Optimizing recording speed and interrogation window for rotating flow recorded in the ambient light: PIV analysis

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a cost-effective PIV analysis of vortex flows using a smartphone camera in ambient light, optimizing recording parameters and validating results with a vortex model.

Contribution

It introduces a stepwise optimization method for recording speed and interrogation window size in PIV analysis using simple equipment.

Findings

Successful PIV analysis with smartphone camera in ambient light

Optimized parameters show good agreement with Burger vortex model

Method applicable to opaque liquids surface flow measurement

Abstract

The present study reports PIV analysis of the surface flow profile using a smartphone camera in ambient light instead of high-tech equipment like a professional camera and high-power laser/ LEDs. Additionally, it provides a stepwise method for optimizing recording speed and interrogation window size for the vortex flow generated at different rotational frequencies of the magnetic stirrer. The optimization method has been explained with an example of the vortex flow generated by a magnetic stirrer. The analysis has been carried out using the Matlab-based application PIVlab. Finally, the optimized parameters have been compared with the Burger vortex model, which shows good agreement with the PIV data. The proposed method can also determine the sureface flow of opaque liquids.