considerable off-line processing is necessary to deconvolve the double image into a velocimetry field and three-dimensional information is difficult to retrieve.

In order to improve this technique, researchers in the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford University have developed the Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) technique that enables three-dimensional imaging of fast fluid flows in both an efficient and reliable manner.

The system is being developed with a number of significant modifications to specifically increase the reliability and accuracy of the measurements. In particular only one camera shot is now necessary, data processing is much easier, the imaging optics do not need to be as rigorous and three-dimensional information is more readily available.

The system has already been used successfully for a number of applications, including the imaging of gas flows in applications similar to those over gas turbine blades and in gas jets. Isis Innovation, Oxford University’s technology transfer company, still has opportunities available for companies interested in utilising this system in other applications.